Title: Care of Pigs From Farrowing to Weaning | MU Extension
Headings: Care of Pigs From Farrowing to Weaning
Care of Pigs From Farrowing to Weaning
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Preparation for farrowing
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Care at farrowing
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Management — first few days after farrowing
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Management during lactation
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Sow feeding pointers
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Summary

Content: The symptom of E. coli-induced diarrhea is a watery, yellowish stool. Pigs are most susceptible from 1 to 4 days of age, at 3 weeks of age and at weaning. Although pigs are born with little disease resistance, this resistance increases as they absorb antibodies from their mothers' colostrum. Because pigs' ability to absorb antibodies decreases rapidly from birth, it becomes important that they feed on colostrum soon after birth. Colostrum provides the only natural disease protection they will have until their own mechanism for antibody production begins to function effectively at 4 to 5 weeks. Disease resistance is lowest at 3 weeks. It is wise to avoid unnecessary stress (castration, vaccination, worming) at this time. In treating common scours, orally administered drugs are usually more effective than injections. You should use a drug effective against the bacterial strain on your farm. A dry, warm, draft-free environment is of primary importance in reducing scours.