---

Iron is a necessity with newborn piglets. Born deficient and only with acceptable levels for a few days, supplying this need is part of good husbandry and provides many benefits for the newborn.

Anemia due to iron deficiency can contribute to weight loss, immunity compromise, respiratory fragility, and increase in scours.

Though iron is found in soil, bioavailability is the question.

Pigs raised in pastures have access to soil but do not typically have the ability to roam many miles, like their wild counterparts, to source their natural mineral needs.

Most soils are deficient in minerals so providing iron makes sense.

Oral iron can be used, though it is not as readily absorbed in the newborn digestive system.

Because of this I give 3 doses: day 1, day 3 and day 7.

This has worked well for my piglets and I appreciate the probiotics that are in the paste as well.

Dosing takes a bit of patience, but if you wait for the piglet to scream, place the tip at the back of the cheek, angled slightly back and close the mouth over the applicator, they will eventually swallow it.

A good paste option is Star-Labs Pig Paste with Iron, found at Jeffers Pet-Equine Livestock and we have used this for a couple years with good results. An added benefit is that it has helped piglets with milk scours.

Do the iron. It is worth setting your piglets up for success.