Describe the management of bonhams (piglets) from birth to weaning.
- Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question 8 - 2014
Question 8
Describe the management of bonhams (piglets) from birth to weaning.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Describe the management of bonhams (piglets) from birth to weaning.
- Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question 8 - 2014
Step 1
Sow Management
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Answer
The sow should be housed in a farrowing house maintained at a temperature of 20°C. She should be in a farrowing crate to ensure the safety of both the piglets and the sow during the birthing process.
Step 2
Immediate Care Post-Birth
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Immediately after birth, ensure the sow is treated with iodine solution to clean the navel of the piglets. This is crucial to prevent infections.
Step 3
Feeding and Nutrition
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Piglets should receive colostrum from the sow as soon as possible. After the initial suckling, provide creep feed that has a protein content of at least 21% (or supplemented with lysine) to support growth.
Step 4
Health and Monitoring
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Ensure that fresh water is always available for both the sow and the piglets. It is recommended to administer iron injections to prevent anemia, particularly in the piglets.
Step 5
Environmental Conditions
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The creep area where piglets are housed should be maintained at around 30°C, using lamps to provide a warm environment especially during the initial weeks.
Step 6
Physical Care Procedures
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Regular procedures should include castration or ear notching for identification, tail clipping to prevent tail biting, and cutting teeth to reduce injury to the sow during nursing.
Step 7
Weaning Process
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Piglets should be weaned at around 4 to 6 weeks of age, once they reach approximately 9 kg. This process should be gradual to minimize stress.
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