The importance of sow teats: an easily overlooked issue on pig farms

PSY is the most important economic trait for a pig farm, and it is determined by the number of live piglets produced per sow per year and the pre-weaning piglet survival rate. A high number of live piglets born per sow shows, on the one hand, that the herd has high-yield genes, and on the other hand, it also confirms excellent breeding and gestation management. The higher the PSY performance of a pig farm, the greater the proportion accounted for by the pre-weaning piglet survival rate, and the factors behind the pre-weaning piglet survival rate are closely tied to whether the sow can successfully nurse her piglets. Protecting the integrity of the sow's teats is the most critical step for successful nursing of suckling piglets. In actual production, it is fairly common for sows to be unable to nurse due to severe teat damage.

Conclusion

In summary, the greatest effects on external trauma to sow teats come from the gap size of slatted floors and the quality of slatted floors; while the internal damage to the sow's mammary glands is mainly mastitis, necrosis caused by mycotoxins, and the like. Therefore, adjusting the floor type and quality, doing a good job of sanitation and nutrient supply, and properly regulating mycotoxins are the keys to preventing mammary damage in sows.