During the first week of weaning, pigs have a reduced growth rate which is related in part to low and variable water and feed intake. Additionally, the newly-weaned pigs’ immune and digestive systems are still maturing, making the piglet more susceptible to enteric antigenic challenges (nutritional or microbial), which can also cause a reduction in feed intake. What are some of these changes in the pigs’ gastrointestinal tract and immunity at weaning, and why are they important?.
