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Raising Piglets in Autumn: Care, Feeding, and Housing Conditions in Cold Weather
Raising Piglets in the Autumn Period
"Raising Piglets in the Autumn Period."
First and foremost, it is important to ensure disease prevention, follow sanitary and veterinary procedures, and create a well-planned and balanced feeding regimen for piglets. Meeting all these conditions together will strengthen the piglets' health and increase their survival rate.
The most critical months for piglets are the first two. This is the most vulnerable period in a piglet's life.
Even if farrowing went well, piglets may pick up infections. Therefore, it is crucial to provide proper care and create optimal housing conditions.
For example, the housing facility for piglets must maintain an optimal ambient temperature of 30–36°C.
Pigs are generally sensitive to cold, so the first priority is to prepare the housing facility for rearing and keeping. There must be adequate space for the piglets, and the facility must be well insulated. If it is cold, feed will be wasted, as the piglets' bodies will direct energy toward warmth rather than growth and development.
It is recommended to use infrared lamps or incandescent lamps in the facility. Solar UV radiation provides vitamin D for calcium absorption.
The foundation of animal growth is proper feeding. Piglets require an easily digestible, varied diet balanced in all nutrients.
Feeding should be at least four times daily, preferably at the same time each day. It is especially important not to overfeed piglets, as their stomachs are small and cannot process large quantities of feed.
In the autumn-winter period, carrots, boiled potatoes and beets, and chopped hay should be gradually introduced into porridge, while fresh grass should be added in spring and summer.
If piglets are healthy, growing well, and have a good appetite, they should gradually be transitioned from a dietary to a standard ration, based on concentrates, root and tuber crops, and grass.
Oats should not be fed in large quantities, as their hulls contain high levels of fiber that reduce the digestibility of nutrients.
Root and tuber crops must be of good quality, thoroughly washed, not frozen, and not rotten.
For healthy and active growth, piglets need essential nutrients, vitamins, and vitamin D.
In summer, it is sufficient to provide grass, from which they obtain the necessary vitamins, minerals, and protein. However, in the autumn-winter period, piglets are kept indoors where there is no sunlight or fresh grass.
Therefore, it is essential to accustom piglets to supplements, feed additives, and specialized compound feeds early on.
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