How many teats does a sow generally have? An explanation of the normal number

There are various pigs in a herd, and the sow holds an important place among them, with every farmer focusing on its health. How many teats does a sow have?

1. How many teats does a sow have

Generally 8-16, with the number varying between different breeds. The Xiang pig mostly has 10-12, the Yorkshire pig has 12-14, and the Landrace and Jinhua pigs generally have 14-16.

2. How to manage a sow during lactation

1. Management of the sow in early lactation

(1) Keep the farrowing house warm, dry and hygienic. Poor microclimate conditions and unsanitary farrowing houses can both cause postpartum infection in sows, manifesting as heavy lochia, fever, reduced appetite, decreased milk yield or agalactia. If not treated in time, mild cases lead to slow piglet development, while severe cases lead to all piglets starving to death. Therefore, do a good job of farrowing house hygiene, change the bedding straw frequently, pay attention to ventilation in the pen, and ensure fresh air inside. The vulva of the sow after farrowing should be kept clean; if there is lochia at the tail root or around the vulva, it should be cleaned and disinfected in time, and in summer flies and mosquitoes should be kept from landing there. When necessary, inject the sow with antibiotics and flush the uterus with 2%-3% warm saline or a 0.1% potassium permanganate aqueous solution.

(2) Since a sow's strength declines after farrowing and its appetite is poor, it should be left in the pen to rest and recuperate; starting from the 3rd day after farrowing, if the weather is clear and fine, the sow may be allowed to go outside freely with its piglets or on its own, which is beneficial for the sow to recover its strength and promote digestion and lactation. However, keep it from catching cold or being startled, and do not let it exercise too much. Especially in farrowing houses with floor birthing and poor conditions, let the sow and piglets bask in the sun more and increase exercise in warm weather.

2. Management of the sow in mid and late lactation

(1) Protect the udder and teats of the lactating sow so that they develop evenly and nurse normally, and treat any disease promptly when found. Feed strictly according to the feeding standard and required amount to prevent milk from being too concentrated and causing piglet diarrhea.

(2) The farrowing house must be kept clean, dry and well ventilated; in winter pay attention to cold protection and warmth, and in summer pay attention to heat relief and cooling. A dirty, damp farrowing house with poor air circulation is a cause of illness in sows and piglets and should be given sufficient attention. The temperature of the lactation house should be kept at 16-25°C and the relative humidity at 50%-75%; manure and filth in the pens should be removed in time, and pens, work aisles and equipment should be disinfected regularly. It is strictly forbidden to whip or forcibly drive the sow; protect the sow's teats from injury, and treat them promptly if injured.

(3) Pay attention to observing the sow's body condition and the growth and development of the piglets. If the piglets grow strong, have glossy coats and develop evenly among individuals, and the sow loses weight but is not too thin, it shows that the feeding and management are reasonable. If the sow is too fat or too thin and the piglets are weak and grow poorly, it shows that there is a problem with the feeding and management, and the cause should be found.

3. In terms of disease prevention and treatment, during lactation the main focus is on preventing and treating postpartum anorexia in sows, insufficient or absent milk in sows, postpartum paralysis in sows, sows not nursing, porcine parvovirus disease and swine fever.

Protective measures should be taken before and after the sow gives birth, so that the piglets are born healthy and the sow can nurse peacefully.