What is the composition of pig milk?

Pig milk is divided into colostrum and normal milk, and the nutritional components of colostrum and normal milk are different (Table 3).

Table 3 Comparison of components between colostrum and normal milk (%)

(1) The milk of colostrum sows within 3 days after delivery is colostrum, which can provide antibodies for newborn piglets. Colostrum can also provide other factors to promote the intestinal development of piglets, but the antibody content decreased obviously after 24 hours. The contents of fat, protein and lactose in colostrum secreted by the same individual and different nipples vary greatly. Because the supply of colostrum is limited, all piglets should eat a considerable amount of colostrum during delivery to prevent the first-born piglets from eating too much colostrum.

(2) The contents of dry matter, protein and fat in suckling pig milk are higher than those of other domestic animals, but the lactose content is lower than that of other domestic animals.