The key to sow production is producing many piglets that are large and healthy. When the number of sows is fixed, the quality of sow husbandry and management—especially the management of pregnant sows—directly affects the number and quality of piglets produced. As the cold season approaches, shorter daylight hours can adversely affect the normal growth and development of pregnant sows. Farmers should strengthen feeding and management to make the most of the sows’ productive performance and improve the economic benefits of pig farming.
Control Body Condition
Good body condition is an important prerequisite for maintaining high reproductive performance in sows. The reproductive effects of sows that are too thin can be seen in a longer interval from weaning to estrus and fewer piglets per litter. Sows that are too fat can also have impaired reproductive performance. Therefore, feed intake must be controlled; excessive fatness in sows can cause fertilized eggs to die.
Provide Adequate Nutrition
The nutrients consumed by a pregnant sow serve four purposes: maintaining the sow’s body; supporting the growth and development of the sow (especially young sows); building nutrient reserves for lactation; and supporting fetal growth and development. In addition to being hygienic and of good quality, the ration for pregnant sows should contain a certain amount of green and coarse fodder, so that the sow feels full after eating without putting pressure on the fetuses. Green and coarse fodder is rich in amino acids, vitamins, and trace elements, which benefit normal fetal growth and development. Provide ample drinking water as well. Never feed moldy, frozen, toxic, or strongly irritating feed, as this can easily cause miscarriage. Do not change feed types arbitrarily; offer green and coarse fodder in small amounts frequently, and ensure the sow always has access to clean drinking water.
Make Preparations for Farrowing
In autumn, take measures to protect against wind and keep the sows warm. Ideally, provide the sows with a dedicated farrowing room. It should be warm and dry, with humidity maintained at 65%-75%, and be comfortable, quiet, sunny, and well ventilated, with the temperature maintained at 22℃-23℃. For sows in good body condition with well-developed udders, reduce feed 3-5 days before farrowing, gradually lowering it to 1/2 or 1/3 of the gestation feeding level, and stop feeding fresh, succulent forage. For sows in poor body condition or with underdeveloped udders, do not reduce feed before farrowing; instead, provide additional feed rich in protein and vitamins. Move the sows into the farrowing room 3-5 days before farrowing, and prepare the farrowing equipment and plenty of bedding.
Strengthen management measures
The main focus of managing pregnant sows is preventing pregnancy loss. Pay attention to the following points in day-to-day management:
① Pregnant sows should preferably be housed individually. The pen floor should be level, dry, and clean, and kept warm in winter and cool in summer. The manure pit should be shallow, and its slope should not be too steep.
② During the first month of pregnancy, ensure the sow eats and sleeps well and gets little exercise so that she can regain her strength and body condition. In mid-pregnancy, however, she should get somewhat more exercise. In late pregnancy, reduce the amount of exercise and allow the sow to move freely; stop exercise 1 week before farrowing.
③ Stop exercise on rainy or snowy days or in excessively cold weather to prevent the sow from slipping or from suffering severe uterine contractions due to the cold, which could cause a miscarriage.
④ Prevent overcrowding and avoid driving the sows quickly or making them turn sharply. Train sows to be docile so they can care for their piglets well during the lactation period.
⑤ Regularly check for signs of miscarriage and identify any sows that have returned to estrus; move them out promptly to prevent them from mounting other sows and causing unnecessary traumatic miscarriages. If signs of an impending miscarriage appear, inject progesterone promptly.
⑥Ensure thorough disinfection. Pregnant sows should routinely be disinfected in their pens 3 times per week, with disinfection performed every other day. When disinfecting sows in their pens, take care not to use a solution that is too concentrated; always prepare the disinfectant according to the specified standards. Ensure disinfection is thorough, leaving no areas untreated.
Control Body Condition
Good body condition is an important prerequisite for maintaining high reproductive performance in sows. The reproductive effects of sows that are too thin can be seen in a longer interval from weaning to estrus and fewer piglets per litter. Sows that are too fat can also have impaired reproductive performance. Therefore, feed intake must be controlled; excessive fatness in sows can cause fertilized eggs to die.
Provide Adequate Nutrition
The nutrients consumed by a pregnant sow serve four purposes: maintaining the sow’s body; supporting the growth and development of the sow (especially young sows); building nutrient reserves for lactation; and supporting fetal growth and development. In addition to being hygienic and of good quality, the ration for pregnant sows should contain a certain amount of green and coarse fodder, so that the sow feels full after eating without putting pressure on the fetuses. Green and coarse fodder is rich in amino acids, vitamins, and trace elements, which benefit normal fetal growth and development. Provide ample drinking water as well. Never feed moldy, frozen, toxic, or strongly irritating feed, as this can easily cause miscarriage. Do not change feed types arbitrarily; offer green and coarse fodder in small amounts frequently, and ensure the sow always has access to clean drinking water.
Make Preparations for Farrowing
In autumn, take measures to protect against wind and keep the sows warm. Ideally, provide the sows with a dedicated farrowing room. It should be warm and dry, with humidity maintained at 65%-75%, and be comfortable, quiet, sunny, and well ventilated, with the temperature maintained at 22℃-23℃. For sows in good body condition with well-developed udders, reduce feed 3-5 days before farrowing, gradually lowering it to 1/2 or 1/3 of the gestation feeding level, and stop feeding fresh, succulent forage. For sows in poor body condition or with underdeveloped udders, do not reduce feed before farrowing; instead, provide additional feed rich in protein and vitamins. Move the sows into the farrowing room 3-5 days before farrowing, and prepare the farrowing equipment and plenty of bedding.
Strengthen management measures
The main focus of managing pregnant sows is preventing pregnancy loss. Pay attention to the following points in day-to-day management:
① Pregnant sows should preferably be housed individually. The pen floor should be level, dry, and clean, and kept warm in winter and cool in summer. The manure pit should be shallow, and its slope should not be too steep.
② During the first month of pregnancy, ensure the sow eats and sleeps well and gets little exercise so that she can regain her strength and body condition. In mid-pregnancy, however, she should get somewhat more exercise. In late pregnancy, reduce the amount of exercise and allow the sow to move freely; stop exercise 1 week before farrowing.
③ Stop exercise on rainy or snowy days or in excessively cold weather to prevent the sow from slipping or from suffering severe uterine contractions due to the cold, which could cause a miscarriage.
④ Prevent overcrowding and avoid driving the sows quickly or making them turn sharply. Train sows to be docile so they can care for their piglets well during the lactation period.
⑤ Regularly check for signs of miscarriage and identify any sows that have returned to estrus; move them out promptly to prevent them from mounting other sows and causing unnecessary traumatic miscarriages. If signs of an impending miscarriage appear, inject progesterone promptly.
⑥Ensure thorough disinfection. Pregnant sows should routinely be disinfected in their pens 3 times per week, with disinfection performed every other day. When disinfecting sows in their pens, take care not to use a solution that is too concentrated; always prepare the disinfectant according to the specified standards. Ensure disinfection is thorough, leaving no areas untreated.