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Management Strategies In Farrowing House To Improve Piglet Pre-Weaning Survival And Growth, Ramon Muns Vila, Padet Tummaruk

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Post-partum and lactation are the most complex periods in the swine production chain. Newborn pigs are highly vulnerable due to relatively low body weight at birth and physiological immaturity. Most of the management strategies performed in farrowing houses are oriented to ensure a proper level of colostrum intake by the piglets. Colostrum is essential as an energy source and to provide passive immunity to piglets. Different farrowing supervising protocols have been comprehensively investigated to reduce early mortality as well as to assist newborn piglets in obtaining an optimal amount of colostrum and milk. However, little is known of the benefits …