In swine production, maintaining a high-performing sow herd requires continuous replacement. This means regularly selecting high-quality gilts to replace older, less productive sows that may show signs of poor health, delayed estrus, low milk production, or poor breeding performance. A gilt refers to a female pig raised specifically for breeding purposes before her first mating. The process of selecting gilts is complex and spans the entire growth cycle, requiring careful evaluation of both genetic background and individual traits.
When choosing maternal gilts, it's essential to look at the performance of their dams—sows that have produced large litters, had high farrowing rates, and weaned heavy piglets. Ideally, the selected gilts should come from 2 to 5 sows within the same lineage. Their parents should exhibit strong productivity, rapid growth, good resilience to stress, and efficient feed conversion. These qualities are crucial for ensuring long-term profitability and herd sustainability.
The siblings of the gilts should also be evaluated. They should display similar carcass characteristics, high uniformity, and minimal variation in size or quality. It’s important to avoid any genetic defects such as hernias, cryptorchidism, or rectal prolapse, which can affect overall herd health and productivity.
When assessing the gilts themselves, several key production metrics should be considered. Their physical appearance should meet breed standards—this includes coat color, head shape, ear structure, body conformation, and overall muscling. They should show good growth and development, with shiny fur, a wide back, well-developed hindquarters, and a balanced, full figure. Legs should be strong and properly aligned, not overly straight, to ensure mobility and longevity.
A minimum of seven pairs of functional teats (six for lean-type pigs) is necessary, with even spacing and no abnormalities like underdeveloped or extra nipples. The udder should be well-developed, firm, and symmetrically shaped, with no signs of inflammation or deformity. Birth weight should exceed 1.5 kg, and by day 28, weaning weight should reach at least 8 kg. At 70 days old, they should weigh around 30 kg, showing moderate body condition without being excessively fat or too thin.
Before their first breeding, gilts must undergo a preliminary screening. Those with underdeveloped reproductive organs, irregular estrus cycles, or unclear heat signs should be excluded to ensure only the most suitable candidates are retained for breeding. This careful selection process is vital for maintaining a productive and healthy sow population over time.
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