Master on-site breeding pig selection techniques, and pig farmers need not fear buying bad pigs

Breeding pigs are divided into two types, breeding boars and breeding sows, and are the male (breeding boars) and female (breeding sows) parent pigs among domestic pigs that are specifically used for reproduction. Therefore, the quality of the breeding pigs determines the excellence of the next generation of piglets. Now let's talk about what techniques there are for on-site selection of breeding pigs, and how to buy good breeding pigs. Pig farmers everywhere must look carefully.

1. Conform to breed characteristics

Breeding pig production is mainly the production of purebred pigs, so the selected breeding pigs are required to have obvious breed characteristics and conform to the main characteristics of the breed (for example, if you encounter a Duroc with straight ears during selection, you should resolutely give it up). At present, the mainstream breeds in China's breeding pig production are the three major breeds: Landrace, Large White, and Duroc, and Pietrain also has a certain share.

2. Ideal body structure and good health condition

The body structure of breeding pigs requires a straight back and loin, sturdy limbs, square and firm hooves, well-proportioned major body parts, and a long and deep body. Breeding pigs for different uses have slightly different requirements for body shape and appearance. For example, for sire-line breeding boars, in addition to the general requirements for breeding pigs, a strong and sturdy physique is especially required; for dam-line breeding pigs, the individuals are required to be more well-proportioned, reasonably structured, and highly coordinated.

3. Possess ideal external genitalia

The reproductive organs of breeding pigs are closely related to their reproductive performance, and the reproductive organs of breeding pigs are also heritable traits. Therefore, breeding boars are required to have large testicles that are symmetrical on both sides, preventing traits such as preputial fluid accumulation and soft penis that affect boar mating behavior; the selection of sows requires the vulva to be moderate in size, preventing an overly small vulva and an upturned vulva. These vulva presentations often indicate that the sow's reproductive performance is relatively low and that some reproductive disorders will occur.

4. Teat structure and number meet requirements

The belly line of breeding pigs (that is, the teats and udder) is closely related to the reproductive performance of breeding pigs, especially the nursing ability and milk production ability of breeding pigs. The number of functional teats in breeding pigs is generally 6 to 7 pairs, and the structure requires moderate size and even arrangement on both sides of the belly line, with even and sufficient spacing between teats. Prevent abnormal teats such as blind teats, small teats, inverted teats, and inverted nipples. The evaluation requirements for the belly line of dam-line breeding pigs are stricter. Breeding pigs with a good belly line will have better milk production performance, and sows with more teats will also give birth to more piglets. For sire-line breeding pigs, routine belly line evaluation can meet the requirements of on-site selection. For parent-line breeding boars used to produce commercial pigs, there is no hard requirement for the number of teats.

5. Possess well-developed limb and hoof structure

The overall requirement for the limb and hoof structure of breeding pigs is that the limbs are in a natural posture, shown by a natural walking posture, preventing poor limb structures such as lying pasterns and bent legs. The ideal forelimbs should be straight from the shoulder to the hoof, with a certain angle at the knee. Defective limb types such as O-shaped or X-shaped legs should be prevented; the pastern should naturally have a certain curve, preventing the pastern from being too upright and causing walking on the toe tips, and also preventing the pastern from being too sloping and forming a lying pastern. The ideal hoof should have even toes, normal shape, reasonable position, and no overly large gap between the two hooves. Prevent defects such as uneven toes, an overly large gap between the two hooves, or overly long hooves.

6. No genetic defects

Note that during selection, the farrowing records should be taken into account. If the breeding pig being purchased has records of hereditary defects such as umbilical hernia, scrotal hernia, cryptorchidism, monorchidism, imperforate anus, impure coat color, inverted teats, or intersex pigs in its littermates, it should not be purchased.

It should also be noted that there are some misunderstandings in selecting breeding pigs, which often cause economic losses and even introduce diseases, resulting in total loss.

1. Ignoring the health condition of the selected breeding pigs;

2. Overemphasizing body shape;

3. Requiring body weight to be too large or too small;

4. Introducing breeding stock from multiple breeding pig farms.

Before purchasing breeding pigs, the introducing farm should have an isolation barn. The isolation barn should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected 30 days (at least 7 days) before the breeding pigs arrive, and the disinfection effect should be tested. There must be a loading platform, so that the pig transport personnel can unload the pigs into the farm without entering the farmyard.