Second Parity Litter Size Drop

A key component to successful pig farming is to maximise the production of the gilt and second litter. These two parities predict the performance of the rest of the sow’s life.

A guide to production expectations:

	Gilt	2^nd Parity	3-6 Parity	7+ parities
Total born	10.8	11.5	12.0	12.2
Born alive	10.2	10.8	11.3	10.5
Stillborn	0.4	0.5	0.6	1.5
Mummified	0.2	0.1	0.1	0.2
Weaned	9.4	10	10.2	9.6
Farrowing rate %	80	85	87	82
Pairty distribution	20	18	60	2

Note it is essential to minimise the loss of gilts becoming 2^nd parity sows

Cause
	Excessive loss of weight and body condition during the first lactation.
How To Prevent It
1	To ensure a long reproductive life gilts should be in good condition prior to first conception (130 kg, 210 days at 18 mm P2).
2	Introduce a mature boar at 190 days of age. Select gilts who cycle within 14 days of first introduction to a boar. Cull the other gilts.
3	Do not over-feed gilts in their first pregnancy as this causes a reduced appetite in lactation.
4	Provide a high energy dry/gestation sow diet, 14% CP and 0.6% lysine during pregnancy.
5	Gilts should farrow at a body score of 3.5 and appear ‘plain’ and not fat.
6	Feed a high density lactator diet 14.3 DE 1.3% lysine during lactation. Possible to enhance intake with 150g fishmeal top dressed each day.
7	Start feeding approximately 2.5 kilograms per sow on the day of farrowing and build up by increasing to 0.5 kilogram per sow per day until Day 10. Feed ad-lib from Day 10 onwards. When ad-lib feeding is not possible, feed three times per day.
8	Ensure gilts eat up to 9 kg a day by day 18 of lactation. Provide sufficient piglets on the gilt to suckle as many teats as possible.
9	Feed wet as this boosts the appetite.
10	Do not lactate for less than 18 days. Use gilts as nurse sows to extend their lactation length, assuming gilt eating well.
11	Do not allow the gilt to rear more than ten piglets.