Effect of Segregated Early Weaning on Presence of Lung Lesions at Slaughter in Swine

Purdue University 1995 Swine Research Reports. Medicated early weaning has been proposed as a means of controlling respiratory disease in swine. Various combinations of antibiotics and vaccinations decreased the incidence of enzootic pneumonia in pigs that were weaned at 10, 15 and 20 days of age (Wiseman et al., 1992). Studies by Clark, et al (1994) suggested that simply weaning at an early age and segregating swine without antibiotic medication (segregated early weaning; SEW) may markedly decrease the presence of certain respiratory pathogens in young swine. In this study, unmedicated pigs weaned at 10-14 days of age were divided into 3 groups: 1) pigs receiving extensive vaccinations to stimulate the immune system, 2) pigs receiving fewer vaccinations, and 3) pigs remaining unvaccinated. These pigs were reared in segregated facilities and compared for presence of respiratory disease at slaughter with swine from the source herd that were farrowed 7-9 days later, weaned at 21 days of age and reared all-in, all-out on the farm of origin.