What are the key points for the feeding and management of pregnant sows in summer?
I. Pay attention to heat prevention and cooling
The suitable temperature for pregnant sows is 15°C to 18°C. Therefore, in summer, the first thing to do is to prevent heat and cool pregnant sows to prevent heat stress. The measures are: open all the doors and windows of the pig house to allow air convection; build a shade shelter for pregnant sows, often spray cool water on the bodies of pregnant sows, and it is best to set up a bathing pool so that pregnant sows can bathe and cool down, which is beneficial to the normal growth and development of the fetus in the mother's body.
II. Adjust the feed in time
Heat often affects the appetite of pregnant sows, reducing their feed intake. Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the feed in time, increase the proportion of protein and energy feed in the feed, reduce the amount of roughage, feed more green and juicy feed, and improve the nutritional concentration of the feed, so that even when the feed intake is reduced, it can still meet the nutritional needs.
III. Adjust feeding time
At noon in summer it is hot, and pregnant sows mostly have poor appetite. Therefore, daily feeding must be done by feeding breakfast early, feeding dinner late, and feeding more green feed at noon. 80% of the feed should be concentrated in the morning and evening feedings to reduce daytime feed intake and activity.
IV. Ensure feed quality
The quality of the feed directly affects the growth and development of the embryo. If moldy, rancid, toxic or irritating feed is fed, it will cause miscarriage or embryo death. Therefore, when mixing feed, it is strictly forbidden to use moldy, deteriorated, toxic or irritating feed, and it is also necessary to finish each meal's feed in that meal, and not feed deteriorated feed left overnight.
V. Do a good job in hygiene and epidemic prevention
Summer is a season when pathogenic microorganisms grow and reproduce very actively. Doing a good job in hygiene and epidemic prevention in a timely and effective manner is the key to ensuring that pregnant sows pass the summer safely. Therefore, it is necessary to frequently clean the pig pen, not allow feces, urine and sewage to accumulate, keep the pen clean and hygienic, and often scrub the water trough and feed trough, and disinfect the pig pen, feeding utensils, etc. Once a pregnant sow is found not eating, treat it in time.
VI. Repel mosquitoes and flies
At night, mosquito-repellent incense can be lit in the pig house, or gauze-wrapped crystalline trichlorfon can be hung up to repel mosquitoes and flies; if conditions permit, the open areas of the pig house, the doorway, or even the entire yard can be covered with gauze netting.