Hannah's Cards Flashcards
(50 cards)
What parity sows are the best reproductive performers?
Parity 3-6
What is the ideal parity distribution?
What should the proportion (%) of parity 3-6 sows be in the herd?
Most at parity 1, then decreasing to >7.
50% parity 3-6.
At what parity do sows become profitable?
Parity 4
What are the six golden rules for managing gilts?
- Daily boar contact from 175-196 days of age (25-28 weeks of age) to bring on first heat quicker
- SKIP FIRST HEAT
- Age at first mating = 210 – 238 days of age (30 -34 weeks) MATE ON SECOND HEAT
- Weight at first mating 150kg (130-160kg)
- Crate train them
- Mate and leave them (low stress)
Why are gilts the lowest reproductive performers?
• Less piglets + lower birthweight (still growing when mated for the first time- 30wks)
• Lower colostrum and milk production (mammary glands not fully developed)
> Higher piglet mortality, disease + lighter weaning weights
• Longer weaning to service interval
Most herds = 80% sows, 20% gilts
Target piglets born alive per litter?
> 11.5
(10 minimum, 11 desirable)
Depends on sow weaning age
Target farrowing rate? (%)
90%
86% for gilts
(85-90%)
When do you “ad lib” feed sows?
Lactation and post weaning/mating.
Never ad lib feed boars.
Target BCS for a sow?
BCS >2.5
Target pre-weaning mortality? (%)
<10%
2% culls/deaths
Target pigs weaned/mated female/year?
23-26+
Target female mortality? (%)
<10%
Target weaning to first service interval?
4 days
Target number of litters/mated female/year?
2.3-2.4
Target post-weaning mortality? (%)
<5%
How many eggs does each female produce?
After ovulation, how long until the eggs die?
Sows: 23
Gilts: 20
Die 8 hours after ov.
When should fertilisation occur after ovulation for optimal fertility?
6 hours after ov is optimum.
How long does sperm survive for? (in the female)
24 hours
How many (%) pigs ovulate while display oestrus?
70%
List signs of oestrus.
Ears
- Calling sow ("honking")
Eyes
- Restless, nervous, inappetent
- Red swollen vulva
- Ears erect in presence of boar
Touch
- + back pressure test in presence of boar
- Tacky vaginal dischargeWhen to inseminate?
(she will need a boar to show oestrus)
24 hours after displaying “male” behaviour & honking she stands to back pressure.
Boar test positive & back pressure positive.
Inseminate 12-36 hours after standing onset.
(middle 24 hours, stands for 48 hours)
Note:
Semen survives for 24 hours.
Come into heat day 3-7 after weaning.
To save energy, she will only stand to back pressure for 15 mins of every hour. For the remaining 45 mins she will act normal.
Describe natural mating process.
Mating pen: no obstructions, >2.5m wide
Observer: Non-spermicidal vinyl gloves, assist boar if required, be gentle and quiet.
Ejaculation (anal winking of boar) for >3 mins
Describe the AI process.
Clean vulva
Gloves (not latex/powdered)
Lube 2cm below catheter tip
Give sow nose-nose contact with boar (for uterine contractions)
Put catheter in cervix (point upwards to avoid urethra, 30 degrees)
Attach semen bag
Stimulate sow + push in semen
(If drawing semen in too quickly, slow down flow by lowering tube)
Leave catheter in 5-10 mins, remove
Leave for another 5-10 mins before moving
(don’t touch catheter tip or opening of semen bag)
How to stimulate a sow? (manually)
Weight on sow.
Rub back & udder.
Pull loose skin on flank.
