Reasons and Solutions for Sows' Breeding Difficulties in Summer
Friends who raise pigs all know that sows bred in summer produce noticeably fewer piglets, and stillbirths also occur, seriously affecting production efficiency. So what causes breeding difficulties in sows in summer? Let's take a look.
1. High temperatures
Summer temperatures are relatively high, and the vitality of boars is related to a certain extent to the ambient temperature. The higher the ambient temperature, the lower the boars' vitality; semen becomes thin, and dead and weak sperm increase. This is the direct cause of the low conception rate of sows in summer. Therefore, many pig farmers generally do not breed in summer. In summer, ventilation or spray cooling equipment can be installed in the pens, heat prevention and cooling work can be done well, and the temperature should be controlled below 25 as much as possible to increase boars' vitality and improve the conception rate.
2. Insufficient nutrition
If the intake of nutrients needed for sow reproduction is insufficient, sows will show irregular estrus and ovulation, directly affecting breeding and conception, and resulting in stillbirths or weak fetuses. At the same time, under high-temperature seasons, the stability of vitamins in feed is relatively poor, and green fodder is insufficient, which will cause a deficiency of vitamins in the feed. This is also one of the reasons for the low conception rate and abnormal embryonic development of normal sows in summer. Therefore, in summer, green fodder should be supplemented, and compound electrolytes should be added to drinking water to supplement the deficiency of vitamins.
3. Insufficient exercise
Summer weather is hot, and sows exercise very little, which leads to weakness of the hind limbs and thus affects breeding. Boars' low exercise volume also causes decreased vitality and directly affects the conception rate. Therefore, in summer, sows and boars should be guaranteed regular activity of more than one hour. At the same time, the cooling work in the pig house should also be done well; otherwise, high-temperature exercise is very likely to cause heatstroke.
4. Disease infection
After a sow is infected with porcine parvovirus, it may come into estrus, or may neither come into estrus nor farrow; after infection with swine fever, its immunity is compromised, causing reproductive disorders; in summer, pigs are highly susceptible to Japanese encephalitis. Boars show decreased sexual function and reduced semen quality, while sows show breeding difficulties, abortion, stillbirths, etc. Therefore, in summer, environmental sanitation conditions should first be ensured, regular cleaning and disinfection should be carried out, bacterial growth in the pens should be reduced, and targeted prevention and treatment should be carried out after disease occurs to avoid further deterioration of the condition.
The above is an introduction to the causes of and solutions to sows' breeding difficulties in summer. We hope it can help you. To learn more related knowledge, please follow us.