Niet-infectieuze oorzaken van biggensterfte vóór het spenen - Deel I: Oorzaken gelegen bij de big

Abstract

Mortality in piglets before weaning is associated with major economic losses for the pig production. Most suckling piglets die during the first four days after birth, and mostly this is due to non-infectious factors. Causes or risk factors can be related to the sow, the piglets and/or the environment. The present article reviews the most important non-infectious factors related to the piglets namely low birth weight, splayleg, shaking piglets, navel bleeding, crushing and congenital malformations. Crushing by the sow is the most important cause. Piglet mortality can be reduced by treating or intensifying care taking of piglets with an increased risk, but the best results are obtained by adopting preventive measures.