Grazing Rearing Sow Management
The management of gilts plays a crucial role in determining their initial age, growth rate, and long-term productivity. Most farms use imported breeds, which generally share similar characteristics—such as delayed sexual maturity and subtle estrus signs—which can make breeding more challenging. As a result, proper gilt development has become increasingly important for successful reproduction.
For optimal breeding performance, gilts should be mated after two or more estrus cycles, weighing over 100 kg, and preferably older than seven months. This indicates that they have reached sexual maturity, with well-developed reproductive systems capable of supporting pregnancy and farrowing. A weight of over 100 kg also ensures that the gilt is physically ready for adult life.
In terms of feeding strategies, overfeeding gilts can lead to rapid growth and delayed estrus, while underfeeding may hinder development. Therefore, controlled feeding is widely recommended. However, in practice, over-restriction often occurs, leading to delays in puberty onset. To avoid this, gilts are usually allowed free access to feed until they reach about 70 kg at five months old. From five to six months, mineral- and Vitamin-rich diets are introduced, with a daily intake of around 2 kg. After six months, feed amounts are gradually increased to promote faster weight gain and encourage estrus, maintaining body condition between 80% and 90%.
For gilts that fail to show estrus, several measures can be taken, such as introducing them to boars to increase activity, adding vitamins like E and A, along with green feeds and carrots to their diet, and even administering aphrodisiac horse serum.
Pregnant sow feeding is a critical aspect of pig production, aiming to achieve three main goals: producing large, healthy litters; ensuring normal mammary gland development and milk production; and minimizing feed costs during gestation. There are several key periods during pregnancy:
1. Within the first three days post-breeding, high-energy feeding can increase embryonic mortality due to cell differentiation.
2. Around day 12 to 21, when the embryos implant, high nutrition or heat stress can also increase embryonic loss.
3. Between 70 to 90 days, mammary gland cells proliferate, and excessive energy intake may negatively affect their development.
4. After 100 days, fetal growth becomes critical. If malnutrition occurs, it can lead to stillbirths. At this stage, adequate feed must be provided, but feeding should be reduced three days before farrowing to prevent dystocia. Energy levels should be around 12%, with lysine at 0.43%.
During lactation, sows must balance nursing piglets and recovering their own health. High-energy, high-protein, and palatable feeds are essential. A comfortable environment helps increase feed intake. Proper feeding schedules, hygiene, and postnatal care are vital for sow health.
Milk composition remains relatively stable regardless of feed changes, so sows rely on both feed and stored body nutrients like fat and calcium. Underfeeding can lead to insufficient milk and weight loss. Adding oil to the feed (1–3%) improves energy content, palatability, and feed intake. Sows should have access to water immediately after birth, receive small meals initially, and by day seven, be fed wet mash. They typically consume over 6 kg per day, with three meals in winter and four in summer.
Before farrowing, sows should be cleaned and disinfected, and colostrum should be expressed to ensure piglets receive it. For difficult births, oxytocin or manual assistance may be used. Oxytocin is preferred for older, thin sows, while manual intervention is needed for oversized or improperly positioned piglets. All tools must be sterilized, and antibiotics administered post-delivery to prevent infections.
Managing suckling pigs is key to improving survival rates, uniformity, and weaning success. Early colostrum intake, teat fixation, temperature control, iron supplementation, and timely feeding are all important.
Weaned pigs face the greatest challenge in pig farming, with high disease prevalence and mortality rates, often leading to financial losses. Their immune systems are weak, making them vulnerable to pathogens. Breast milk provides antibodies that help protect them. Diseases like mycoplasma, porcine circovirus, and blue ear disease can weaken immunity further.
To ease the transition from milk to solid feed, enzyme supplements are added pre-weaning to reduce gastric acid. Feeding should be frequent in small portions, and a suitable environment maintained. Medications like Zhiyuanjing, amoxicillin, and chlortetracycline are often used to prevent illness.
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