How to ensure piglets get enough high-quality colostrum
Written by Eduard De La Torre, technical department
The use of preventive measures is one of the essential guidelines in disease control, preventing the onset of pathologies, reducing the use of antibiotic treatments and allowing for maximum efficiency in production yields. In the case of piglets, the acquisition of good immunity through is the first step in getting off to a good start and providing the piglet with protection during its first weeks of life.
The emergence of hyperprolific sows in recent years has led to the number of live piglets born exceeding the number of mammary glands, making colostrum production the limiting factor. It is considered that 250 ml is the minimum colostrum intake per piglet to achieve adequate immunity. Piglets are born with limited energy reserves, and beyond the immune boost, colostrum intake is essential to allow the piglet to regulate its temperature and energy levels, which are basic requirements for survival and good lactation.
To achieve adequate colostrum consumption, we must focus on the two protagonists of the story: the sow, improving the quality and quantity of colostrum, and the piglet, ensuring maximum consumption.
FACTORS AFFECTING THE QUANTITY AND QUALITY OF COLOSTRUM PRODUCED BY SOWS
- Number of births: Multiparous sows, with greater antigenic exposure due to their older age, tend to produce higher quality colostrum, i.e., with a higher amount of immunoglobulins.
- Individual variability: The average colostrum production in a sow is estimated to be 3.5 kg, but with a range between 1.9 and 5.3 kg.
- Nutrition: Energy intake and high-fiber diets (not all fibers work) have been shown to improve colostrum production, mainly in terms of fat content, which is key to its energy contribution. With regard to immunoglobulins, the use of certain medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) can increase the supply of immunoglobulins in colostrum.
- Induced births: Early induction of labor can significantly reduce colostrum intake by offspring, not so much due to lack of production, but rather due to lack of intake by piglets, which are not yet sufficiently mature and are underweight at birth due to premature induction. Some authors have shown that the administration of high doses of oxytocin postpartum allows for an increase in immunoglobulins in the last period of the colostral phase.
- Obstetric interventions: Dystocic births decrease colostrum production. Measures to prevent constipation in sows and an adequate peripartum formula make births faster and avoid obstetric interventions.
- Environmental stress: Thermal, light, and noise stress, as well as any situation that activates the sympathetic nervous system, with the resulting secretion of adrenaline, will interfere with the birthing process, inhibiting the secretion of oxytocin and causing vasoconstriction, reducing blood flow to the uterus and decreasing the supply of oxygen and nutrients necessary for the required muscle contraction. In the case of colostrum production, sympathetic activation decreases the production of prolactin and oxytocin, as well as the milk ejection reflex.
- Prior intake: to cope with farrowing, especially if it is hyperprolific, it is important to have sufficient reserves for the expulsion of the fetuses. Glycogen stores are insufficient if sows begin farrowing after a long period of fasting, and a lack of glucose can compromise a good labor, so it is recommended that animals have eaten at least three hours before farrowing begins in order to maintain glucose homeostasis.
- Access to water: Essential.
- Increased passive immunity: Vaccination in sows induces a humoral and cellular immune response against the pathogen in question, which can be transferred to offspring via colostrum. It is important to take into account this passive immunity transferred to piglets, as it can interfere with vaccinations given to suckling piglets during the first weeks of life.
FACTORS AFFECTING COLOSTRUM UPTAKE BY PIGLETS
- Birth weight and vitality: Heavier and more vigorous piglets are able to ingest more colostrum. It is estimated that for every 100-gram increase in birth weight, the piglet is able to extract an extra 28g of colostrum.
- Competition and litter size: Despite the ability of sows to produce more colostrum, hyperprolific births have reduced the amount of colostrum produced per piglet in the litter. The reduction is estimated at between 22 and 42 grams less per extra piglet. In hyperprolific farrowings, it is essential to adopt management measures such as split suckling to allow all piglets to be properly suckled. For immunological reasons, it is important that piglets are suckled through their mother.
- Delayed suckling: Adequate thermal comfort through heating pads, lamps, and proper drying of piglets after birth reduces temperature loss and improves vitality.
- Limited absorption: The intestine’s ability to absorb IgG decreases as the hours pass. Twelve hours after birth, the piglet is only able to absorb 25% of the antibodies ingested.
- Monitoring births: Faster births mean better vitality and greater colostrum intake. No rushing. High doses of oxytocin can lead to a higher number of stillbirths. Pharmacological interventions should only be used when necessary.
- Handling piglets: During the first 24 hours, postpone any type of handling of the piglets, beyond those intended for the correct intake of colostrum.
Good colostrum intake is the first step in preventing disease and can be a highly effective tool in reducing the use of antibiotic treatments. Animal management, the use of adequate facilities, and good nutrition are the three basic pillars for taking the first steps in developing competent immunity.
Good colostrum intake is the first step in preventing disease and can be a highly effective tool in reducing the use of antibiotic treatments. Animal management, the use of adequate facilities, and good nutrition are the three basic pillars for taking the first steps in developing competent immunity.
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