Cannibalism, mutual biting of fatteners, how to prevent and react? So is magnesium oxide the only solution?

The phenomenon of cannibalism in piglets, weaners and finally fatteners can occur at any stage of the breeding process. The reasons that can trigger this process are primarily stress in animals.

This stress can be caused by:

• Excessive or insufficient lighting of the pig house.
• Insufficient number of drinkers (normal is 12-15 animals per drinker)
• Excessive density (the standard is 0.4 m2 of area for a piglet of 31-50 kg, for a fattening pig over 110 kg it is already 1 m2)
• Nutritional deficiencies, an unbalanced diet or too low a fiber content in the feed.
• Dominant in the herd and the related struggle for hierarchy and position in the herd.
• Boredom (a standard in modern industrial breeding should be toys that provide animals with intellectual stimulation, e.g. chains, ropes suspended from the ceiling, ending at the height of the snout, often finished with 5x5 cm square timber, balls, baskets with straw, pet mineral water bottles, a bag for feed filled with straw with a small admixture of e.g. corn grains, etc.)
• Retention of carbon dioxide and other harmful gases.

Even if the stress does not result in fights in the herd, stressed animals lose their appetite, are lethargic, grow slower and are more susceptible to diseases and infections. Therefore, the general welfare of the animals should be such an important factor for every breeder. However, we are not always able to react quickly enough to a stressor. It seems easier to increase stress resistance in animals.

Magnesium oxide or how to prevent stress in fattening pigs.

Magnesium is a micronutrient whose deficiency causes a decrease in stress resistance in mammals. The simplest form of magnesium supplementation for weaners and fatteners is the use of feed magnesium oxide as an addition to the daily diet.

Magnesium oxide dosage.

Magnesium oxide is administered in amounts from 2 to 3 and even 6 kg per ton of feed, depending on the age and condition of the animal. In the pre-starter and starter, the lower limit of the dose should be used, i.e. 2 kg of magnesium oxide per tonne of feed. For the grower and finisher, the dose should be higher and be within the upper limit, i.e. 3 kg per tonne of feed. The highest demand for minerals contained in the supplement is in lactating sows, where the daily dose can be as much as 6 kg of magnesium oxide per ton of feed.

One of the symptoms of magnesium deficiency is increased aggression, especially in piglets just after weaning. Therefore, the deficiency of this microelement is often associated with cannibalism. Other symptoms of magnesium deficiency include:

• Significant loss of appetite
• Growth inhibition
• Skin changes
• Impairment of potassium absorption,
• Convulsions
• Aggression

Like anything desirable, magnesium oxide can be overdosed. Symptoms of an overdose of magnesium oxide include inhibition of bone growth, decreased productivity and diarrhoea.

To sum up, associating magnesium oxide deficiency in the pig diet with acts of cannibalism is not devoid of factual reasons, but it is a gross simplification. However, this does not change the fact that the administration of this dietary supplement to pigs in amounts adapted to the age and condition of the animals significantly improves their welfare and reduces aggression, and thus effectively prevents acts of cannibalism.

Feed magnesium oxide available at distripark.com .

*This article is for informational purposes only. The presented description, in particular the use of the products, is exemplary and constitutes non-binding information about the characteristics and possibilities of their use/application. In any case, before using the product, consult a specialist whether the specific use is safe and justified. We do not bear any responsibility for the use of the proposed solutions, even in very similar situations.