Detailed Explanation of Key Points in Sow Feeding and Management Techniques
I. Feeding Standards
1. On the day of weaning, feed only 1 kg per head, then increase to 2.5-3 kg per head per day until estrus and mating.
Within 18 days after mating: 1.8-2.0 kg per head per day; in the three days before the estrus period (18-21 days after mating), increase to 3-3.5 kg per head; if no further estrus occurs, it can be preliminarily determined that mating has taken (conception); thereafter, until 30 days before farrowing (84 days of gestation), feed 2.2-2.5 kg per day of pre-gestation feed (Tainong "Company + Farmer" gestation feed). From 84 days of gestation, feed 2.5-2.8 kg per day; until farrowing and after weaning before mating, Tainong "Company + Farmer" lactating sow feed can be used. Feed increases should be gradual and adjusted appropriately according to the sow's body condition (fat or thin).
2. Three days before farrowing (7 days for new sows), feed should be reduced to 2-2.5 kg per day; on the day of farrowing (see sow care), feed within 1 kg or no feed (bran or green feed with a laxative effect can be used as a substitute), but sufficient clean water with electrolytes and vitamins should be provided to reduce farrowing stress. After farrowing, the first meal should be 0.5-1 kg, then gradually increased (by 0.5 kg per day) until full amount after 7 days. The full amount should be based on the number of piglets: for 8 or fewer piglets, 4 kg per day; for each additional piglet, increase feeding by 0.5 kg per day (for example, 4.5 kg for 9 piglets, 5 kg for 10 piglets), until 3 days before weaning, then gradually reduce feed to 2-2.5 kg per day, and do not feed on the day of weaning. Whether a lactating sow has sufficient feed intake has a major relationship with piglet growth and the litter size of the next parity. In hot summer, attention should be paid to heat dissipation for the sow; when necessary, feed several more meals (during the cooler evening) or add water to make wet feed to increase the sow's appetite.
II. Sow Care
1. Signs of Sow Farrowing
(1) The normal gestation period for sows is 114 days (usually with a difference of a few days), so mating dates must be recorded in detail. New sows farrow earlier than multiparous sows, and when litter size is larger, farrowing also occurs earlier. From 14-20 days before farrowing, the vulva begins to become flushed and edematous, and slightly subsides and becomes dark red just before farrowing.
(2) Changes in mammary glands and milk: Under normal circumstances, if the front teats can spray milk when lightly squeezed, farrowing will occur within about a few hours; when the last teats can express milk, farrowing will occur within about 6-12 hours.
(3) Behavioral manifestations: frequent defecation and urination, restlessness with getting up and lying down, rubbing the floor with the nose disc, and other uneasy behaviors; when abdominal pain or straining begins, mucus or meconium flows out of the birth canal.
2. Assisting at Birth
(1) Preparation: clean dry cloth, canine tooth clippers, warming lamp (infrared bulb), piglet protection box, disinfectant (iodine tincture, povidone-iodine), etc.
(2) After piglets are born: Remove the mucus from the mouth and nose of the newborn piglet, wipe the whole body dry with a dry cloth, and place it in the piglet protection box with the warming lamp on. After all piglets are delivered, clip the canine teeth, dock the tail, and cut the umbilical cord leaving 4-6 cm and removing the rest. Disinfect wounds and instruments with disinfectant (povidone-iodine). Wait until the sow lies down, then place the piglets beside the sow's udder to allow natural suckling. The weaker and smaller piglets should be helped to suck from the more anterior teats, and strong piglets should be prevented from pushing and monopolizing.
(3) Dystocia: If the interval between piglet births exceeds 30 minutes or the farrowing process exceeds 6 hours, it is considered dystocia. The type of dystocia should first be determined and the corresponding assistance method adopted. If the sow has weak labor but the cervix is already dilated, oxytocin can be injected (dosage determined by sow size). If still ineffective, manual assistance should be used. At this time, the hands must first be cleaned, disinfected, nails trimmed and smoothed, and artificial amniotic fluid or other lubricant applied, then slowly inserted into the birth canal, using fingers or obstetric instruments to help deliver the piglet. When pulling out the piglet, it should be pulled out slowly in coordination with the sow's straining force. Sows that have undergone manual assistance should be treated with antibacterial agents to prevent the occurrence of endometritis.
(4) For sows with postpartum agalactia syndrome (MMA syndrome): the cause should be identified and corresponding treatment methods adopted, such as: correct feeding, prevention of constipation, metritis and mastitis, and prevention of heatstroke and heat stress in hot seasons.
III. Daily Management
(1) Frequently patrol and carefully observe the sow's appetite, drinking, feces, and environment, and closely monitor the behavior of sows about to farrow, to prevent sows from crushing piglets, and to detect intestinal diseases of piglets early, especially early-onset colibacillosis. Once discovered, the whole litter should be treated immediately, because the earlier the treatment, the better the effect and prognosis.
(2) Always keep the farrowing crate and the sow's abdomen clean and sanitary. Never wet the farrowing crate or the piglets' bodies.
(3) The room temperature of the farrowing sow house should be controlled at 20°C, which is the most comfortable temperature for sows, but the activity area for newborn piglets should be maintained at 30-34°C, and for larger piglets it can gradually decrease, so the piglet activity area should be separated from the sow.
(4) Pay attention to ventilation to prevent harmful gases (ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, etc.) from harming the pigs' respiratory tract.
(5) Sows should be provided with sufficient sanitary, clean drinking water (lactating sows need 40 liters per day), especially in hot summer, and attention should be paid to insufficient water pressure or malfunction of drinkers.
(6) At weaning, drive the sow away first, and group piglets with insufficient body weight together and find sows with better maternal qualities to foster them.
(7) Carefully keep all records, truthfully reflect production levels, and review the causes of poor productivity and reduced rearing rates so as to truly improve production technology and efficiency.
IV. Disease Prevention and Treatment
(1) Endometritis: Wash the uterus several times with 0.1% potassium permanganate aqueous solution, then inject physiological saline containing antibiotics (such as penicillin).
(2) Mastitis: First perform udder massage, then use antibacterial agents with high sensitivity to the infecting bacteria for local or systemic treatment.
(3) Agalactia: Remove the main causes of agalactia (such as endometritis, mastitis, postpartum anorexia, summer heat stress, etc.), and use antibacterial agents such as penicillins, cephalosporins, chloramphenicols, or long-acting tetracyclines, combined with supportive therapy drugs such as: caffeine sodium benzoate (cardiotonic), vitamin B complex, vitamin C, calcium gluconate, or effective traditional Chinese medicine extracts, etc. Xiao Zhijian