Methods and Technical Key Points for Multi-Litter, High-Yield Breeding of Sows

The main purpose of raising sows is to produce piglets. To increase piglet production and thereby improve economic returns, we usually adopt a variety of methods to reasonably increase sow productivity. After long-term research and summary, there are many methods to improve sow productivity, so today the editor will mainly introduce several relatively common methods here, hoping to be of some help to everyone.

1. Select high-quality breeding pigs

If sows are to have multiple litters and high yields, then the selection of breeding pigs is the most basic condition. We cannot choose sows that are costly in appearance, difficult to manage and raise, and whose annual litter size is pitifully low for breeding. Therefore, we should choose robust breeds with high litter sizes for breeding. Then we need to make full preparations, study the production and rearing history of the selected breeding pigs over successive generations as well as market conditions for a comprehensive analysis, and finally select the highest-quality breeding pigs, so that the litter size is guaranteed to a certain extent.

2. Strengthen feeding management

The quality of sow mating will affect the yield and quality of piglets, so we must strengthen the feeding management of sows. First, in the early stage of pregnancy, we need to ensure good nutrition for the sow, providing it with sufficient protein, vitamins and other trace elements. Second, in the mid-pregnancy stage, there is no need for excessive feed; only sufficient roughage is needed, otherwise the sow may have its fertility affected by excess nutrition. Then, after farrowing, the sow has a relatively small appetite, so we should first feed some highly nutritious food, then slowly increase the amount of roughage. At the same time, in daily feeding, we must carry out reasonable rationing strictly according to the sow's nutritional needs.

3. Choose timely mating

The mating time for sows must be arranged reasonably, otherwise it will cause great harm to both the piglet yield and the sow itself. According to the normal procedure, we should wait until after the piglets are weaned, that is, about one and a half months, and mate about one day after the sow comes into estrus. At this time, the success rate of mating will be higher, and miscarriage will not occur. But sometimes the sow's estrus period is relatively late, so we can feed an appropriate amount of estrus-inducing drug about one day after weaning, which can make the sow come into estrus, and then carry out mating. Finally, the best time for sow mating is April to May and September to October each year, which can avoid the occurrence of colds and heatstroke.

4. Select high-quality boars

The selection of high-quality breeding boars is also a relatively basic condition for mating success rate and farrowing rate. If the breeding boar is not well chosen, then the piglets produced will not be numerous, and the quality will not be good either. We should choose boars that are robust, have high-quality sperm, are at the suitable mating stage, and have not been mated frequently for breeding, so as to raise sow productivity.

5. Do a good job of protecting the fetus

The periods from ten to fifteen days after successful mating and about twenty days before farrowing are very prone to miscarriage, so we must be especially careful during these two periods and take safety measures to protect the fetus. First, we can feed more high-quality feed rich in protein, vitamins and other nutrients. Second, we should do a good job in daily management and clear away all items in the pigsty that could injure the sow. Finally, we should carry out epidemic prevention measures, which can effectively protect the fetus.

6. Control the sow's body condition

To increase the litter size of sows, the management of the sow's body condition is also very important. It is best to keep the sow in a state that is neither fat nor thin, as this is the sow's optimal condition. If the sow is too fat, it is very prone to slipping the fetus and low litter size; if too thin, it is not easy to conceive. Therefore, the sow's body condition should be kept reasonable. In the usual feeding and management process, carry out scientific feeding according to the sow's growth condition. At the same time, calcium supplementation management should be carried out for the sow, otherwise it is very easy to cause paralysis before or after farrowing.