The first challenge in weaning piglets is the abrupt change from a mother-centered environment to a more independent one. Before weaning, piglets are used to staying close to their mother, living with their siblings in a stable and familiar setting. When they are suddenly separated, it can be very stressful, affecting their ability to adapt and slowing down their growth. To ease this transition, the number of suckling piglets should gradually decrease over time, especially in the 5–6 days before weaning, ensuring a smoother adjustment period. This method helps reduce stress and supports better weight gain.
Another key issue is the timing of feed introduction. Piglets may not be properly introduced to solid feed during the nursing phase, leading to poor eating habits after weaning. Without proper supplementation, their growth can stall. It's important to start feeding them at around 7 days old, so that when the sow’s milk production decreases, the piglets are already accustomed to eating solid food. This ensures a smooth transition and prevents nutritional deficiencies.
Poor feeding practices also play a major role. After weaning, piglets often face changes in both feed quality and feeding frequency. The amount of water in the feed may decrease, and the number of meals per day might drop sharply from 6–8 times to just once or twice. These sudden changes can hinder their development. When purchasing pigs, it's essential to ask about their feeding history—ensuring that feed quality and quantity are gradually improved, forage is increased, and feeding frequency is adjusted appropriately.
Environmental changes can also be challenging. Before weaning, piglets are in a warm, social setting with their mother. After weaning, they are often moved to a new space, which can be isolating and stressful, especially in cold weather. This can lead to health issues, such as respiratory infections or diarrhea, and in severe cases, even death.
Inadequate management practices further contribute to problems. Many farmers keep pigs in crowded, unclean conditions where pigs eat, sleep, and defecate in the same area. Poor sanitation increases the risk of diseases like swine flu, diarrhea, and other infections, all of which negatively impact the pigs’ health and growth.
Lastly, improper timing of vaccinations and castration can add additional stress. When piglets are bought from farmers, they are often vaccinated and castrated at the same time as weaning. This combination of three stressful events—separation, vaccination, and surgery—can cause prolonged recovery and slow growth, leading to "stiff pigs" that don’t develop properly. This not only affects their health but also results in economic losses for the farmer.
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