Small details in sow farrowing room management affect lactation and piglet survival rate

    The profit of a pig farm comes from the market hog finishing rate, yet the weaned piglet survival rate in turn affects the market hog finishing rate. To ensure a high survival rate, the 1---5 days after farrowing are the critical period for the sow, because these five days determine whether the sow's reproductive system can recover quickly after farrowing and whether it becomes infected with pathogens, and whether lactation capacity reaches its optimal state; all of this affects the piglet survival rate.

Sow

    I. Careful observation:

    Observe the discharge of lochia in the sow. Lochia is normally fully expelled within 3—5 days after farrowing. If a large amount of lochia is still being expelled after 5 days, or if it has a foul odor, it indicates that the sow's uterus is infected and treatment should be given promptly.

    II. Sow feeding method:

    On the first day after farrowing, the sow's feed intake should be controlled; eating too much is not good for uterine recovery. The sow's feeding amount on the first day is 2.5—3.0kg, then increases by 0.5kg per day until the fifth day, when feeding is no longer restricted. In summer, feed 5—6 times per day, and it is best to add one feeding at night.

    III. Postpartum health care for the sow:

    On the first and fourth days after farrowing, inject long-acting oxytetracycline intramuscularly into the sow: first, it can prevent postpartum infection; second, it can prevent piglet yellow and white scour through the milk. Feed 100g Yimu Shenghua San (Leonurus and Rehmannia powder) daily for 5—7 consecutive days. This helps the sow's uterus recover and prevents mastitis.

    IV. Methods for handling no milk or low milk production after farrowing:

    If the sow has no milk or low milk production after farrowing due to mastitis, inject or infuse cephalosporin. If it is due to nutritional deficiency, cook fish soup for the pig to eat and add high-quality fishmeal to the feed.

    V. Methods for handling a sow refusing to nurse:

    Refusal to nurse after farrowing mostly occurs in first-litter sows. First-litter sows undergo great physiological changes; in particular, the pain and fear of farrowing make timid sows afraid of nursing, so they do not lie down to nurse. Even if milk is already flowing from the teats, they may still bite or bite to death the piglets.

    Handling method: Let the sow drink one jin of baijiu, and the sow will lie down to nurse. As long as the sow has nursed for the first time, there will be no problem afterward.