Dogs are red-green color blind.

Dogs are red-green color blind, research indicates.Dogs are colourblind and struggle to distinguish between red and green, meaning finding a red ball in the park could prove tricky, scientists have said. Experts have known for some time that dogs have poor vision, and are up to eight times worse than humans at seeing things in detail. But until now, nobody knew why. Now scientists have developed a test for dogs and found that they struggle to tell red and green apart, much like colour blind humans, a condition known as deuteranopia.

Secrets of successful piglet feeding after weaning.

Secrets of successful piglet feeding after weaning.Feeding piglets after weaning remains a challenge for most producers, whereas buying the best possible feed is merely the first step. Post-weaning feed intake has always been rather low compared to genetic potential for growth in early-weaned pigs. This costly problem is attributed mainly to early weaning at 3 weeks, as opposed to natural weaning at about 8 weeks of age. Under most commercial conditions, weaned pigs invariably experience some degree of appetite depression. This increases production cost and reduces growth performance through the finishing stage, affecting profitability in a negative way. It is not uncommon for pigs to starve for as long as 3 to 5 days after weaning, whereas others may start eating a few minutes after placement in the nursery building. Research has repeatedly demonstrated that low feed intakes during the early post-weaning period severely limit future growth potential, increase temperature and management requirements, intensify morbidity and mortality, and reduce turn over of facilities. The following generic rule may be applied to understand this issue: For every 100 grams of extra feed intake per day during the first week post-weaning, body weight increases by at least 2 kilograms at the end of the fourth week post-weaning. All or some of the following are used successfully in profitable operations: 1) Management. This may be rather obvious, but it cannot be overemphasized how important hygiene and management are in creating an environment for maximal post-weaning performance. Increased bio security, an aggressive farm-specific disease prevention program, improved pig/human flow and continuous staff training are essential parts of a professional nursery site. Well-trained managers are the most valuable and sometimes the hardest-to-find assets. 2) Diet digestibility. Feed intake generally increases with improving digestibility of the diet. This is a well-known fact, and it is the main reason why most piglet diets are fortified with cooked cereals, milk proteins, fish meal and simple sugars like lactose and sucrose. Although such diets are more expensive than simple diets (based on maize and soybean), the benefits are tremendous in terms of improved performance and health during the whole grow-out period. Ingredients of poor digestibility pass rather intact along the gastrointestinal tract to the large intestine where they promote bacterial proliferation that invariably leads to diarrhea.

Creep Feeding For Piglets.

Creep Feeding For Piglets.Creep feeding initiates and promotes gut and digestive enzyme development, which enables the piglet to digest nutrients from food sources other than that of milk. This encourages feed intake, which is one of the greatest challenges to post-weaning performance. Creep feeding becomes increasingly important and beneficial as weaning age increases. As piglets grow, their demand for nutrients similarly grows and with increasing age this demand outstrips the capacity of the sow to supply them, as the sow’s milk yield peaks at around three weeks and then slowly declines.Be committed: creep feeding is more successful the more time and effort is devoted to it. Proper creep feeding is a very valuable and worthwhile process but it must be done correctly to see the benefits and avoid wastage. Creep feed gets the piglet used to eating solid feed and makes the piglet familiar with what becomes the sole diet at weaning; studies have also shown that as creep feed intakes rise, post-weaning diarrhoea is reduced. #piglets A good creep feed must line up with the following : 1)Keep creep feed fresh and clean and out of reach of the sow. 2)Start creep feeding at seven to 10 days of age. 3)Begin by offering creep on a flat surface, for example, a shallow tray (heavy metal or plastic trays that can hook into the slats). 4)Place trays close to the piglets but not under direct heat as this will turn the feed stale too quickly; also, keep feed away from the dunging area 5)Begin with very small amounts replaced at least twice a day, preferably more. Always remove all uneaten creep; only unmedicated waste creep can be fed to the sow. 6) Offer creep when the sows are feeding as piglets are active and unlikely to be suckled for some time 7) Do not overfeed - feed to appetite. Litters often eat little and then suddenly begin to eat increasing amounts. 8)Introduce small troughs or top up the trays more often if litters are eating well. 9)Clean any fouled trays or troughs. 10)Store creep feed in a cool place and always close bags to prevent feed taking up the farrowing house odors and/or becoming rancid. #piglets Remember the importance of the sow: it is crucial to maximize milk yield, she will be providing the majority of the piglet's nutrition; Utilization of creep feed should always be considered as a supplement for increased benefit rather than a replacement for milk.Creep Feeding For Piglets.

