THE EFFECTS OF 2 MEDICATED EARLY WEANING PROGRAMS ON PIG PERFORMANCE,HEALTH, AND IMMUNE-SYSTEM ACTIVATION

Thirty litters from multiparous sows were used to evaluate two medicat ed early-wean programs: traditional medicated early-wean (MEW: multipl e injections and oral) and modified medicated early-wean (MMEW: oral) against a control (C). Pigs were weaned on Day 17 of lactation and the nursery trial terminated at Day 56 of age. Individual pig and litter weights, and litter size at weaning (Day 17) were unaffected by early- weaning program (P > 0.10); however, from weaning through Day 56 of ag e in the nursery, MMEW pigs and litters were heavier, consumed more fe ed, and were more efficient than pigs and litters from either C or MEW treatments. Litter weights at Day 56 were 177, 163, and 209 kg for C, MEW, and MMEW treatments, respectively. No differences were observed in mortality, lung and snout scores, and serological assays. MMEW pigs had improved functional development of B and T cell responses over ME W or C pigs. At the same time MMew pigs did not have development of ex cessive T cell capacity seen with C and MEW treatments. In conclusion, the oral MMEW program is an efficacious early-wean protocol.