NEWBORN PIGLET CARE: TECHNICAL GUIDE TO IMPROVE SURVIVAL RATE AND HEALTH
1. Introduction to newborn piglet care
Newborn piglet care is the most important stage in pig farming, directly determining survival rate, health, and growth performance. Newborn piglets are very weak, easily affected by cold stress, diarrhea, and can die quickly if not properly managed.
In the first 24 hours after birth, every care action is critical.
2. Why is newborn piglet care important?
Newborn piglets have several physiological weaknesses:
Unable to regulate body temperature
Almost no immunity if they do not receive colostrum
Easily lose heat, leading to rapid weakness
Risk of being crushed by the sow without a proper creep area
Therefore, proper care helps:
Reduce mortality rate
Improve disease resistance
Ensure uniform growth
3. Preparing the farrowing house before birth
A well-prepared farrowing environment can reduce piglet risks by up to 50%.
Basic requirements:
Dry, clean, non-slippery flooring
No direct drafts
Separate creep area for piglets
Properly functioning heat lamp
Piglet creep area:
Ideal temperature: 30–34°C
Clean and dry bedding
Separated from the sow’s resting area
4. Immediate care after birth
4.1 Drying and warming immediately
Right after birth:
Use a clean towel to dry the entire piglet
Dry the nose and mouth first
Move piglets to the warm creep area immediately
Cold stress can cause death within hours.
4.2 Initial health check
Healthy piglets:
Steady breathing
Active movement
Quickly searching for teats
Weak piglets:
Lying still or trembling
Weak or abnormal breathing
Poor responsiveness
5. Colostrum intake as early as possible
Colostrum acts as a natural vaccine for piglets.
Benefits of colostrum:
Provides antibodies
Supplies energy
Reduces risk of diarrhea
Ensuring proper intake:
Prioritize smaller piglets
Monitor each piglet within the first 6–12 hours
Assist weak piglets in reaching teats
6. Care for weak piglets and prevention of crushing
There are always weaker piglets in each litter.
Management measures:
Mark weak piglets for close monitoring
Assist with separate feeding if necessary
Place them in the creep area after nursing
Observe the sow when lying down
This is a common cause of mortality if not properly controlled.
7. Hygiene management
Hygiene directly affects piglet health.
Required practices:
Keep flooring dry at all times
Remove manure regularly
Clean sow teats before nursing
Disinfect farming tools
8. Abnormal signs to monitor
During newborn piglet care, watch for:
Not suckling or weak suckling
Diarrhea (white, yellow, or watery feces)
Cold stress, trembling, piling behavior
Weak or abnormal breathing
Isolation from the litter and slow response
9. When to call a veterinarian
Contact a veterinarian immediately if:
Multiple piglets are weak or dying in the litter
Piglets do not improve after warming
Severe diarrhea and dehydration occur
Sow has low milk production, fever, or mastitis
Widespread refusal to suckle occurs
10. Conclusion
Proper newborn piglet care should focus on four key factors:
Immediate warming after birth
Early colostrum intake
Clean, dry, and safe housing
Close monitoring of weak piglets
Following correct procedures significantly increases survival rates, reduces disease, and improves overall pig farming efficiency.
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