How to Raise Pregnant Sows in Winter? Detailed Explanation of Feeding and Management Key Points
? (1) Reduce the Number of Embryo Deaths
After a sow becomes pregnant, during the early implantation period from day 9 to 13, the zygote is susceptible to death from various factors. A second death peak occurs in the 3rd week after conception, and the two death peaks together account for 30%-40% of the total number of zygotes; the 3rd death peak occurs 60-70 days after mating. In production, embryo loss can be reduced to a minimum by strengthening feeding management and improving the pig house environment. The temperature of the pig house should be maintained at 16-22°C, and the relative humidity should be maintained at 70%-80%. After mating, the feed amount should be reduced to a lower level than before, but high-quality complete feed should be guaranteed. Keep the pen clean and hygienic to reduce the chance of infection.
(2) Choose an Appropriate Feeding Method
1. "Grasp both ends and take care of the middle": This method is suitable for multiparous sows in poor body condition. That is, feed more concentrated feed 20 days before mating and 10 days after mating. After body condition recovers, mainly feed green feed and feed according to the feeding standard until 80 days after conception, then add concentrated feed again, but the nutritional level in the later stage should be higher than in the earlier stage.
2. "Coarse first, fine later": This method is suitable for multiparous sows in good body condition before mating. That is, feed more green and concentrated feed in the early stage of pregnancy, and then feed concentrated feed in the later stage.
3. "Step by step climbing higher": This method is suitable for first-litter sows and sows mated during lactation. In the early stage of pregnancy, mainly feed green and coarse feed, gradually increase the proportion of concentrated feed, and correspondingly increase protein and minerals in the feed. Note that 1 week before farrowing, the daily ration should be reduced by 10%-20%.
???? (3) Provide Sufficient Nutrition for the Sow and Piglets
The nutrients obtained by a pregnant sow from the daily ration first meet the growth and development needs of the fetus, then supply her own needs, and also reserve some nutrients for lactation. Therefore, meeting the supply of nutrients is necessary to ensure the normal growth and development of the sow and fetus. Thus, in production, in addition to providing the sow with sufficient energy and protein feed, it is also necessary to provide the pregnant sow with sufficient reproductive nutrition. Adding 1% Shengming No. 1 can ensure that its reproductive nutrition needs are met.
? (4) Use Reasonable Feeding Techniques
The daily ration fed to pregnant sows, in addition to being hygienic and quality-guaranteed, must also contain a certain amount of green and coarse feed, so that the sow feels full after eating and the fetus is not compressed. Green and coarse feed is rich in amino acids, vitamins and trace elements, which is beneficial to the normal growth and development of the fetus. At the same time, provide sufficient drinking water. In addition, it is strictly forbidden to feed moldy, frozen, toxic and strongly irritating feed, otherwise it is easy to cause abortion; do not change feed varieties at will. Green and coarse feed should be fed in small amounts and added frequently, and the sow should be allowed to drink clean water at all times.
???? (5) Feeding Before and After Pregnancy
About 20 days after the sow becomes pregnant, the embryos are very susceptible to environmental conditions, so special care should be given in feeding and management, and high-quality complete feed should be provided. In the last month of pregnancy, on the one hand, the fetal body weight increases sharply and requires a large amount of nutrients; on the other hand, due to the increase in uterine volume, the digestive organs are compressed, which easily causes insufficient feed intake in pigs. Therefore, moderately increase the nutritional concentration of the feed. Add Shengming No. 1 one month before farrowing to provide the sow with key reproductive nutrition, and it can promote the development of the fetal intestinal tract, immune organs and body weight gain.
???? (6) Effectively Strengthen Management
Pregnant sows are best raised in individual pens. The pen surface should be flat, dry and clean, and kept warm in winter and cool in summer. The manure accumulation pit should be shallow, and the slope should not be too steep.
Within the 1st month after the sow becomes pregnant, she should eat well, sleep well, and exercise less in order to recover physical strength and body condition, but during pregnancy the sow should be allowed to exercise appropriately more, and the amount of exercise should be reduced in the later stage. Activity should be stopped 1 week before farrowing. Exercise should be stopped on rainy or snowy days or in excessively cold weather to prevent slipping or severe uterine contractions caused by freezing that may lead to abortion. It is strictly forbidden to whip the sow, do not drive her, and prevent crowding and rapid turning. If there are signs of abortion, progesterone should be injected promptly.
? (7) Do a Good Job in Pre-farrowing Preparations
The weather in winter and spring is cold, so wind protection and warmth retention work need to be done well. It is best to set up a special farrowing room for the sow. The farrowing room should be warm and dry, with humidity maintained at 65%-75%, comfortable and quiet, with sufficient sunlight and fresh air, and temperature maintained at 22-23°C. To ensure the control of temperature and humidity, spray Hushean in the farrowing room and on the sow farrowing bed to remove moisture, inhibit the reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms, and reduce the occurrence of diseases. For sows with good body condition and udder development, feed should be reduced 3-5 days before farrowing, gradually reduced to 1/2 or 1/3 of the feeding level during pregnancy, and feeding of green and juicy feed should be stopped. For sows in poor body condition and with poor udder development, not only should feed not be reduced before farrowing, but some feed rich in protein and vitamins should also be added. Drive them into the farrowing room 3-5 days before farrowing, and at the same time prepare farrowing equipment and sufficient bedding straw.