Weaning to Breeding Intervals
Effect on production targets:
- Farrowing rate (assuming a lactation of greater than 18 days)
Between 3 and 5 days post-weaning there is little reduction in
farrowing rate, however, the reduction is dramatic between days 7
and 12
- Subsequent litter size (assuming a lactation of greater than
18 days)
The litter size results are from an American example, however, the
same pattern can be seen on UK farms associated with larger litter
size. The litter size follows a similar pattern to the farrowing
rate
Factors that can result in a reduction in weaning to service
intervals
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Lactation feeding |
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- Aim to reduce weight loss during lactation
- Aim to have a sow eating 10 kg by day 18 of
a 18% Protein, 1% lysine, 14.5 MJ diet. Average consumption is
required to be over 6.5 kg per day. Additional chromium may
help. Biotin to be at 2.25 mm/kg
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Weaning to breeding feeding |
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- Continue with lactation feed
- Feed 4 kg a day to point of service -
200-300 mcg/kg
- Feed once a day
- Ensure water supply more than adequate,
particularly after breeding to help prevent cystitis problems
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Day of service to 3 days post-service |
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- Feed dry sow ration at 1.5 to 2 kg a day.
- Sow may not eat much anyway while in estrus
- Gilts must not be overfed in the immediate
period post-breeding as this can affect litter size.
Sows are less vulnerable.
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3 days post service to farrow |
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- Follow dry sow feeding routines
- First 3- 21 days of gestation increasing
feed may help placental growth in sows
- Overfeeding in gestation will affect
subsequent lactation feed intake
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Boar exposure |
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- Limited exposure only for the first 2 days
post-weaning
- Then 20 minutes a day from day 3 to
service. Actual boar contact.
- Ideally heat check/stimulate twice or even
three times daily
- Remove boar from the sow breeding area, by
10 meters - sight, sound, smell - for one hour before breeding
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Breeding barn environment |
| Water: |
Adult sows drink 8 to 12 liters
per day. If water is supplied through a nipple drinker aim to
provide 1.5 to 2 liters per minute. If water is supplied via a
front water trough, ensure the water is fresh and clean and
refill the trough at least 3 times a day, perhaps providing 5
replenishments in the summer months. |
| Light and Air: |
16 hours of daylight and 8 hours
of dark is ideal. The light intensity required is 500 lux, about
the light intensity in your kitchen. Many breeding areas are
poorly lit. The breeding area must be draught-free and the sows
kept at between 16 and 22 degrees C. If the temperature exceeds
22 degrees C cooling is required. |
| Floor: |
The floor in the breeding area
must provide good footing and ensure neither the boar nor the
sow slips on the floor. The flooring in the sow housing must be
non abrasive. In many farms metal and tops of bolts can come
into contact with the sow and can cause abrasions. Any slatted
flooring should be pencil-edged. The sows should be provided
with 30 sq ft. Avoid mixing gilts and 1st parity sows with older
sows in loose housed accommodation. |
| Feed: |
All feed should be fresh and must
not contain mycotoxins. Note this means feed barrows should be
protected from the rain and feed bins regularly cleaned. Home
mixers should regularly check that their ingredients supply the
correct mix of ingredients. Feed access particularly between the
weaning and time of breeding must be optimized. This may be
particularly important for gilts and 1st parity sows. Gilts may
benefit for a high energy, low protein ration to help put on
backfat without a large frame. |
| Stock: |
Ensure that the sow/gilt and
boars are of the correct size. |
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Any signs of lameness |
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- Serve by artificial insemination only.
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Seasonal effects on farrowing rate
While the domestication of the pig has reduced seasonal effects
more dramatically than in sheep (for example), it is difficult to
completely negate nature's demands. From the pigs point of view it
is unwise to become pregnant in the autumn as the litter would be
born in the middle of winter and would likely die. The effects of
seasonality are less noticeable in sows reared inside, but for
outdoor production systems, the autumn abortion / summer infertility
syndrome is a serious problem.
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| It is imperative that
additional gilts are served to cover these periods of reduced
productivity. |
Do not cull sows until end of breeding week, or ideally at point
of pregnancy checking. It is essential to breed sufficient to fill
the farrowing area and maximize your pig flow. |
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PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT
Biosecurity
Isolation
Farrowing
Breeding
AI
Gestation
Nursery
Finishing
Hospital
Transport
Slaughter
Records
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