What to Do If a Sow Won't Conceive? Causes and Solutions

A sow may fail to conceive because of malformed reproductive organs, malnutrition, or being overweight. Sows with congenital poor development of the reproductive organs or with deformities should be culled in good time. For those with nutritional deficiencies, increase the protein, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients in the diet, and strengthen exercise. Overweight sows should be slimmed down, have their feed reduced or be given more coarse feed, and be fed more green fodder.

Sow mating methods:

1. Single mating

During one estrus period of the sow, the boar is used to mate only once. The advantage is that it reduces the burden on the boar, allows fewer boars to be kept, improves the boar's utilization rate, and lowers production costs. The disadvantage is that it is harder to mate at the right time, which may reduce the conception rate and the number of piglets born.

2. Repeat mating

During one estrus period of the sow, the same boar is used to mate twice in succession; this is a commonly used mating method in production. After the first mating, mate again 24h later, so that there are often highly motile sperm in the sow's reproductive tract, increasing the chance of combining with the egg and thereby raising the conception rate and the number of piglets born.