Page 3 of articles about gestation in Articles

The optimal fertilization of a sow depends on several factors, among them, mating in a specific moment of the oestrus.

During the last 10 years we have been trying to optimize the different Batch Management systems (BM), searching for the most effective system. We had come to the conclusion that each one of the different traditional BM options had their pros and cons, and neither is better or worse than the other. Electing the best system depends on the necessities and the calibration of space on each particular farm. However, we have recently “discovered” a new BM option that opens the door to new possibilities.

Let us assume that the expected farrowing rate and live-born litter sizes are 90% and 12.5, respectively, but that current performance is 82% and 11.3, respectively. This means that too many sows are bred but failing to farrow and those that farrow are having fewer pigs.

Do you want to evaluate your knowledge of maternity welfare? Just take this new test!

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.

Do the accommodation conditions for your gestating sows in group comply with the welfare normatives? Find out with the new test on welfare.

In previous chapters we have looked at the importance of maintaining the ideal parity profile within each batch.

This month we are setting you a new test, in this case on the welfare of sows accommodated in stalls during gestation.

One of the main goals for a sow herd is to achieve a correct homogeneity of the productive batches.

A new instalment of the test on animal welfare in swine herds. This test evaluates your knowledge on the welfare of gestating sows allotted in groups.

The Danish pig producers’ research organisation has tested a number of different designs. They recommend pen dimensions of 2.7x1.8 m to accommodate modern prolific breeds.

In the first part of management of the breeding chart we basically looked at how it can help us to control returns. In this second part we will look at other applications.

In this chapter we will look at how hormones can be used to influence the time of farrowing according to our needs.

In reproductive disease, submission of several whole affected litters is advisable to provide material for diagnosis of PRRSV and other diseases causing reproductive or neonatal problems.

The gestation unit is basically a parking unit where sows should be kept comfortable to allow the pregnancy to develop

When the sow is pregnant, the corpus luteum remains and continues to produce progesterone. While the levels of progesterone are high the sow does not become in heat and maintains gestation.