Third, the health management of nursery pigs
The health control of nursery pigs involves four main aspects: water and medication, feed and medicine, vaccination, and daily treatment. Proper health management is crucial to ensure the survival and growth of weaned piglets, especially during this sensitive period.
1. Water and Medication
Weaning is a major stressor for piglets. During this time, they often refuse to eat but quickly adapt to drinking from waterers. Adding electrolytes and vitamins to the drinking water can help reduce stress and improve their immunity. The best method is to use a water dosing system connected to the pipeline, which ensures accurate and efficient administration. However, due to the high cost of such devices, some farms install valves in the water supply lines of each pen and connect the doser when needed. This approach allows for flexible use across different pens.
Since piglets lose the protection provided by maternal antibodies after weaning, they become more susceptible to infections. In the first 1–2 weeks, broad-spectrum antibiotics can be added to the drinking water. The choice of medication should vary depending on the season and local disease outbreaks. It’s important to ensure that the drugs are water-soluble; if not, they must be stirred continuously to prevent sedimentation and potential harm to the pigs.
2. Feed and Medication
Copper and zinc are essential minerals that support growth and have antibacterial properties. In the 1980s, copper was widely used in weanling pig diets, and many farms judged feed quality based on the color of the manure. Some manufacturers added excessive copper to feeds that didn’t require it, leading to environmental pollution. Later, zinc replaced copper, offering better results in preventing E. coli and improving growth rates when used at concentrations above 2000mg/kg. However, its use should be limited in duration.
Antibiotics were also commonly added to feed to prevent diarrhea in newly weaned pigs. However, since these pigs have low feed intake, the effectiveness is less than with water-based treatments. In later stages, most farms use branded feed, making it harder to add medication. If the feed is made in-house or specially processed, it’s easier to incorporate medicines. In poorly managed farms, respiratory diseases often appear two weeks post-weaning, when maternal antibodies start to wane. To prevent this, medications can be added to feed 7–10 days before symptoms appear. For drugs prone to resistance, a pulsed administration approach is recommended.
3. Vaccination
Vaccination is essential for preventing high-risk diseases. Low-risk diseases may not justify the cost. Maternal antibodies offer temporary protection, but their levels decline over time. If vaccines are administered too early, the existing antibodies may neutralize the vaccine, leading to immune failure. If given too late, the piglets may still be vulnerable to infection. Therefore, antibody testing is critical before developing a vaccination schedule. Once established, regular monitoring of antibody levels is necessary. If levels drop, adjustments should be made promptly to ensure effective immunization.
In large-scale farms, where all-in-all-out systems are common, the overall health is usually good, and diseases are easier to manage. Typically, only essential vaccines like those for swine fever and foot-and-mouth disease are administered. Other vaccines may be used seasonally or as needed, such as for pseudorabies. Farms with poor hygiene or layout issues may need more vaccines to control bacterial diseases. Common vaccines include those for Haemophilus parasuis, Mycoplasma pneumonia, atrophic rhinitis, pleuropneumonia, and streptococcal encephalitis. However, it's advisable to minimize the use of vaccines, especially bacterial ones, to avoid additional stress. If necessary, they should be avoided when combined with water or medication treatments. At around 60 days old, nursery pigs should be treated for internal and external parasites to support their growth and improve feed efficiency.
4. Daily Treatment
Nursery pigs are typically raised on slatted floors with free-access feeding troughs, so the workload is manageable. However, farmers should closely monitor piglets, especially those weaned within the first week. Sick animals should be isolated and treated immediately. After treatment, a mark should be placed on the pig’s back to track the drug used and the number of doses, with records kept for reference.
Common diseases in weaned pigs include diarrhea, respiratory issues, and joint swelling. If multiple pigs show similar symptoms rapidly, antibiotics should be added to the drinking water based on clinical signs. Veterinary diagnosis through autopsy and lab tests is essential to identify the cause and implement quick control measures. In farms with lower health standards, some preventive drugs may be added to feed 1–2 weeks before symptoms appear to reduce the severity of outbreaks.
Dried Squid Body
Dried Squids are a popular snack in many Asian countries, especially in Japan, Korea, and Thailand. They are made by cleaning and drying fresh squids until all the moisture is removed, resulting in a chewy and flavorful snack.
Pure dried squids are made without any additional flavorings or seasonings, so they have a natural taste that is slightly salty and briny. They are often served as a bar snack or as a topping for rice dishes, noodles, or salads.
Dried squids are a good source of protein and low in fat, making them a healthier snack option than many other processed snacks. They are also rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B12, selenium, and phosphorus.
Overall, dried squids are a tasty and nutritious snack that can be enjoyed on their own or used as a flavorful ingredient in many dishes.
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