Day One Care

Thursday, March 19, 2026

A strong start for piglets

By Sergio Canavate

Across the industry, litters have continued to grow, and the number of quality weaned pigs has followed. Yet a critical challenge persists: Preweaning mortality is not improving at the pace producers need.

A practical place to start is day one care. Facility setup, attention to sow comfort, and early piglet care all influence a litter’s trajectory. Day one care begins before farrowing even starts, and the decisions made in those early hours shape survivability, performance, and long-term productivity. The following recommendations outline consistent, practical management that any farm can adapt to strengthen results from farrowing to weaning.

Team and facilities

Team placement
Effective labour allocation and training are integral to efficient pig production. By placing staff members in roles they enjoy, they are more likely to excel in them. When possible, ensure day one care employees are well-trained in recognizing the needs and signs of distress in sows and piglets. They should also be able to assist sows during farrowing, ensure piglets are warm, dry, and all piglets have consumed colostrum. Training new workers to develop expertise in specific areas contributes significantly to the overall productivity and health of the pigs.

During farrowing, plan labour so that actively farrowing sows are closely monitored. Aim to have each actively farrowing sow monitored every 20-25 minutes and adjust personnel if needed to accommodate this.

Farrowing room preparation
A successful farrowing begins by preparing the room for both the sow and her piglets. This includes cleaning, drying, and disinfecting the farrowing room and equipment to help prevent neonatal scours, as well as checking water nipples to make sure they function correctly and deliver approximately 0.5 gallons of water per minute. The temperature of the farrowing room should be kept between 70 and 76 F to maximize sow comfort. In addition, provide supplemental heat sources, such as heat lamps and/or mats, to create a comfort zone between 95 and 98 F for piglets.

Team communication
Effective communication and continuous training are essential. Regular discussions about farm goals, protocols, and the importance of each team member’s role help build a cooperative and efficient working environment.

Monitor farm performance

Farms investing in extended care must focus on the right priorities to ensure a return on their investment. Ensure the staff is focused on the most critical tasks, such as checking on sows and piglets and managing their environment.

Regular monitoring and recording key performance indicators, such as stillborn rate and preweaning mortality, is essential. In particular, track piglet losses in the first three days post-farrowing and record the reason for each loss. This early focus allows farms to quickly identify trends and fine-tune on-farm protocols while they can still make a meaningful impact. Accurate records are just as important as frequent records; incorrect data can create the impression of a problem that isn’t there or hide real management opportunities. Reviewing the data on a weekly basis helps gauge the effectiveness of any changes made and guide further improvements.

Sow care

Sow body condition management
A key aspect of sow robustness is body condition. Body condition management entails maintaining proper body condition throughout gestation and minimizing sows that fall in the over- or under-conditioned category, as both extremes can prove problematic in the farrowing room. Calipers are a practical tool to help monitor and maintain sow body condition.

Preparation and care at farrowing
Investing time in pre-farrowing preparation and training is crucial for a successful lactation, especially for P1 females. Before farrowing, spend time acclimating them to their new environment: Encourage them to stand at least twice per day, and confirm they are finding the water nipples and eating with full feeder access. This helps ensure they are comfortable, familiar with feed and water sources, and better prepared for the demands of nursing a litter.

To keep sows and piglets healthy, regularly check sows post-farrowing. Each sow should stand daily while being evaluated for any signs of sickness, distress, or lameness. Take each sow’s body temperature the day after she farrows (24 hours post-farrowing). Consult with your herd veterinarian to define the fever threshold for your farm and follow established protocols to manage and control sow fever.

Check to make sure sows have access to feed and water and are eating and drinking regularly. Feeders should be cleaned regularly and have fresh feed available. Monitor feeders to determine if sows are eating as expected; watch not only for sows that are completely off feed, but also for any noticeable decrease in feed intake, as both can indicate she is not recovering properly.

Piglet care

Managing colostrum and piglet care
The first hours after birth help set piglets up for a strong start. Ideally, piglets should have access to colostrum within the first 30 minutes after birth. However, all pigs must receive adequate amounts of colostrum within 12 hours, or they will not survive. In addition, they should have access to a warm and dry comfort zone. Techniques like split suckling, administering colostrum to weaker piglets, or intervention in cases of chilled piglets can significantly improve piglet survival rates.

Cross-fostering
In scenarios where a sow is unable to nurse her full litter, cross-fostering can provide a solution to allow all piglets proper room to receive the nutrients they need. It is crucial that piglets receive colostrum from their own mother prior to being moved to any other sow. Before moving piglets, count the number of functional teats on each sow to support strategic cross-fostering. The process of cross-fostering can be stressful or damaging for pigs if done incorrectly. There are several ways cross-fostering can be accomplished, and it is important to have an experienced team member manage cross-fostering in a way that works for your farm.

Putting day one care to work
The first 24 hours after farrowing are a small but important window that can have a lasting impact on survivability. While genetics and long-term strategies contribute to progress, day one pig care remains one of the most direct, immediate levers available to producers. Thoughtful preparation, skilled observation, and consistent routines help safeguard piglet health and set sows up for a smoother lactation period.

By strengthening day one practices, farms can reduce preweaning losses, support healthier animals, and improve weaned pig performance from the very beginning. For more details on practical day one and sow care strategies, see PIC’s Gilt & Sow Management Guidelines. BP