Dr.iCow’s Diary
Date: 06.02.2020
Dear Dr.iCow ,
There are some pigs with 10 teats, 12 and others with 14 teats. Which are the right ones?
From: Mr.John, County: Siaya, Kenya
Discussion:
John is interested in commercial pig farming. It is good business as pigs can be raised in small and large scale holdings, they are mono-gastric animals and they grow quickly in relation to their body weight. Gilts selection is very important and replacement stock should be separated once selected and proliferacy records for pig dams should be obtained.
Dear John,
For successful pig farming, gilt and sow management are greatly considered. Gilts and sows management is very important and replacement gilts should be separated from the herd on selection.
Gilt selection criteria is based on the following qualities: good health, proliferacy records from mothers, should have 12 teats which are upright with no problems, good mothering ability with an average of 12 litters born alive at 3 weeks – 10 piglets survival with about 5 kg, and at 8 weeks with 9 weaned piglets from the mother’s records, high carcass quality – given by litter mates that went to slaughter, good score on visual assessment,able to overcome stress and perform well and should have good temperament. The gilt should have a heat cycle is 21 days with a 3 days heat duration. The gilt or the sow should be serviced twice during the heat duration.
Replacement gilts should be separated from the herd on selection. Any gilt with abnormality at 77 kg should be discarded or culled. Before a gilt is served she should be made to wait for the third heat or estrus before serving.
NB:Please source your gilts and sows from a reliable pig farm and request proliferacy records of their mothers.
In management of gilts the following are important; oestrus period is a 21days cycle, with 3 days duration or heat period. The gilt should be serviced twice during the heat period. Those that repeat two times or more should be sold for slaughter.
The repeat may be caused by; – cystic follicles, – bacterial infection, – infertility of the boar,-abnormality in the female reproductive system, -improper mating and timing.
Thank You
From Your Friend and Advisor
Dr.iCow