Genesis and effects of skin erosions in piglets and possibilities of theirprevention

Investigations with 1,442 piglets from three breeding farm with weighing pi glets at birth and at weaning (28th day of age) and individually assessment of skin lesions (efflorescences: mild, severe, strong) at fore legs on day 4, 10 and 25 of age (farm A), day 7 and 14 (farm B) day 7 respectively (Fa rm C) have shown high frequencies of skin erosions (54.1 up to 84 %) in pig lets during first week of age. Severe to strong lesions were found in every 5th to 6th piglet (2nd week of age) and lead to decrease in weaning weight in wounded piglets up to 1.5 kg. Straw cannot prevent skin lesions. Preven tion of skin erosions has to include redevelopment of floor surface, use of a animal according piglet nest, effective cleaning and disinfection and an tibiotic treatment.