Timely euthanasia of low birth weight and compromised piglets prevents unnecessary suffering, provides littermates with a greater chance at success, and offers some economic benefits by reducing continued care and feed costs. Blunt force trauma (BFT) remains the most commonly…
Effectiveness of a non-penetrating captive bolt for on-farm euthanasia of low viability piglets
Swine producers must inevitably deal with on-farm euthanasia of low viability and compromised piglets. Compromised piglets are of low economic value and may be underweight, weak, malformed, emaciated or have other conditions that reduce their welfare and long-term survival. At…
How does drinking behavior influence feed intake and the development of behavior problems in newly weaned piglets?
Drinker style affects multiple aspects of production and behavior of the newly weaned piglet. Nipple drinkers contribute to high levels of water wastage, regardless of weaning age. Float bowl drinkers limit water consumption due to soiled water, and result in…
Factors affecting the behavior of early-weaned piglets
Early weaned piglets often develop belly-nosing and sucking or chewing on the navels or ears of other pigs. This behavior is considered a problem because recipient pigs can develop lesions, and those piglets that perform the behavior grow more slowly.…