How to solve low feed intake in lactating sows
After farrowing, a sow needs to nurse her piglets. But many pig farmers find during the lactation period that the lactating sow eats relatively little. This not only affects the lactating sow's nutrient absorption, but also reduces her milk production, leading to insufficient breast milk for the piglets and thus a lower survival rate. So what should be done when a lactating sow has low feed intake? Below, the editor gives a brief introduction for everyone. Let's take a look!
1. Reasonable cooling
Temperature has a very large effect on a sow's feed intake, although some farmers do adopt cooling methods during the lactation period. However, when cooling, most of them overlook the main details of cooling, so the cooling effect is poor. When cooling, it is best to use drip cooling together with negative-pressure ventilation, as this can effectively increase the sow's feed intake. Keep the water temperature at around 20 degrees, and keep the drip rate at 40-50 drops per minute, but note that the humidity in the sow house must not be too high.
2. Sufficient drinking water
We should also provide the lactating sow with plenty of clean drinking water, which can reduce the heat stress caused by high temperatures. It can also effectively increase the sow's feed intake, so we should raise the sow's water intake and ensure water quality and water temperature. An appropriate amount of substances such as baking soda can be added to the water, which can noticeably reduce heat stress. A sow's water intake and feed intake can be said to be in direct proportion, so if you want to increase a sow's feed intake, then starting with the sow's drinking water and increasing her water intake is a very good approach.
3. Postpartum uterine care
Many farmers do not do a good job of postpartum uterine care within three days after the sow farrows, and generally only give her an intramuscular injection. This causes the sow to have a relatively large stress response, with a rise in body temperature and low appetite, resulting in the phenomenon of low feed intake. Therefore we must do a good job of postpartum uterine care. Within one week after the sow farrows, use potassium permanganate to clean and disinfect the sow's vulva and hindquarters. After farrowing is finished, promptly expel the foreign matter from the sow's body. Finally, inject a long-acting sensitive antibiotic product once to reduce inflammation in the sow.
4. Feeding management
Feeding management in the first week after the sow gives birth is very important. After the first week, feed must not be supplemented too much or too quickly, otherwise it will affect the sow's feed intake throughout the entire lactation period. Therefore, in the first week, pay attention to controlling the feed intake well, and only after the first week let her eat freely. Then when feeding the feed, it is best to feed at the time of day when the temperature is lowest, with wet feed as the main type, and appropriately increase the number of feedings, which can effectively enhance the sow's feed intake. But note that the number of feedings per day must not exceed 5 times, otherwise it may also cause a stress response.
The above is a brief introduction to what to do when a lactating sow has low feed intake. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only, and I hope it can help everyone!