In pig production, piglets from weaning until 60-75 days of age are generally referred to as nursery piglets. This is another important production stage following the management of suckling piglets. The biggest challenge we face when raising nursery piglets is that their internal organs and immune systems are not fully developed, so they cannot withstand a complex stressful environment and have a high incidence of disease. In fact, raising nursery pigs well takes just 3 steps—but have you put them into practice?
Step one: Reduce environmental stressors that should be avoided. First, the temperature in the nursery affects piglets greatly. Under cold stress, piglets’ immunity declines, growth slows, and disease incidence is high. In production, when the temperature in the nursery is below 20℃, measures should be taken to raise it. When the temperature is not too low, infrared lamps and electric floor heating panels are commonly used. When the temperature is below 10℃, hot-air heating, radiators, or other methods should be used. Second, nurseries house large numbers of pigs at high density, and the air contains large amounts of dust that can carry certain viruses or bacteria, increasing the risk of disease. Using pelleted feed, cleaning regularly, and working carefully are all effective dust-control measures. Finally, there is no need to say much about cleaning the pig housing and providing ventilation.
Step two: Follow the “three things to maintain and three transitions” in feeding and management. After weaning and leaving the sow, keep nursery piglets in their original pen for 1 weeks. After moving them to the nursery, keep them on their original feed for 1-2 weeks. Keep them in their original litter when moving and grouping them; do not casually mix pens or regroup pigs. For nursery piglets aged 2-3 weeks, gradually transition from suckling-period feed to weaned-pig feed. This can be achieved by gradually changing the nutritional composition of the diet or the mixing ratio of the two feeds, allowing for a smooth feed change. The feeding regimen should also be transitioned gradually, including the types and forms of feed; with meal feeding, the number and timing of feedings and the amount of feed provided; and feeding procedures and schedules. Operating procedures should also be transitioned gradually, including lighting in the nursery, heating and ventilation measures, and the work habits of the staff.
Step three: In today’s environment, where prevention is more important than treatment, scientific health management measures are essential for nursery pigs. Here, we would like to remind everyone to move beyond the misconception that antibiotics should be used to prevent disease. In practice, we all find that antibiotics cannot address the root problem of prevention. Moreover, antibiotic-free farming is now a major trend, and both the government and consumers are paying close attention. From the perspective of our own interests, we should use as few chemical drugs as possible. Once antibiotic resistance develops, there may truly be no effective medication available if pigs become ill later. In addition, nursery pigs’ internal organs are inherently fragile, and the large amounts of toxins associated with using antibiotics for health management can cause further harm, weaken their resistance, and keep pig morbidity high—making the approach counterproductive.