Detailed Explanation of Gilt Selection Methods and Technical Points

1. Select gilts from the offspring of excellent boars and sows: When selecting and retaining gilts, efforts should be made to understand the production performance of their parents and direct blood relatives. Gilts should be selected from the offspring of excellent boars and sows that have high feed conversion efficiency, fast weight gain, good meat quality, high dressing percentage, good mothering ability, large litters, strong lactation, fast piglet growth and development, heavy weaning weight, and strong adaptability.

2. Breed characteristics for selecting and retaining gilts: The external appearance should have a refined head shape, bright and spirited eyes, good mothering ability, level shoulder blades, a broad and deep chest, a straight, broad and long back and loin, a broad rump and ham, full muscles, limbs of moderate thickness that are strong and powerful, a correct stance, and all body parts coordinated and well-proportioned. Teats should be normally developed, with more than 6 pairs of functional teats, neatly arranged, of moderate thickness and length, evenly spaced, with obvious characteristics. The coat should be sparse, short and glossy, and the body surface smooth and elastic. Wang Xiaohui