Pigs are known to experience heat stress during summer, leading to reduced feed intake and slow growth. What about autumn and winter?
Piglets under 20 kg, due to insufficient body fat accumulation, tend to shiver to generate heat and show reduced activity and appetite when the temperature falls below the lower critical temperature (LCT) or fluctuates by ±3°C. This phenomenon is known as cold stress, which can cause slow growth and diarrhea in piglets. Additionally, it can decrease their immunity, increasing the likelihood of disease outbreaks.
Solutions:
1.Check for any drafts.
2.Adjust the number and placement height of heat lamps.
3.Avoid multiple stressors on the same day (e.g., weaning, vaccinations, and pen grouping).
4.Reduce stress and inflammation factors, and provide sufficient energy to get through autumn and winter, such as using anti-inflammatory supplements like VIVA.
