Farrowing – over breeding what do I do with the “extra” sows

The farm should aim to have 110% of batch farrowing places filled with pregnant sows at week 6 of gestation. But how do I then cope if all these “extra” sows continue successfully through gestation? There has to be somewhere for these “extra” sows to farrow!

Options:

Easy: There are “spare” farrowing places available – outside the normal batch farrowing places.

The piglets must be given 12-24 hours to obtain sufficient colostrum from their own mothers.

Ideally the sows which move into the “spare” farrowing places should be the sows most likely to be culled – assuming that the next batch breeding target is guaranteed.

But note it is extremely expensive to provide “additional” farrowing places which may not be utilized. These places are often poorly managed and run as a continuous flow system which reduces the viability of the weaners and nursery.

There are no “spare” farrowing places available

• In the weeks prior to the batch farrowing, examine and identify the sows who are good candidates for culling.
• Retain in the gestation barn the last sow mated (Sow B) – presumably the last one to farrow. This is not a sow destined to be culled. Note the normal gestation length is 112-120 days - average 115 days.
• Allow the piglets from the 4^th sow (Sow A) to farrow to suckle their mother. If required add any additional weak piglets to ensure the piglets get colostrum. The piglets must be allowed to suckle for at least 12 hours.
• Sow A should be a 3^rd parity or more. Sow A should not be a young sow. Ideally she is a cull sow.
• Remove the pigs after receiving colostrum from this sow (Sow A) and foster them onto the first 3 sows to farrow.
• Remove the sow A from the farrowing house and place her in the breeding pool or cull. An older sow can be bred as normal when she cycles or culled if the breeding target is guaranteed.
• In the now vacant farrowing place, gently move the sow which was retained in the gestation or dry sow barn, (Sow B), into the now vacant farrowing place.
• Allow the batch to continue farrowing and fostering as required.
• Wean 12 piglets per batch farrowing place.