Before weaning, piglets consume highly nutritious, easily digestible, and palatable maternal milk approximately every hour. This consistent feeding pattern ensures they receive all the essential nutrients needed for growth and development. However, after weaning, the sudden transition from milk to solid feed can be challenging. The abrupt change often leads to a temporary refusal to eat, as piglets may not immediately adapt to the new diet. After 12 to 24 hours of fasting, some pigs may overeat, which can result in digestive issues such as diarrhea.
To help piglets adjust smoothly, it's crucial to design an appropriate feeding program that supports early eating and prevents intestinal problems. A well-structured nutrition plan is essential to minimize the economic impact caused by the transition from milk to solid feed. Younger piglets, especially those weaned at an earlier age, have higher nutritional and management demands. Their ability to digest nutrients relies heavily on the complex enzyme system in their bodies.
At birth, piglets already have certain enzymes like lipases and lactases, which help them digest milk. These enzymes increase rapidly in the first few days. However, the enzymes required to break down solid feed are more complex and take time to develop. Factors such as the age at weaning and the type of feed (including sow exposure and attractants) before weaning play a significant role in stimulating enzyme production.
Introducing feed before weaning helps piglets become familiar with its taste and smell, while also encouraging their digestive system to prepare for the upcoming change. For example, amylase and maltase, which are needed to digest carbohydrates, only start being produced after exposure to these nutrients. Therefore, the diet of early-weaned piglets should closely resemble the composition of milk to ease the transition and support healthy digestion.
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