Processing Baby Pigs

1. Processing Baby Pigs

2. What to do when they are born? • Provide zone heating with heat lamps, heat pads • The first milk, colostrum, is rich in disease-preventing immunogloblins; the very first colostrum is the richest and best, because the quality of colostrum declines over time • Prevent chilling so piglets stay warm and active • Split suckle. Remove part of the litter for one to two hour periods the first 12 hours after farrowing. Remove the largest, strongest piglets for a 1-2 hour period in the morning and afternoon

3. Processing Piglets • Weigh and record • Clip needle teeth • Clip and treat the umbilical cord • Iron administration • Ear Notching • Tail docking • Castration • May process on day of birth or delay a few days

4. Needle Teeth • Piglets have 8 razor sharp needle teeth on top and bottom jaws • Clip to prevent harming other piglets and the sow

5. Umbilical Cord • The umbilical cord needs little attention • If piglet is not experiencing excessive bleeding, clip to 4-5 inches and dip cord in iodine • Tie off cord if bleeding

6. Iron Supplement • An Iron supplement is necessary to prevent anemia in pigs • Administer iron within one to three days

7. Ear Notching • Ear Notching is a way of identifying the piglet both individually and by litter

8. Tail Docking • An undocked tail is a very convenient target for tail biting or cannibalism • To reduce tail biting, dock (or cut off) the tail of newborn piglets within about 24 hours after birth • Cut about one inch long

9. Castration • Castration or removal of testicles is best done between 4 and 14 days old • Hold piglet, slice testicle, squeeze out then cut off • Little bleeding, quick and relatively painless