07/03/2026
Why Pigletsā Teeth Are Clipped After Birth
Many new pig farmers see newborn piglets with sharp little teeth and wonder: āWhy would anyone touch these tiny teeth?ā
The truth is, piglet teeth clipping is one of the most important management practices for the first few days of life, and itās done for very specific reasons.
Piglets are born with small, sharp āneedle teethā, usually 8 in total, 4 on the top jaw and 4 on the bottom. These teeth are natural, but they can cause serious problems if left intact:
1. Protecting the sowās teats
Sharp teeth can injure the sowās ni***es during nursing. A sow with sore or damaged teats may avoid feeding piglets, which reduces milk intake and can affect the pigletsā growth and survival.
2. Preventing injury among piglets
Piglets compete for teats constantly. Without clipping, they can bite each other while jostling for a spot. This can cause cuts, infections, and weaker piglets. Injured piglets often grow slower because they are stressed or canāt feed properly.
3. Reducing infections
Open wounds from bites or scratches can become entry points for bacteria, increasing the risk of diseases. Piglets are most vulnerable in their first few days, so preventing injuries is critical.
4. Helping overall survival and growth
By clipping teeth safely, you reduce stress on the sow and piglets, prevent injuries, and ensure piglets can feed properly from day one. This simple practice improves piglet survival and weight gain, which translates into better profit in the long run.
ā
Important tips for safe teeth clipping:
Only clip the sharp tips, do not remove the whole tooth.
Clip within the first 2ā3 days of life.
Use clean, disinfected tools to avoid infection.
Avoid clipping too much or too close to the gum, this can cause bleeding or pain.
Many beginners donāt understand why this is done, but once you see a sow nursing comfortably and piglets growing without injuries, it becomes clear: teeth clipping is about survival, health, and growth, not just ācosmeticā work.ā
š“ Do you clip your pigletsā teeth? If yes, on what day after farrowing do you usually do it?
