CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF PIGLETS AT FARROWING TIME

• Prepare farrowing materials and equipment before farrowing dates.

• Using a clean dry cloth wipe the mucous membrane and other birth material from the mouth and nose of new born pigs. Assist the piglet in breathing by swinging its head down or slapping it for a few seconds.

• Tie string around umbilical cord two inches from the base and cut with a sharp pair of surgical scissors. Do not pull the cord away from the body while cutting so as not to cause hernia. Dip injured tip of cord into bottle of tincture of iodine.

• Place piglets in piglet box underneath a heater. Whenever necessary, a 100-watt bulb is enough to provide the desired temperature. This can be changed to a 50-watt bulb after 14 days of brooding.

• Cut the needle teeth. This is done by holding the pig firmly by one hand with three fingers supporting the jaw and the thumb pressing against the back of the neck. Insert the forefinger to one side of the mouth just behind the needle teeth reaching for the tip of the tongue. With a side- cutting nipper or ordinary nail cutter cut close to the gum level. Do not make a slanted cut or leave jagged edges for these are likely to cause injuries to the gums and tongue of the piglet and teats of the mother. Clean and disinfect nipper before working with another piglet.

• Let the piglets suck the first milk (colostrums). Colostrum contains anti- bodies needed by the baby pigs to fight against diseases during the early life.

• Iron reserves in the body of a newborn piglet is consumed in a week's time. Injection of commercial iron Dextran is necessary to prevent piglet or newborn anemia. Repeat administration 14 days after birth or as soon as symptoms are detected.

• Wean piglets at four to six weeks of age. When weaning is done earlier than 56 days, a sow can farrow from four to five times in two years since sows usually come in heat from three to seven days after weaning. The proper procedure in weaning is to remove the sow, leaving the piglets in familiar surroundings.

• It is also important that all other routinely management practices like deworming, castration, and ear notching or tattooing are carried out before weaning.