3 strategies for successful piglet creep feeding.

3 strategies for successful piglet creep feeding.Understanding when creep feeding is working and when it is not can create savings or performance potential on any pig farm. 1) Creep feeding and weaning age. The first of such condition is the weaning age of the piglets. For piglets to fully benefit from creep feeding, they must have sufficient time to consume about 500 grams of feed before weaning. When pigs are weaned at 15-18 days of age, creep feed intake is rarely over 100 grams per pig. Thus, the only benefit that can be claimed is that pigs at least realize pellets or dry meal as a form of nourishment. But there is one big problem following such limited and early exposure to dry feed, in that the gastrointestinal system might be prematurely triggered to a delayed hypersensitivity reaction if the feed contains any source of soybeans. This usually manifests itself in the form of profuse diarrhea after weaning when pigs start consuming larger quantities of feed while any protective effect of mother’s milk is removed. Thus, for very early-weaned pigs, it is best not to offer any creep feed at all. In contrast, when weaning weights must be boosted, it is strongly advised to offer them a milk re-placers. In contrast, when pigs are weaned at approximately 25 days of age, creep feed intake approaches the limit of 500 grams of pigs, bypassing the danger of delayed hypersensitivity reaction. In this case, pigs not only become rapidly accustomed to consuming dry feed, but they are also weaned markedly heavier. Based on research and experience, it can be said that creep feeding can be associated with as much as an extra kilogram body weight as weaning age approaches 28 days of age. Therefore, with later weaning ages, as currently practiced throughout Europe, creep feeding must be a common feature in all piglet feeding programs. When pigs are weaned at 35 days of age, creep feeding is so successful that it is often advisable to discontinue offering the initial feed after one week and replace it with a less dense/complex diet to prevent pigs from scouring from overfeeding. 2) Management is key Now, the next logical question is "How is it done?" The secret, if there is such a thing, is in the old but wise advice of little and often. Yes, it is labor intensive, and yes, it is not fun after the first few times, but pigs are biological organisms and that’s the way they work. Given spoiled or stale feed they simply refuse to eat it, or even explore it, as long as they have access to mother’s warm milk. Hardly possible to blame them! So, start with a small quantity of fresh creep feed (~50 g) from a newly-opened bag and offer it on an open plate or spread it on their sleeping mat. Preferably do so between sow feeding times because pigs know they are going to get a good milk meal right after the sow eats. Next time around the farrowing barn, clean up any leftovers and replenish with another portion of creep feed, even though some litters did not consume their share. To this end, it’s best for the creep feed to be kept outside the farrowing barn so that it does not pick up the smells pigs are used to. Once piglets consume their allotted portion, it is probably a good time to switch to a less expensive product, or even wean them. And, one final remark: Pigs eating creep feed must also drink fresh water. So, make sure they have access to it all the time and that they know how to use the drinking devices. 3 strategies for successful piglet creep feeding.

what is creep feed?

