Related Experiment Videos
Iron deficiency in outdoor pig production
1Konsulentenbüro für Krisenmanagement in der Schweinezucht, Dübendorf, Switzerland.
Summary
Iron supplementation significantly improves the health and weight of outdoor-reared piglets. This study demonstrates that iron injections reduce pre-weaning morbidity and mortality, leading to heavier piglets at weaning.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Veterinary Medicine
- Pig Production
Background:
- Outdoor-reared suckling piglets are often claimed to not require iron supplementation.
- Practical observations suggest lower performance in non-iron-supplemented outdoor piglets compared to supplemented ones.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of iron supplementation on the performance and health of outdoor-reared suckling piglets.
- To evaluate the necessity of iron supplementation in outdoor pig production systems.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 4691 piglets in a Hungarian outdoor pig production unit.
- Two groups: one without iron supplementation, and one receiving intramuscular iron injection on day 3 post-partum.
- Monitoring of animal weights, morbidity, mortality, and hemoglobin concentration.
Main Results:
- Iron-injected piglets were significantly heavier at weaning (P < 0.05).
- Iron supplementation led to significantly lower pre-weaning morbidity and mortality (P < 0.01).
- Higher blood hemoglobin concentration was observed in iron-supplemented piglets (P < 0.01).
Conclusions:
- Iron supplementation is crucial for outdoor-reared suckling piglets to prevent pre-weaning losses.
- Administering iron supports piglet health and optimizes weight performance in outdoor production.
- The findings challenge the notion that outdoor piglets do not need iron supplementation.