What to Do About Low Sow Reproductive Rates? Eight Measures to Help You Improve It
Eight Measures to Improve Sow Reproductive Rates
1. Strengthen the feeding and management of sows
During the open period, mid-pregnancy and late lactation of sows, feed more roughage and appropriately supply green feed; in early and late pregnancy and early lactation, provide sufficient concentrated feed rich in protein, minerals and vitamins as well as green, juicy feed, and at the same time provide sows with a relatively stable living environment, reducing external stimuli such as group transfers, driving and fighting as much as possible.
2. Reasonably arrange the breeding season for sows
It is best to choose mating in April-May, then mate again in September-October, and repeat this cycle, so that sows can be mated and give birth in spring and autumn, avoiding the cold and hot winter and summer environments.
3. Mate at the right time.
Generally, mate 19 hours to 30 hours after the sow comes into estrus, when the swelling and redness of the sow's vulva has just begun to subside, filamentous mucus is flowing out, and the sow stands still when pressure is applied to the rear quarters; gilts should begin mating at 7-8 months of age and over 100 kg in body weight.
4. Correct mating methods and ensuring semen quality,
Double mating must be used (that is, mate the first time when the standing response appears, then mate again 12 hours later); this can significantly increase the conception rate and litter size. If artificial insemination technology is used, semen from healthy, high-quality boars and sows must be selected, with each milliliter of semen required to contain more than 0.4 billion sperm and sperm motility above grade 0.6. Equipment must be strictly disinfected. First wash the sow's vulva carefully with 0.01% KmnO4 solution, then slowly insert the insemination tube 20 cm-30 cm into the cervix, then connect the insemination syringe and slowly inject 20 milliliters.
5. Keep detailed records of mating to avoid inbreeding.
6. Do a good job in disease prevention and control
Disease prevention and control work must be carried out on pig farms, especially the prevention of diseases such as Japanese encephalitis, influenza, and brucellosis, and diseases should be treated promptly when discovered. For those with signs of miscarriage, immediately inject 15 mg-25 mg of progesterone and administer a sedative orally to prevent miscarriage.
7. Do a good job in sow farrowing and delivery
Five days to 10 days before farrowing, sweep the farrowing pen clean and spray-disinfect it with 10%-20% fresh limewater; before farrowing, disinfect the sow's abdomen, udder and vulva with 2%-5% Lysol solution. After the sow gives birth, promptly remove the mucus from the piglets' noses and tear off the fetal membranes. For piglets that appear stillborn, first aid methods such as patting the chest, holding them upside down by the hind legs, and stimulating the nose with alcohol can be used. For sows with difficult labor, assist delivery properly so that the sow can give birth smoothly. In addition, keeping warm is especially important for newborn piglets. When piglets are born, the temperature in the farrowing house must be maintained at 26°C-32°C, and from one week to weaning at 26°C-28°C.
8. Piglet weaning and mating sows during lactation:
Wean piglets at 35-40 days of age. Generally, 3 days to 5 days after piglets are weaned, feed the sow estrus-inducing drugs. After the sow comes into estrus, mating during lactation should be carried out immediately to increase the number of litters per year.
During the open period, mid-pregnancy and late lactation of sows, feed more roughage and appropriately supply green feed; in early and late pregnancy and early lactation, provide sufficient concentrated feed rich in protein, minerals and vitamins as well as green, juicy feed, and at the same time provide sows with a relatively stable living environment, reducing external stimuli such as group transfers, driving and fighting as much as possible.
2. Reasonably arrange the breeding season for sows
It is best to choose mating in April-May, then mate again in September-October, and repeat this cycle, so that sows can be mated and give birth in spring and autumn, avoiding the cold and hot winter and summer environments.
3. Mate at the right time.
Generally, mate 19 hours to 30 hours after the sow comes into estrus, when the swelling and redness of the sow's vulva has just begun to subside, filamentous mucus is flowing out, and the sow stands still when pressure is applied to the rear quarters; gilts should begin mating at 7-8 months of age and over 100 kg in body weight.
4. Correct mating methods and ensuring semen quality,
Double mating must be used (that is, mate the first time when the standing response appears, then mate again 12 hours later); this can significantly increase the conception rate and litter size. If artificial insemination technology is used, semen from healthy, high-quality boars and sows must be selected, with each milliliter of semen required to contain more than 0.4 billion sperm and sperm motility above grade 0.6. Equipment must be strictly disinfected. First wash the sow's vulva carefully with 0.01% KmnO4 solution, then slowly insert the insemination tube 20 cm-30 cm into the cervix, then connect the insemination syringe and slowly inject 20 milliliters.
5. Keep detailed records of mating to avoid inbreeding.
6. Do a good job in disease prevention and control
Disease prevention and control work must be carried out on pig farms, especially the prevention of diseases such as Japanese encephalitis, influenza, and brucellosis, and diseases should be treated promptly when discovered. For those with signs of miscarriage, immediately inject 15 mg-25 mg of progesterone and administer a sedative orally to prevent miscarriage.
7. Do a good job in sow farrowing and delivery
Five days to 10 days before farrowing, sweep the farrowing pen clean and spray-disinfect it with 10%-20% fresh limewater; before farrowing, disinfect the sow's abdomen, udder and vulva with 2%-5% Lysol solution. After the sow gives birth, promptly remove the mucus from the piglets' noses and tear off the fetal membranes. For piglets that appear stillborn, first aid methods such as patting the chest, holding them upside down by the hind legs, and stimulating the nose with alcohol can be used. For sows with difficult labor, assist delivery properly so that the sow can give birth smoothly. In addition, keeping warm is especially important for newborn piglets. When piglets are born, the temperature in the farrowing house must be maintained at 26°C-32°C, and from one week to weaning at 26°C-28°C.
8. Piglet weaning and mating sows during lactation:
Wean piglets at 35-40 days of age. Generally, 3 days to 5 days after piglets are weaned, feed the sow estrus-inducing drugs. After the sow comes into estrus, mating during lactation should be carried out immediately to increase the number of litters per year.