Neonatal mortality of pigs in Nsukka, Southeast Nigeria

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the causes of neonatal mortality among pig farms in Nsukka Local
Government area of Enugu State, Nigeria. Forty (40) pig farms in the study area were randomly selected and used
for the 20 weeks study duration. One week post partum was considered as the neonatal period. A total of 124
pregnant sows and 924 piglets farrowed during the study period were used. Data were obtained from farm
visitations/physical observations, farm records, oral interviews and structured questionnaires. Feed samples were
analyzed for their proximate contents. Pregnant pigs were weighed prior, during and few days after farrowing, while
piglets were weighed within seven days after farrowing. Necropsy and bacteriological examinations of samples of
feed, maternal and diseased or dying neonates were also carried out. Results showed that mean litter size, piglet
weight at birth and daily weight gain were 7.45 ± 0.02, 1.01 ± 0.03 and 0.21 ± 0.01 kg, respectively. 164 (17.75%) of
total piglets farrowed died within the first week of life (neonatal period), whereas 144 (87.80%) of this number died
within the first five days. In addition, 48 (29.27%) were over laid, 30 (18.29%) died of scouring caused by Escherichia
coli and Salmonella organisms, 30 (18.29%) died of hypoglycaemia. On the other hand, 20 (12.20%) piglets were
cannibalized by older pigs and or their dams, 16 (9.75%) were trapped within the drainage, 12 piglets (7.32%) died of
chilling, while eight (4.88%) died of unknown causes. Other contributory factors include inappropriate farm
structures, absence or inadequate farm records, nutritional imbalance, improper management practices and
inadequate veterinary services. It was concluded that neonatal mortality is a major impediment to optimum profit
making from swine enterprise in Nsukka, South Eastern Nigeria.