Swine breeding management Flashcards
Main goals of swine reproduction
- Maximize the number of weaned pigs per sow per year
(pigs/sow/yr) - Be sure that the sows in the gestation barn are pregnant
> Minimize non-productive sow days (NPD) - Consistent flow of pigs
> Economics of predictable flow
pig gesttion length
- Gestation days fixed biologically (114-116d)
pig lactation length
- Lactation days is “fixed” based on herd management (21-28d)
metrics that inpact how many gestation-lactation cycles we have in a year. why do we want to max this?
- Want to ‘fit’ as many gestation-lactation cycles per
year, to maximize number of litters/sow/yr - Gestation days fixed biologically (114-116d)
- Lactation days is “fixed” based on herd management (21-28d)
Weaning prior to 14 days (or 16 days) will:
- reduce ovulation
- cause longer wean-breed interval
- cause cystic ovaries
- lower farrowing rate
- reduce the number of pigs born alive
what is a productive sow vs non-productive
- Productive sow: pregnant or lactating
- Non-productive sow: open and not lactating
Non-productive sow days = what? what influences this?
Non-productive sow days =
The number of days a sow is neither lactating nor pregnant/year
Influenced by:
* Weaning to conception /breeding interval
* Unrecognized pregnancy loss or NIP
what is the wean-to-estrus interval and why is it important?
As wean-to-estrous interval (WEI) increases, NPD increases
* Textbook WEI is 4-5 days
* Fertility is lower for sows bred at >5 days
how long from wean to estrus is normal, and how long would require investigating?
normal <7
investigate >7
what proportion of sows should be bred by 6d after weaning? what proportion requires investigating?
normal >90
investigate <85
- Risk factors for long WEI/anestrus
- Young sows
- Inadequate lactation nutrition (poor body condition)
issue for pen introduction of piglets
mixing aggression
how long after weaning does a sow come into heat
In heat 3–5 days later
Observable signs of estrus; primary sign
Primary signs:
* Standing while another sow or boar mounts
* Back pressure test
Observable signs of estrus; secondary signs
- Bar biting, climbing
- Vocalization
- Restlessness
- Seeking boar, solicitation
- Swollen, deep red vulva
- Malelikebehaviour
- Off feed
- Ears pricked
- Elevated rectal temperature
- Quiver
- Tail twitch, held up
- Evidence of viscous, sticky vaginal mucous
- In general, the stickier the mucous, the stronger the heat (use the “thumb test”)
“Hand Breeding” what is this
natural breeding, Stay in pen with sow and boar
Semen Collection steps
- Boar mounts the dummy. Exteriorize the penis
- Gloved-hand technique
- Collect sperm rich fraction into a warm thermos