What is creep feed? Creep feeding is the common practice of feeding a solid diet to piglets while they are suckling the sow, preparing their digestive system for weaning. Creep feeding initiates and promotes gut and digestive enzyme development, which enables the piglet to digest nutrients from food sources other than that of milk. This encourages feed intake, which is one of the greatest challenges to post-weaning performance.For piglets to fully benefit from creep feeding, they must have sufficient time to consume about 500 grams of feed before weaning. Creep feed is highly nutritious and palatable fit for piglets to enhance proper growth.Start creep feeding at seven to 10 days of age, and only give fresh feed.Begin by offering creep feed on a flat surface, like a shallow tray (heavy metal or plastic trays that can hook into the slats).Place trays close to the piglets but not under direct heat as this will turn the feed stale too quickly; also, keep feed away from the dunging area. what is creep feeding? Creep feeding prepares piglets’ intestinal tracts for the change to solid food at weaning time, and they start developing enzymes needed to digest non-milk foods. Without exposure to creep feed before weaning, the dietary change at weaning is quite drastic and will result in reduced feed intake, diarrhea, weight loss and stress, predisposing piglets to illness. The access to creep feed starting around 4 to 7 days of life ensures the piglets get used to eating solid food and they establish essential intestinal microbial populations well before weaning. This results in increased daily gain and greater post-weaning feed intake and feed-to-gain ratios.Supplementing sow milk with creep feed can result in both improved pre- and post-weaning. performance,

Piglets need adequate care.

Piglets need adequate care.Piglets are the future capital of any farm. The young creatures have it all in them to become full value pigs or great replacement gilts. After all, breeding high numbers of healthy piglets ensures a sound future. Piglets are also the weakest link in a farm. Newborn piglets are vulnerable for virtually everything. Just after birth they have to learn how to drink, how to keep warm, how to keep safe while viruses, bacteria, ever-growing numbers of siblings and their direct environment pose ongoing threats from the first minute that they are alive.Piglets need adequate care. Future capital forming the weakest link – this sounds like a potentially risky situation in which no protection can ever be enough. Sure, many pig farmers all over the world go out of their way to get as many piglets as they can through to weaning. It is, however, for a reason that many researchers and affiliated companies send out dozens of messages how to get that extra piglet to thrive. A little bit more attention here, a little bit more knowledge there, all little bits help.Piglets need adequate care.

How to feed piglets better for maximum growth.

How to feed piglets better for maximum growth.

Despite the advances in technology, research, and experience, post-weaning feed intake remains low compared to the genetic growth potential of early-weaned pigs (weaned at 21-28 days of age). This persistent and expensive problem is a side effect of early weaning, but is also due to problems in feed presentation and overall management. 

  Under modern commercial conditions, most pigs experience some degree of post-weaning appetite depression. This invariably increases production cost and hampers performance and profitability throughout the finishing stage. 

Today, even in the best managed facilities, it is not uncommon for some pigs to starve for as long as three to five days after weaning, whereas others may start eating a few minutes after placement in the nursery. 

 The reasons for post-weaning anorexia are many and complex. The consensus is that weaned pigs do not eat because of radical changes in their feeding behavior, and feed form and composition after weaning.

 Prior to weaning, the sow is responsible for feeding the piglets at regular and frequent intervals, whereas communal liquid feeding is the norm for piglets. 

 After weaning, the same piglets are faced not only with a stressful physical and social environment, but also with the decision of when and how much to feed by themselves. To make things worst, where water was provided in conjunction with solid matter in sow’s milk, now the weaned pig needs to distinguish between thirst and hunger and also to realize that these needs must be satisfied via separate media. 

                  How to ensure high feed intake. 

. Ensuring a high feed intake during the early post-weaning period is highly important. Research and experience has repeatedly demonstrated that low feed intake during the early post-weaning period severely limits growth potential, increases temperature and management requirements, intensifies morbidity and mortality, and reduces turnover of facilities and capital.

 In general, for every 100 g of extra feed per day consumed during the first week post-weaning, body weight increases by 1 to 2 kg at the end of the fourth week post-weaning.

 This has a dramatic effect on overall performance during the growing-finishing period as pigs that barely maintain their weaning weight during the first week post-weaning may require an extra 10 to 20 days to reach market weight compared to pigs that grow at their pre-weaning gain rates during the same period.