CATDOLL : CATDOLL: Is there a future for nursery pigs in the breeding stage?

Is there a future for nursery pigs in the breeding stage?

There are three main stages in the growth and development of pigs: suckling stage, nursery stage, and growth and fattening stage.

1. Suckling stage: refers to the period from birth to weaning of piglets, generally 3 to 5 weeks.

Suckling piglets are in the early stages of life and are easily affected by the adverse effects of the external environment and become sick. Poor feeding and management can also lead to the death of piglets. Therefore, strengthening the feeding and management of suckling piglets is a key link in improving the survival rate of piglets and the efficiency of pig farming.

2. Nursery stage: refers to the period from weaning of piglets to the end of nursing, which is usually 5 weeks. After weaning, piglets lose the environment of living with sows, and the feed type and environment change, which is a great stress on their growth and development. Pigs in this stage are prone to lose weight, weak constitution, increased morbidity, and improper feeding and management are prone to cause stiff pigs or even death.

Therefore, it is very important to do a good job in feeding and managing piglets before and after weaning.

3. Growth and fattening stage: refers to the stage from the end of piglet nursery to the entry into the growing house for breeding until the slaughter, which is generally 16.5 weeks (about 70 to 180 days old).

This stage is the fastest growth and development period for pigs, and it is also an important period for pig farmers to obtain economic benefits. In feeding management, we should strengthen nutrition supply, provide sufficient clean drinking water, and do a good job in environmental sanitation and disease prevention inside and outside the house to ensure the full growth and development of pigs.