When Stress Stacks Up: 8 Ways to Minimize Weaning Stress in Pigs

When you consider the number of stressors wean pigs face, it’s no surprise that starting pigs in the nursery can be challenging, says Madie Wensley, a nutritionist for Pipestone Nutrition. So, the question becomes, what can you do to help? Here are eight tips to help reduce stress.

1.    Creep Feeding
Creep-feeding litters during the suckling period is one strategy that can acclimate pigs to solid feed before weaning, explains Wensley. Creep feeding should be considered for older wean-age pigs (over 21 days), as litter intake remains relatively low up until approximately 20 days of age. 

2.    Barn Preparation
Are the lights on? Is the heat on? Is the feed there? From Techmix Innovations Leader Denny McKilligan's perspective, early lifetime care, if done well, pays big dividends down the road. Make sure nipple waterers are turned on and cup waterers are full, feed is available in feeders, barn temperature and ventilation are at the appropriate set points, mats are in place, and brooders are lit well before pigs arrive at the site.

3.    Sorting Strategies
Upon arrival, sort lightweight pigs (approximately 10% of the population) into uniform body weight groups and the rest of the population into mixed groups. This reduces initial aggression in heavyweight pigs and provides greater feeding opportunities for lightweight pigs, Wensley adds.

4.    Nursery Feeding Program
Providing an appropriate phase feeding program to match the nutrient requirements and digestive abilities of weaned pigs is critical, she points out. Dietary phases are typically matched with the age and/or body weight of pigs at weaning, such that older, heavier weaned pigs (≥ 14 lbs.) can receive less total nursery feed compared to younger, lighter pigs. This is because nursery diets are often more expensive due to diet form and complexity.

5.    Mat Feeding
Mat feeding is used to stimulate group feeding behavior like suckling and has been shown to reduce fallout rates. Mat feed should be provided three to four times per day for up to 10 days post-placement depending on pig age at weaning, with younger pigs mat fed longer, Wensley says. Despite age, all pigs should be mat fed. This can be accomplished by taking one to two handfuls of feed from the back of the feeder and applying it in a straight line directly onto floor mats when you first get to the barn, prior to walking pens. Then repeat this process as you walk pens and again before leaving the barn. Mats should be located close to the feeder with the goal of driving pigs toward the feeder as frequently as possible. 

6.    Gruel Feeding
In addition to mat feeding, pens of small pigs should receive gruel three to four times per day up to 10 days post-placement. Add a small amount of water and feed to either round rotecna bowls or trough feeders, starting with a more liquid mixture (think oatmeal consistency) and gradually transitioning to a dry mixture over time. The key with gruel is to not overfill feeders so that feed begins to spoil if not fully consumed. Pigs should consume all gruel within 30 minutes of mixing. Another thing to consider is how and where gruel is being mixed – take care and prevent excess water from making the pen wet and chilling pigs, Wensley explains.

7.    Water Enrichment
The weaned pig goes into the weaning event slightly deficient in a couple of nutrients such as vitamin D and copper, McKilligan says. Then, stress causes a higher burn rate of micronutrients. He suggests producers enrich the water with nutrients as much as possible. 

“If you can get products through the water to support the pig nutritionally, that is helpful as they won’t eat much feed in the beginning. Water delivery of nutrients is an avenue to get the newly weaned pig some type of food – it’s more like chicken soup than actual feed, but small amounts of nutrients at a time help its brain and gut function at a critical point in its development,” he explains.

8.    Hospital Pens
Hospital pens should be equipped with a brooder to keep pigs warm and dry. Limit drafts to these pens. When considering the location of hospital pens in relation to wall fans and ceiling inlets, place pens of at-risk pigs in the center of the room, away from outside walls. In some cases, this may still require a solid partition to be added to the fence lines of pens to prevent excessive drafts, she says. Mat and gruel feeding this population of pigs for an extended period is necessary until full bellies are observed and pigs can be graduated to recovery pens. The target for caregivers should be to graduate 60% of pigs within five days of placement into hospital pens.

Keep reading:

Part 3: When Stress Stacks Up: The Secret to Weaning Success

Part 1: When Stress Stacks Up: It’s Time to Make Weaning a Better Experience