Epidemiological studies of pig diseases: 2. Post-weaning diarrhoea and performance in Western Australian pigs |
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Authors: | SZ SKIRROW JR BUDDLE AR MERCY F MADEC RR NICHOLLS |
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Institution: | Animal Industries Division. Department of Agriculture, Western Australia 6151 Address for reprints: Portec Australia, PO Box 331, Belmont, WA 6104;School of Veterinary Studies, Murdoch University, Western Australia 6150;Laboratoire Central de Recherches Avicoles et Porcines, CNEVA, 22440 Ploufragan, France |
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Abstract: | Objective To determine in Australian pig herds the accuracy of French protocols for risk factor assessment of post-weaning diarrhoea and illthrift. Procedure French protocols for the collection of data on health indicators and risk factors for post-weaning diarrhoea were conducted on 54 batches of weaner pigs from 28 Western Australian pig herds during three years. Results Large variations in post-weaning performance were found. About one-third of the batches were growing at <200 g/day during the 3 weeks after weaning, and 54% had growth rates of <250 g/day. Weaning age and weight of at least 30 days and 7.9 kg, respectively, optimised weaner performance. Other risk factors associated with little post-weaning diarrhoea and good weaner performance were high creep feed intakes, relatively little diarrhoea as suckers, and, contrary to expectations, large temperature fluctuations. Conclusion Overall, the 'predictability' of post-weaning problems as assessed by measurement of risk status, was good. However, the model was less accurate at predicting the performance of a single batch of pigs. |
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Keywords: | Ecopathotogy epidemiology disease growth rate health pigs post-weaning diarrhoea preventive medicine risk factors weaning |
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