Simple Tips to Raise Stronger, Healthier Piglets
Every piglet that survives and grows well adds value to your farm. Unfortunately, many piglets die during the first few days or weeks of life due to preventable causes such as poor nutrition, cold weather, disease, or accidental crushing by the sow.
The good news is that with proper care and management, farmers can significantly improve piglet survival rates and increase the productivity of their pig farm.
This guide explains practical steps every pig farmer can take to give piglets the best possible start in life.
Why Piglet Survival Matters
Healthy piglets mean:
- More pigs available for sale or breeding
- Better farm profits
- Lower treatment and replacement costs
- Stronger, healthier pigs as they grow
- Improved productivity of the sow
Every piglet saved contributes to the success of your farm.
Common Causes of Piglet Death
Understanding why piglets die helps farmers prevent future losses.
The most common causes include:
- Crushing by the sow
- Lack of colostrum (the first milk)
- Low birth weight
- Cold stress
- Diarrhoea (scours)
- Poor hygiene
- Starvation
- Respiratory infections
Most of these problems can be reduced with good management.
1. Make Sure Piglets Get Colostrum
Colostrum is the first milk produced by the sow after giving birth.
It is rich in:
- Antibodies that protect against disease
- Energy to keep piglets warm
- Nutrients for healthy growth
Piglets should drink colostrum within the first 6 hours of life, as this is when they absorb antibodies most effectively.
Piglets that miss out on colostrum are much more likely to become sick or die.
2. Keep Piglets Warm
Newborn piglets cannot regulate their body temperature well.
They need a warm, dry environment to survive.
Ideal conditions:
- Dry bedding
- No cold drafts
- A heated creep area or heat lamp if available
- Clean, dry floors
If piglets become cold, they stop feeding, become weak, and are more likely to die.
3. Prevent Crushing
One of the biggest causes of piglet deaths is being accidentally crushed by the sow.
To reduce this risk:
- Use farrowing crates where appropriate and practical.
- Provide a warm creep area that encourages piglets to rest away from the sow.
- Check the sow and piglets regularly, especially during the first three days after birth.
4. Keep the Farrowing Area Clean
A clean environment helps prevent infections.
Before farrowing:
- Clean and disinfect pens.
- Remove old bedding.
- Wash feeding and watering equipment.
- Keep the area as dry as possible.
Clean surroundings reduce the spread of bacteria and viruses.
5. Feed the Sow Properly
Healthy sows produce healthier piglets.
A sow needs:
- Good-quality feed
- Clean drinking water at all times
- Adequate vitamins and minerals
Well-fed sows produce more milk, helping piglets grow faster and stay healthier.
6. Watch for Weak Piglets
Some piglets are born smaller or weaker than others.
These piglets need extra attention.
Watch for piglets that:
- Cannot compete for milk
- Feel cold
- Cry continuously
- Stay away from the litter
- Appear weak or sleepy
Helping weak piglets nurse early can greatly improve their chances of survival.
7. Prevent Diarrhoea (Scours)
Diarrhoea is one of the leading causes of piglet deaths.
Signs include:
- Loose or watery faeces
- Weakness
- Dehydration
- Dirty tails
- Poor growth
Prevention includes:
- Good hygiene
- Clean drinking water
- Proper sow vaccination where recommended
- Early veterinary treatment
Do not ignore diarrhoea—it can spread quickly through a litter.
8. Provide Clean Water
While newborn piglets mainly rely on the sow's milk, both the sow and older piglets need access to clean, fresh water.
Dirty water can spread disease and reduce feed intake.
Check water systems every day to ensure they are clean and working properly.
9. Follow a Vaccination and Health Programme
Work with your veterinarian to develop a herd health plan.
This may include:
- Vaccinating breeding sows against important diseases
- Deworming when necessary
- Controlling external parasites
- Monitoring piglet health regularly
Prevention is always more effective and less costly than treating disease after it occurs.
10. Keep Good Farm Records
Recording information helps you identify problems and improve performance over time.
Track:
- Number of piglets born
- Number born alive
- Birth weights
- Piglet deaths and causes
- Weaning weights
- Vaccinations and treatments
Good records help you make better management decisions.
Daily Checklist for Piglet Care
Take a few minutes each day to check:
- ✔ Are all piglets nursing?
- ✔ Is the farrowing pen clean and dry?
- ✔ Are piglets warm and active?
- ✔ Is the sow eating and drinking well?
- ✔ Are any piglets showing signs of diarrhoea or weakness?
- ✔ Is clean water available?
Small daily checks can prevent major losses.
When Should You Call a Veterinarian?
Contact your veterinarian if you notice:
- Piglets refusing to suckle
- Severe diarrhoea
- Difficulty breathing
- High numbers of piglet deaths
- Weak piglets that do not improve
- A sow with fever, poor appetite, or reduced milk production
Early treatment often saves lives.
Final Thoughts
The first few days of a piglet's life are the most important. By ensuring piglets receive colostrum, keeping them warm, maintaining clean housing, preventing crushing, and following a good health programme, farmers can greatly improve survival rates.
Healthy piglets grow into healthy pigs, leading to better productivity, lower losses, and increased profits for your farm.
