Maximising Gilt
Total Born
The impact on the
gilt in the breeding area
The impact of
the gilt on the nursery and finishing area
The
following ideas may be utilized to maximize gilt total born.
The
total born in the gilt is a vital ingredient of a successful farm. The gilt litter and feeding of the gilt throughout
her first lactation are key components to preventing a second litter size loss
and maximized 3-6 parity performance.
Target total born
|
Parity |
1 |
2 |
3+ |
|
Target
Total born |
11.5 |
12.5 |
13 |
|
1 |
Selected
from productive mothers – weaned at least 10 |
|
2 |
Excellent
conformation – especially legs |
|
3 |
Excellent
growth rate up to 60 kg |
|
4 |
A
gilt rearing diet – high Ca and PO4 |
|
5 |
Gilts
which cycle within 10 days post-arrival/first contact with boar at 90 kg |
|
6 |
A healthy gilt – no mycoplasma,
ileitis, erysipelas, PRRSv or SIV post-arrival. Note vaccine programme in place. |
|
7 |
Good
cycling and boar exposure protocols |
|
8 |
Group
houses from introduction to mating |
|
9 |
Ad
lib feeding 2nd cycle until mating - flushing |
|
10 |
Good
light in mating area – 500 lux 16 hours on 8 off |
|
11 |
Breed
on the 3-5th cycle post-boar exposure |
|
12 |
130
kg live weight |
|
13 |
220
– 290 days of age |
|
14 |
18+
mm back fat |
|
|
–
these last three can only be achieved if gilt selected at 60kg |
|
15 |
Semen
from a boar older than 9 months of age – including by AI |
|
16 |
Pooled
semen |
|
17 |
Semen
from a boar with 3 teats in front of the prepuce |
|
18 |
Good
housing, feeding and management first gestation |
|
19 |
No
mycotoxins in gestation diet |
|
20 |
No
Parvovirus infection post-mating |
|
21 |
Careful
and considerate farrowing area |
|
22 |
Cool
farrowing area post-one week |
|
23 |
Minimum
of 9 piglets to suckle to weaning |
|
24 |
Extended
lactation length – to maximize 2nd litter |
|
25 |
Aid
to maximize feed intake – 9+ kg by day 18 of lactation |