Processing Piglets

Feb 09, 2016

The newborn piglet is fragile and requires special care. They must nurse within the first few hours after birth in order to get antibodies to fight disease. The first milk, called colostrum, contains antibodies, is thick and yellow and is only produced for a short time. To help prevent infection, the navel stump is dipped in a disinfectant like iodine. Males that will not be used for breeding should be castrated (testicles removed) as early as possible to reduce stress, minimize bleeding and prevent the development of secondary sex characteristics. Other management practices carried out for identification or safety should be done as early as possible for similar reasons.

Needle Teeth
Needle teeth of baby pigs are removed to prevent injury to the sow during nursing. The teeth of pigs that are less than two days old should be clipped off at the gum line, making sure not to cut the gum. One-half to one-third of the tooth should be cut off in pigs that are more than two days old.

Castration
Male piglets are typically castrated at 3 days of age. Two incisions are made in the scrotal sac and the testicles pulled out. At this age there is very little bleeding or stress.

Ear notching:
Ear notching is done as a method of identification. There are many different systems that can be used. Ear notching is required for registration of purebred pigs. Purebred associations state which system they require. This is usually carried out at the same time the needle teeth are cut.

Iron Injection
Sow’s milk is naturally low in iron so pigs raised indoors must be given an iron injection by 3 days of age. This is typically given in the neck.

Tail Docking
To discourage tail biting or cannibalism, tails are docked within about 24 hours after birth. Some producers wait to dock the males until castration to make them easier to identify. Sterilized side cutters are most commonly used. Tail should be about 1 inch long (width of your thumb) from the place where the tail joins the body. 2016 Swine Skilathon Manual Page 10 Breeding Management P