It's Time to Check Iron Levels of Baby Pigs
ANALYSIS - The weaning weight of a baby pig is significantly greater than it was 20-30 years ago, but protocols have not changed to reflect management practices, leaving many baby pigs iron deficient, reports Sarah Mikesell.
23 June 2015
2 minute read
By: Nate Jackman speaks with ThePigSite about iron deficiency in baby pigs.
Nate Jackman, Livestock Specialist with MWI Veterinary Services, said he offers a hemoglobin test to piglets and he tests big, healthy looking pigs. But often the results show that those baby pigs are anemic and they need another dose of iron.
"We recommend to veterinarians and producers that we give a 200 mg dose at Day One and another 200 mg dose at Day 14 to give that pig enough iron before we wean that pig and send it off to the nursery," Jackman said.
He said the diagnostic test just takes 2-3 minutes, so he can share results with the producer that day.
"We let the science speak for itself," Jackman said.
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Sarah Mikesell
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