Small piglets from modern sows with larger litters and low milk supply may benefit from creep feed before weaning, said a Prairie Swine Centre researcher.
“These sows produce a lot of piglets and that is more pigs that need to nurse. There is a lot of competition between the piglets to get more milk,” said Atta Agyekum, during the Prairie Swine Centre producer meeting in Red Deer.
Creep feeding helps small or compromised piglets, especially in late-weaning systems, familiarize the piglets to solid feed before weaning, he told the group.
During the research, Agyekum looked at a variety of creep diets from simple to complex and found a simple creep feed that encourages foraging behaviour, rooting and play is all that is needed.
“A simple feed is enough if you use creep diets.”
Agyekum said creep feed should be provided at least 14 days before weaning to help familiarize piglets to solid feed before weaning. It also develops gut development and overall pig robustness, although not all piglets will eat the creep feed.
Creep feed may also help sows maintain their body condition during lactation, he said.•
— By Mary MacArthur