Service management + the dry sows Flashcards
1
Q
What is the main problem with fertility?
A
- MANAGEMENT - not disease
2
Q
While a sow is in milk what is happening?
A
- Prolactin secretion from pituitary stimulating milk production due to sucking stimulus
- Also causes lack of gonadotrophins effecting the ovaries = no fertility
3
Q
What interactions are on the sow for fertility?
A
- Light
- Temp
- Humans
- Boars - pheromones = 50% of stimulation
- Feed
- Housing
- Social
- Hygiene
4
Q
What is an ideal wean to service interval?
A
5 days - treat sows as in hotel
* Ad-lib feed
5
Q
Why is bedding hygiene important during oestrus?
A
- Cervix is open = can get metritis much easier
6
Q
Why are sodium / mercury lights bad for pigs?
A
- Orange light - pigs have no red cones = do not get stimulated by the orange light
7
Q
Why can you feed more for the first 4 weeks?
A
- Implantation is occurring = more fragile
8
Q
What are different boar stimulation?
A
- Teat stimulation - rub along mammary gland - boar nosing
- Back + shoulder pressure - boar mounting
- Side + flank pressure - boar leg position
- Groin manipulation - boar nosing
- Vulval stimulation - boar nosing + service
- Catheter manipulation - boar service
- Vocalisation - boar vocalisation
9
Q
What temp does boar semen need to be?
A
- 17 oC
10
Q
What are signs of heat?
A
- Vulva – reddening, swelling, mucous
- Vocalisation
- Interest in boar
- Flank nosing
- Smelling of boar
- Standing next to boar
- Standing to back pressure
- Allowing sows or boar to mount
11
Q
What should a good AI area include?
A
- Close to sows
- Not near boars
- Nose to nose contact
- Individual insemination pen
- Undisturbed area post insemination
- Flow of pigs
- Good gates/dividers
- Storage facilities
- Light
- Rubbish
- Protection
12
Q
What influences on piglets born alive?
A
- Point of ovulation
- Point of fertilisation
- Ability to implant
- Ability to maintain through pregnancy
- Survival through farrowing
13
Q
What influences farrowing index?
A
- Conception rate
- Final farrowing rate
- Weaning to service gap
- Weaning to actual conception gap
- Other causes of empty days
14
Q
What is the total sow cycle?
A
- 21 weeks
- 16week farrowing
- 4 week until weaning
- 1 week wean to service
15
Q
What are general targets of pigs?
A
- Total born / litter > 15.0
- Born alive / litter > 14.5
- Born dead / litter < 0.7
- Born mummified / litter < 0.3
- Conception rate > 95%
- Farrowing rate > 90%
- Farrowing index > 2.3
