How to Tell if a Sow Is Pregnant? Master These 3 Methods to Identify It Easily
AbstractAccording to the timing of the sow's gestation date, it can generally be divided into three stages: early, middle and late. Early stage: observe changes in the sow's appearance; if her eyes are bright and her temperament becomes gentle, it means she has conceived, and the iodination method, finger-pressure method and hand-squeezing method can be used to judge. Middle stage: if about 20 days after mating she does not come into heat, she may have conceived; a pregnancy tester can also be used, and the sow's teats can also be observed - if they clearly turn black, it means she has conceived. Late stage: after conception, fetal movement can be felt by touching the sow's belly with the hand.
1. Early diagnosis
First, carefully observe changes in the sow's appearance, such as bright eyes, a sudden change to a gentle temperament, steadier movement than before, a shiny coat that lies close to the body, and the lower commissure of the vulva curving upward and contracting into a line, which indicates that she has conceived.
1. Iodination method: take about 10ml of sow urine, then place it into a container at a ratio of 1.0-1.025; note that the urine must not be too concentrated, otherwise add an appropriate amount of water to dilute it, or the test result may be wrong. Add a little acetic acid to turn the alkaline sow urine acidic, then drip an appropriate amount of iodine tincture and place it over an alcohol lamp or gas lamp to heat slowly. When the sow urine is heated to a certain temperature, its color change can be observed; it can be held in sunlight for observation to be more obvious. The urine of a sow that has successfully conceived will show a clearly visible red from top to bottom; if it appears pale yellow or even brownish green, and the color quickly disappears, it means she is not pregnant.
2. Finger-pressure method: first locate the area on the dorsal midline of the sow from the 9th thoracic vertebra to the 12th thoracic vertebra, then use the thumb and index finger to press firmly on the sow's 9th thoracic vertebra; if the pressed area in the middle of the sow's back sinks in, it means she has not conceived; conversely, if it bulges or shows no reaction at all, it means she has successfully conceived.
3. Hand-squeezing method: about 3 days after a farrowing sow is mated, gently pinch the sow's second-to-last pair of teats with the hand; if a firm milk duct can be clearly seen, it can also indicate that she has successfully conceived.
2. Middle-stage diagnosis
18-24 days: if the sow no longer comes into heat more than 20 days after mating, pregnancy can basically be confirmed. In addition, if the sow suddenly shows a greatly increased appetite and a belly that grows fuller day by day, it means she has conceived.
25-30 days: tested with a pregnancy tester, with an accuracy rate of 99%.
After 30 days: the sow's teats begin to turn clearly black, indicating that she has conceived. Observed from behind the sow, the teats expand outward and the mammary glands clearly protrude and bulge, which can be taken as one of the signs of pregnancy.
3. Late-stage diagnosis
After 70 days of successful pregnancy, fetal movement can be felt very easily by touching the sow's belly with the hand; after 80 days, fetal movement is obvious when the sow lies on her side, and the belly is very distended. Thickened teats and bulging udder all indicate that the sow has successfully conceived; the sow's gestation period averages about 114 days.