Many pig farmers who breed and raise their own pigs have encountered this situation:
Vaccinations are given on time and feed has not been skimped on, yet the sows have irregular estrus, weak standing heat, frequent return to service, and inconsistent conception, so the number of piglets per litter never increases.
Especially now, many pig farms do not keep boars. Heat detection and stimulation are inadequate, the optimal breeding time is missed, and the sows’ potential for high productivity is wasted, costing them a lot of income over the course of a year.
More piglets per sow—it's not luck, it's all in the management details!
Today, we're sharing 5 sets of practical, high-yield sow management procedures developed on the front lines of pig farms. From inducing estrus after weaning and adjusting body condition to scientific breeding and avoiding pitfalls during gestation, the entire process is simple and practical. With proper management, each litter can consistently produce 2-3 more piglets, creating a clear gap in annual returns!
First tip: Precise short-term flushing for synchronized estrus and more consistent ovulation
For replacement gilts, switch directly to lactation feed 14 days before breeding; for sows that have farrowed before, switch on the day of weaning to stimulate estrus and ovulation.
For sows that are somewhat thin, with a body condition score of seven, feed 6-7 jin per day;
For somewhat overweight sows, with a body condition score of eight, feed 5 jin per day to control their body condition.
Continue for about 7 days to bring the sows to a golden body condition score of 7-8.
Pig farms without boars for heat detection can use boar-scent attractant to help stimulate estrus, promote more synchronized and consistent estrus expression among sows, stabilize ovulation, and prevent irregular estrus from disrupting the breeding schedule.
Second tip: Provide sufficient nutrition after weaning to promote full follicles and facilitate breeding
Start supplementing energy to promote follicle development on the day the sows are weaned:
Mix 150 grams of glucose into each sow’s feed daily to quickly restore energy and reduce the incidence of no estrus after weaning.
Supplement daily with 2-3 cooked eggs to increase animal protein. If eggs are unavailable, 100 grams of fish meal can be used as a substitute.
For sows with well-developed follicles, adequate body condition, and clear standing heat, one injection of ovulation promoter No. 3 may be given as appropriate before breeding to increase the number of dominant follicles.
Consistent daily estrus stimulation during the weaning stage can greatly increase the likelihood that sows come into heat on time, helping avoid missing the optimal breeding window.
Tip three: Use scientific, precise breeding to reduce returns and improve the fertilization rate
Do not use oxytocin indiscriminately. It is only suitable for multiparous sows that stand weakly and are prone to returning; use it 3-5 minutes before insemination. Do not use it in sows with a history of difficult farrowing or a narrow birth canal; its use is not recommended for replacement gilts.
Before breeding, stimulate estrus so the sow stands completely still and remains calm.
At farms without boar assistance, lightly spray a little boar-scent attractant to reinforce the standing reflex, helping the sow stay calmer and move around less.
Wait until the sow's contractions have settled before inseminating. Keep the duration to 5-8 minutes. After insemination, gently pat her hindquarters and let her rest lying down for 15 minutes. Do not hurry or drive her along; this minimizes semen backflow and greatly improves the fertilization rate.
Fourth tip: For the first 7 days after mating, strictly control feeding to reduce early embryo mortality.
Many pig farms have low litter sizes, and the problem lies in the first 7 days after mating!
Immediately after breeding is complete, switch back to gestation feed. Feed sows in normal body condition about 4 jin per day, adjusting flexibly based on backfat.
Days 11-16 after breeding are a critical period for embryo implantation. Feeding too well in the early stage and providing too much energy can easily lead to embryo death, failure to conceive, or return to estrus.
Important reminder: After a sow has been successfully bred, stop all estrus-inducing stimulation. Do not spray any more scent agents, to avoid causing restlessness and stress in the sow, which could affect successful embryo implantation.
Tip five: The golden period for pregnancy protection is 30 days after breeding; prevent miscarriage and weak piglets
The 30 days before mating are the high-risk period when sow embryos are most vulnerable.
During this period, ensure the following:
Do not transfer between groups, mix groups, deworm, or administer vaccines indiscriminately; minimize all sources of stress.
Strictly avoid drugs that can harm the fetus, such as florfenicol, dexamethasone, and sulfonamides.
Complete vaccinations for swine fever and pseudorabies during the non-pregnant period whenever possible. If a vaccination is missed, administer it after 30 days, once the placenta is firmly established.
For mild inflammation or respiratory problems, prioritize gentle medication and avoid medication whenever possible.
These five management steps are interconnected and build on one another.
High sow productivity is not the result of a single practice, but of the entire process: body condition + nutrition + heat detection + mating + pregnancy maintenance.
As long as you implement this process strictly, you can achieve noticeable improvements:
Common challenges such as delayed onset of estrus, poor standing heat, return to estrus after breeding, embryo death, and low litter sizes can significantly boost pig farm productivity.
Pig farming tip: Farms without a boar for heat detection can keep a bottle of boar scent on hand. It is handy for stimulating heat after weaning and helping sows stand calmly for breeding.