How to make sure that all aspects of breeding are performed at an optimal level. Danish breeding company DanBred composed a 6-chapter manual in which every aspect, from quarantine to post-farrowing is described in detail. To give an idea, Pig Progress presents 1 chapter of the manual: gestation management.
During gestation it is important that the sows’ nutrient requirements for foetus production, restoration of body condition and udder growth are met through balanced feeding. The goal is to make sure the sows achieve an optimum body condition, so they are in good shape for farrowing and the nursing period that follows. And to achieve this, it may be necessary to adjust individual feed rations for sows which are either too thin or too fat.
5 days after mating, the implantation period starts. Lasting between 3 and 4 weeks, this is when the fertilised eggs form the placenta and it has an enormous impact on the litter size. Because of this, sows and gilts should not be moved around, re-grouped or be exposed to anything that could be stressful during the first 4 weeks after mating, as this could result in smaller litters.
It is a good idea to put sows and gilts into a vaccination programme, made in collaboration with the herd veterinarian, to reduce the risk of reproductive diseases spreading through the herd.
Both with and without dietary fibres in the gestation feed, it can be an advantage to provide straw on the side in order to ensure full and calm sows. Photo: DanBred
妊娠飼料中不管有沒有添加膳食纖維，在豬舍一旁提供稻草都有好處，可以讓母豬飽腹并保持平靜。
Everyday tasks in the gestation unit include:
· The inspection of all animals at least once a day to check for any signs of disease;
· Between 4 and 6 weeks after mating, all sows and gilts should be tested for pregnancy.
妊娠欄的日常工作：
每天至少對所有豬進行一次檢查，查看是否有任何疾病跡象；
配種后4-6周，所有母豬及后備母豬都應進行驗孕。
Figure 1 – Scaling of sows.
圖1—母豬身材比例
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Gestation control
妊娠控制
Regular testing of all mated animals for pregnancy presents an insight into the overall fertility of the herd. And because of that, it is possible to quickly identify empty sows which can be mated again, or culled, regular pregnancy testing will reduce the overall number of non-productive days.
It is a good idea to heat control the sows with a teaser boar every day from day 19 to day 28 after mating. Some sows experience a prolonged return interval, so it is important to do heat control for a few more days. It is best to carry out heat control during a quiet time of the day using an experienced and active boar – and if possible, using different boars.
Pregnancy control, carried out with an ultrasound scanner, will have to start on day 28 until day 42. It is vital to make sure every single sow is scanned.
Adjusting feed in the gestation unit is highly dependent on the feed systems, however feed curves and routines should be similar regardless of system. Photo: DanBred
When there is any doubt about the result of a scan, it is a good idea to mark the sow, in order to scan her again within a week. Should the sow remain empty, the animal has to be marked and moved to the mating unit – or be prepared for culling.
Pregnancy control is an important part of the herd operation – and so are due care and proper registration of the results. It is the best way of finding and eliminating the cause of mistakes and hidden diseases.