Farrowing assistance (II): Dystocia
In swine, dystocia is usually caused by oversized piglets (or by a narrow birth canal) instead of foetal positioning problems.
Page 9 of articles about farrowing room
Farrowing assistance (I): Piglet extraction
A correct supervision is one of the key points of a farrowing.
Energy-saving heat pump keeps piglets comfortable
A Lancashire farming partnership has come up with a novel way of reducing energy costs on their pig unit.
Positioning crates: Alternative options: Aisles both in front and behind the crates, crates on both sides of the aisle (II)
In the last chapter we examined the advantages of positioning crates facing inwards and outwards. Now we are going to explore two other options: Aisles both in front and behind the crates and crates on both sides of the aisle.
Effect of dose of equine chorionic gonadotrophin on the estrus responses of gilts and weaned sows and effect of the interval between equine chorionic gonadotrophin and luteinizing hormone injections on sow performance
Objectives: To determine estrus and ovulation responses of gilts and sows to different doses of equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG), with different intervals between eCG and luteinizing hormone (pLH) injections.
Positioning crates: Which is better: facing inwards or outwards? (I)
When designing farrowing rooms, sows can be placed in different ways: facing inwards, facing outwards, with aisles both in front and behind the crate, or on both sides of the aisle.
Farrowing programming III
Next we will consider some aspects that can be taken into account in order to adjust the day to induce farrowing.
Farrowing programming II
The gestation period in the majority of sows is usually around 113 to 115 days. However, a percentage of sows can farrow normally up to 3 days before or after.
Longitudinal field study to assess sow level risk factors associated with stillborn piglets
The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for stillborn piglets at sow level in commercial pig herds in northern Belgium. In total, 545 sows of 22 pig herds were included in the study. Stillborn piglets were observed in 48.3% of the litters and the mean stillbirth rate of the sows was 7.5%.
Proportion of the litter farrowed, litter size, and progesterone and estradiol effects on piglet birth intervals and stillbirths
Stillbirth in swine ranges from 2 to 9%, resulting in a significant loss of piglets. Previous studies clearly indicate a relationship between prolonged birth intervals and stillbirth, but factors influencing birth intervals are not fully known. To characterize birth intervals and stillbirth, farrowing was recorded during three farrowing seasons.
Environmental and sow-related factors affecting the duration of farrowing
Allowing the sow to move freely before farrowing, reducing the constipation state and avoid excessive fattening during late pregnancy all appear to be key factors in shortening farrowing time and reducing perinatal mortality.
Benefits of synchronizing ovulation with porcine luteinizing hormone in a fixed-time insemination protocol in weaned multiparous sows
Double insemination of multiparous sows, timed to coincide with optimal sow fertility, may improve litter size.
Farrowing batches: keeping the breeding groups full
In the last chapter we looked at the importance of achieving homogenous farrowing batches (age distribution + nº sows). In this chapter we will begin to see how to achieve this.
TOPIGS: Flushing results in heavier piglets
An increased feeding of sows during the insemination phase results in a higher piglet birthweight.
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ArticleControlling time of sows farrowing
Injecting prostaglandin F2α (PGF) or its analogues is effective for induction of farrowing, although a large range in the interval between treatment and farrowing is usual. Experience has shown that only 50% to 60% of PGF-treated sows farrow during the working day after injection and only these sows are candidates for farrowing supervision.