As the saying goes, “There are no tricks to raising pigs: keep the pens clean and dry, and make sure they are well fed.” In other words, there are no shortcuts to raising pigs well. Keep their pens clean and dry, and make sure they eat and sleep well. These eight words may sound simple, but few in the industry manage to put them into practice. This is especially familiar to those who raise sows. Many people think pig farming is easy: just feed the pigs as much as they eat and let them grow nice and fat. But after trying this, they find that sows develop many problems. Overly fat sows may have difficult farrowing and fail to produce milk, while underweight sows may miscarry or fail to produce milk. These problems cause farmers significant losses. Raising sows is not so simple, so today we recommend a scientific feeding plan: the seven-stage sow feeding method. This method can greatly improve sows’ reproductive performance and extend their service life.
Seven stages, applying the principle of precise nutrition at each stage, as shown in the figure below:
Stage one (weaning and non-pregnant period):
At this stage, feed can be provided ad libitum, or ensure daily feed intake is above 3.0kg. This can help repair the uterine mucosa and promote ovulation.
Stage two (pregnancy–pregnancy 30 days):
This is a critical period for embryo implantation. After mating, avoid high temperatures and high-energy feeding. Feed 1.6-1.8kg of feed per day. Do not vaccinate within ten days of pregnancy or use medication indiscriminately; this helps ensure safe embryo implantation.
Stage three (pregnancy 30-75 days):
At this stage, the main focus is adjusting the sow’s body condition to reduce a range of issues, including difficult farrowing, weak piglets, and little or no milk after farrowing. 1.9-2.6kg per day.
Stage four (gestation days 75-95):
This stage is critical for mammary development. Fetal growth should not be promoted too early, especially when using lactation feed for this purpose; otherwise, the incidence of postpartum mastitis may increase. 1.9-2.5 kg per day.
Stage five (gestation 95-110 days):
During the gestation period, 70% of a piglet’s weight develops in the final month. Feed 2.5-3.5kg of feed per day.
Stage six (from 5 days before birth to 5 days after birth):
Reduce feed by 0.5 kg per day. Feed 1 kg on the day of farrowing; if the sow is not in good condition, she may not be fed. After farrowing, increase feed by 0.5 kg-1 kg per day. Maximize feed intake within 5-7 days.
Stage seven (postpartum 5 days to weaning):
Feed her as much as she can eat. This helps the sow recover her strength as quickly as possible, increase milk production, and ensure that she comes into heat and can be bred normally within 7 days after weaning.
Seven stages, applying the principle of precise nutrition at each stage, as shown in the figure below:
Stage one (weaning and non-pregnant period):
At this stage, feed can be provided ad libitum, or ensure daily feed intake is above 3.0kg. This can help repair the uterine mucosa and promote ovulation.
Stage two (pregnancy–pregnancy 30 days):
This is a critical period for embryo implantation. After mating, avoid high temperatures and high-energy feeding. Feed 1.6-1.8kg of feed per day. Do not vaccinate within ten days of pregnancy or use medication indiscriminately; this helps ensure safe embryo implantation.
Stage three (pregnancy 30-75 days):
At this stage, the main focus is adjusting the sow’s body condition to reduce a range of issues, including difficult farrowing, weak piglets, and little or no milk after farrowing. 1.9-2.6kg per day.
Stage four (gestation days 75-95):
This stage is critical for mammary development. Fetal growth should not be promoted too early, especially when using lactation feed for this purpose; otherwise, the incidence of postpartum mastitis may increase. 1.9-2.5 kg per day.
Stage five (gestation 95-110 days):
During the gestation period, 70% of a piglet’s weight develops in the final month. Feed 2.5-3.5kg of feed per day.
Stage six (from 5 days before birth to 5 days after birth):
Reduce feed by 0.5 kg per day. Feed 1 kg on the day of farrowing; if the sow is not in good condition, she may not be fed. After farrowing, increase feed by 0.5 kg-1 kg per day. Maximize feed intake within 5-7 days.
Stage seven (postpartum 5 days to weaning):
Feed her as much as she can eat. This helps the sow recover her strength as quickly as possible, increase milk production, and ensure that she comes into heat and can be bred normally within 7 days after weaning.