An old saying on pig farms goes: If you want to make money, rely on sows. Sows are the foundation of a pig farm’s production capacity; piglet survival rates and production efficiency depend entirely on them.
Many pig farms repeatedly encounter difficult farrowings, stillborn piglets, failure to come into heat after weaning, poor milk production, and persistent diarrhea in piglets. In most cases, these are not caused by sudden, highly virulent infectious diseases, but by long-term subclinical ill health in sows, toxin accumulation, and gradually worsening deficiency of qi and blood. Sows cannot ask for help, but their bodies release warning signals. Pig farmers should remember these 10 major warning signs of subclinical ill health, identify and address them early, and reduce major losses!
I. Chronic constipation: Poor intestinal metabolism and toxin accumulation
Feces remain in the intestines, where bacterial endotoxins are reabsorbed, continuously damaging the liver and kidneys and reducing feed intake.
Note: Insufficient water intake, a lack of crude fiber, abdominal pressure during pregnancy, and stress can all trigger constipation.
Two. Eye discharge and tear stains: the liver's detoxification capacity is overloaded
Long-lasting dark brown tear stains at the corners of the eyes indicate a heavy detoxification burden on the liver, toxin buildup, and reduced resistance.
Tip: Barn ammonia, conjunctivitis, and viral diseases can also cause tear stains; assess the situation comprehensively.
Three. Rust-colored lines on the neck and rust-colored skin spots: toxin accumulation
Rust-colored spots that cannot be rubbed off appear on the back and neck. Sows with this condition are poor at raising piglets, and their piglets are weak and have a low survival rate.
Tip: Eperythrozoonosis can also cause rust-colored spots. If symptoms appear, first investigate protozoal infection.
Four. Coarse, disheveled hair: poor circulation of qi and blood
Healthy sows have smooth coats. A dry, disheveled coat and excessive hair loss indicate chronic suboptimal health, with nutrient delivery impeded.
Note: Parasites, nutritional deficiencies, and circovirus disease can also cause a rough coat.
Five. Weak uterine contractions and difficult farrowing: deficiency of qi and blood, resulting in insufficient labor strength
Frequent difficult births and weak labor are often caused by deficiency of qi and blood and insufficient uterine contraction.
Note: Oversized fetuses, abnormal fetal position, calcium deficiency, and stress can also trigger difficult birth.
Six. Low milk production after farrowing and recurrent diarrhea in piglets
Inflammation and toxins in the sow’s body can affect piglets through the mother’s milk.
Note: The causes of diarrhea in piglets are complex. Escherichia coli, coccidia, environmental factors, and insufficient maternal antibodies can all cause illness. Do not focus solely on conditioning the sow.
Seven. Many weak piglets and piglets that are congenitally undersized: insufficient qi and blood
Blood and milk share the same source; milk is produced from qi and blood. Insufficient qi and blood results in poor-quality milk, and piglets that are congenitally weak can easily become runts.
Note: Reproductive-disorder viruses and excessive levels of feed mold can also cause large numbers of weak piglets.
Eight. Prolonged absence of estrus after weaning: slow recovery of the body after farrowing
After ruling out uterine inflammation, this is mostly due to postpartum depletion of qi and blood, which impedes reproductive system repair.
Note: Significant weight loss during lactation, heat stress, and ovarian problems can also delay estrus.
Nine. Bleeding spots on the back and bleeding at the hair roots: risk of liver and spleen damage
Liver and spleen damage can reduce blood-clotting ability and cause bleeding through the pores.
Important reminder: Swine fever and infectious eperythrozoonosis can also cause skin bleeding. First investigate infectious diseases; do not focus solely on health maintenance.
Ten. Stillbirth and rectal prolapse: Beware of mycotoxin damage
Long-term excessive levels of mycotoxins in feed damage the reproductive system of sows, causing stillbirth and rectal prolapse.
Note: Stillbirths are mainly caused by parvovirus, blue-ear disease, and Japanese encephalitis; rectal prolapse is mostly caused by constipation and increased abdominal pressure due to severe coughing.