Health and sanitary management of contemporary swine herds is the “cornerstone” of animal health status and productivity. Development and implementation of sanitation/cleaning and disinfection protocols usually concern farrowing and weaners units and only rarely gestation facilities. However, sows spent approximately 80% of their productive life in these facilities and is the second, after feed conversion rate, factor that affects the profitability of a swine herd. A protocol of sanitary management of gestating sows unit should include the following: Cleaning and disinfection of empty pens before transferring sows in them. • Removal of feaces, persistent dirt and dust from flooring and…
The first days of a pigletís life are crucial and decisive for its total development and growth since colostrum contains irreplaceable antibodies. Therefore, a poor start reflects a poor end due to unsatisfactory slaughter weight. The use of milk substitutes during lactation ensures a good and homogenous start for the entire litter. Moreover, milk substitutes help in the survival of the litter in cases of sowís death or the achievement of equivalence among littermates when the sow does not produce adequate milk or lactates too many piglets. Used in the first two weeks after weaning milk substitutes maintain pigletsí supply…
Feeding curve is indicative. It is important to feed the sow according to her body condition. During lactation it is important to adjust the provided quantity of feed to the sow in order to achieve optimum milk production and her ideal nutritional status.
Mycotoxins are present in the 25% of the worldwide grain production. They cause significant economic losses in livestock production and some of them where identified to have carcinogenic and teratogenic effects on humans due to their transfer and accumulation in milk and meat. Clinical symptoms are time and dose dependent. When feedstuff is contaminated with more than one mycotoxin, the toxic effects are additive and sometimes synergistic. Clinical symptoms of known mycotoxins are usually subclinical or chronic but with significant impact on productivity. The table below enlists the symptoms that can be recorded in swine herds. Mycotoxins Effects/ mode of…