Q. How critical is it to use a dietary antibiotic in the starter phase?
Research conducted with various types of nursery conditions has almost universally demonstrated a 10 to 20% improvement in performance responses when antibiotics or antibacterial agents are used during the starter period. The magnitude of the gain and feed-conversion improvements largely depends upon the animal's health status, the cleanliness, environmental, and management conditions within the nursery facility. The better the sanitation conditions, the smaller will be the performance differences. Selection of an appropriate antibiotic should be in consultation with university Extension specialists, technical service individuals associated with the feed industry, and/or your veterinarian.
Q. Should zinc oxide and/or copper sulfate be used throughout the starter phase?
High dietary levels of zinc oxide and/or copper sulfate have been found to enhance the growth rate of weaned pigs by approximately 15%. Concentrations up to 3,000 ppm zinc and/or 250 ppm copper have been found to result in this growth response. In some cases, the combination of these two mineral sources has had an additive effect on pig growth responses, while in other cases the use of one source appears adequate. It is, however, necessary to use the zinc oxide form. The growth response will be obtained throughout the starter phase, but the use of high zinc levels should be discontinued after three to four weeks.
Q. I receive two-week-old pigs for my nursery from two states away. How should I start these pigs on their nursery diets, and what diets should I feed them?
Because transported pigs will most likely arrive in a dehydrated state, the most important nutritional item for consideration upon their arrival is to provide an ample quantity of water. An essential management practice is to make sure the environment is comfortable and dry. Sprinkling the starter diet or a small quantity of oat groats on the mat close to the feeder allows the pigs to become acquainted with the feeder. Starting pigs on feed correctly and making sure they consume water and feed are critical.
Q. How long should I feed a Starter-1 diet to two- and three-week-old pigs that were light in weight at weaning?
There is a long-term benefit to feeding a Starter-1 diet for at least one week and preferably two weeks to all nursery pigs. Lightweight pigs, particularly those weaned at two weeks that weigh eight pounds or less, should be fed a Starter-1 diet for at least two weeks and preferably to a body weight of 15 pounds before changing to the Starter-2 diet.
Q. How much plasma protein should be included in Starter-1 and -2 diets?
Spray-dried plasma protein from swine or cattle blood is equally effective and has been a major contribution to the success of early weaning programs. The product is, however, expensive, and its dietary level and length of feeding should be closely monitored. With extremely early (< 10 days) or lightweight (< 8 lb.) pigs, the diet should contain 5 to 7% plasma protein, whereas pigs from 18 to 21 days of age should have a diet that contains 3 to 5% plasma protein. Lower dietary inclusion levels of less than 3% are frequently used in an effort to reduce feed costs. When added at levels greater than 5%, other amino acids (e.g., methionine) may need to be added to the diet.
Q. Are starter pigs sensitive to soybean meal?
Raw soybeans or poorly processed soybean meal contains a protein (þ conglycinin) that serves as an antigen (stimulates the immune system) in the intestinal tract. Younger animals are more sensitive to this soybean protein than older animals. Soybeans that have been processed to destroy much of this antigenic factor have been produced (isolated soy protein concentrates), but they are more expensive than soybean meal. The inclusion of plasma protein and lactose in the Starter-1 diet has been shown to lessen the antigenic effect of soybean meal.
Q. How important are oats in the diets of weaned pigs?
Oats appear to be one of those feed ingredients that is "well-liked" by young animals, and they consume them readily. Oat protein is of high quality, and the carbohydrate is highly digestible. However, oats can be a fairly expensive feedstuff compared to other grains. Dehulled oats (oat groats) are more digestible than whole oats but are also more costly. When dehulled oats are used, a level of 10% is recommended and should be removed after the Starter-1 diet is withdrawn. The hull of whole oats contains fiber that has a low digestibility.
Q. Do I need fishmeal in starter diets?
Fishmeal is an ingredient that can either be of high or poor quality, depending on its source of origin and the processing method used to dry it. Fishmeal (select grade) contains a source of protein (amino acids) that can be used effectively by weanling pigs. When the cost is competitive on a lysine basis, dietary levels of 20% have been used in pig starter diets; but in most cases 2.5 to 10% is the more common level. The decision to use the product should be based on its relative cost of lysine contributed and the quality of the product.
Q. I can purchase some sugar products at a local bakery or from an ingredient supplier. Can I substitute these for lactose in starter pig diets?
Many by-products high in milk products or processed cereals contain high levels of simple carbohydrates (glucose, sucrose, and fructose) and are an effective replacement for lactose in starter pig diets. The manufacturer of these products should be able to provide you with the composition of the product and oftentimes the results of weanling pig research studies.
Q. My veterinarian has diagnosed mulberry heart disease in my pigs and suggests I use high levels of vitamin E. What is the current recommendation?
High levels of vitamin E (100,000 IU/ton) appear to be of some benefit in reducing the mulberry heart condition in pigs in many but not all cases. Research has, however, not consistently shown that high levels of vitamin E or selenium in the starter diets can prevent or eliminate this problem. An improved vitamin E and selenium status of the sow would be of greater benefit in preventing this disease condition in weaned pigs.
Q. My pigs demonstrate excessive bleeding upon birth or castration. What is the cause and how can this be prevented?
Excessive bleeding occurs when vitamin K is inadequate in the animal's body. Vitamin K is either synthesized in the intestinal tract by microorganisms or it is provided in the diet as vitamin K (menadione). The presence of molds in the diet or extremely high dietary levels of antibiotics can interfere with vitamin-K synthesis in the intestinal tract. A vitamin-K injection and/or proper fortification levels to the sow and pig diets should prevent the problem.
Q. Should I split the sexes in the nursery for better performance responses?
From a nutritional standpoint, there is no reason to split the sexes this early; however, you would be handling smaller pigs which will prevent later sorting and pig-fighting problems.
Q. Should Vitamin C be added to my starter diets?
Research evidence suggests that the pig, upon weaning, will have an improved growth rate to 35 days of age when vitamin C is added to the diet. As pigs are weaned earlier or are lighter in body weight, there is a greater chance of attaining the positive responses from vitamin C. It is critical that a stabilized form be used when the vitamin is incorporated in the starter diet.
Q. How effective are the wean to finish facilities?
This is a relatively new concept in the swine industry where weaned pigs are placed in a pen and remain there until they reach market weight. If the environment and health status of the young pigs can be maintained postweaning, this type of facility has produced good results. Obviously more total pens are needed, as the pigs will remain in these pens for at least five to six weeks longer than if they had been placed in the pens at 40-60 lbs.