Outside Fostering Routines

(PRRS free units)

1^st 3 days post-farrowing
1	Do not disturb litter for 6 hours post-farrowing
2	Even litter sizes between sows and gilts which have finished farrowing 48 hours previously
3	Each gilt to have a minimum of 9 strong piglets
4	Place weaker piglets onto sows (3^rd parity plus)
5	Ideally provide artificial colostrum to weak piglets
Day 3
	Baycox piglets and tail dock
Day 7
1	Gather weak piglets and move to new farrowing paddock
2	Place onto newly farrowed (24 hours) sow (not a gilt). Her piglets can be placed onto gilts of the same week
3	Lock sow and piglets into arc
4	Administration of a sedative may be necessary
5	Ensure foster mother has sufficient functioning teats which are long and narrow
6	Ensure all additional piglets are ear notched monitor piglet deaths for fostering failure
Day 14
1	Gather weak piglets and wean - move to milker pens
2	It is important to ensure more than 7 piglets suckle sow/gilt to prevent lactation oestrus
3	If adult sows are unable to rear 10+ piglets, investigate why
General
	Monitor the numbers of notched piglets in the pre-weaning mortality figures