Injectable solutions of iron are a long established and widely accepted method of preventing anaemia in neonate piglets, although recently several oral iron preparations have become available which avoid the intrusive nature of injection. However, both methods of iron administration involve handling piglets which in itself may be stressful to the neonatal piglet. The aim of this study was to investigate the heart rate and behavioural responses of piglets during handling, or during handling associated with administration of either oral or injectable iron.

Whole litters of 33 PIC Camborough sows were randomly assigned to one of three treatments, each administered before 24 hours of age; injection of 1ml of iron into the neck muscle (Gleptosil; Alstoe Animal Health), oral administration of 2ml of iron (Neoglobin; Labtec) and handling the piglet for 30 seconds between removal and replacement in the creep, but without the administration of iron.