Cross fostering and nurse sows (II): How to do the movements?
We focus on moving surplus piglets, which forces us to use nurse sows. We explain two ways to do this in a very visual video.
articles about lactation in Articles
What is the best age for weaning piglets?
Enric Marco examines the reasons why the average age at weaning has not yet reached 28 days in Spain.
Video about split suckling: The importance of the first few hours
To ensure that each piglet intakes enough colostrum and to help the smallest piglets get it, split suckling should be used.
Hypor dam lines: Key management aspects
In this article, we focus on the key aspects of management to optimize performance from this genetic line of sows. We talked with Carlos Martins.
Weaning without zinc oxide (1/3): Good weaning starts in the farrowing room
We spoke with Alberto Garcia (Inga Food SA, Spain) and Chretien Gielen (De Varkenspraktijk, The Netherlands), to discuss aspects related to weaning management and conditions.
The new challenge of crate-free housing in farrowing
Europe is preparing to eliminate farrowing crates in the next few years... Are farmers ready? Will this benefit the sows? What about the piglets?
Milk supplementation in the farrowing room: an alternative strategy with hyperprolific sows?
A much higher percentage of piglets prefer milk supplement over creep feed. Here are the results of the latest studies on this subject.
Reducing the stress of weaning: is pre-weaning socialisation of piglets a strategy to consider?
Does co-mingling during lactation benefit piglets in the long term? See how socialisation influences pigs behaviour and physiology.
Anestrus in gilts
Lack of estrus in gilts is a common cause for culling, which increases the need for gilts and the cost of gilts. Let's take a look a what causes anestrus:
Practical fostering: a key step in maximizing the quantity and quality of pigs weaned
Put more piglets on than teats? When to start fostering? Am I cross fostering piglets too many times?
Improving sow feeding behaviour using feed flavour
How can we boost sow feed intake during lactation under heat stress conditions?
Feeding behaviour and daily feed intake of sows during lactation under heat stress conditions
Sow feed intake pattern changes throughout the day depending on the season.
The importance of water consumption for sows in lactation
During lactation ensuring the sow consumes enough water is essential, as well as maintaining the water:feed ratio needed to lessen weight loss in the sow and allow a greater daily gain in the piglets.
Feeding lactating sows: a farmer's experience achieving 39 weaned pigs per sow
How, when and why should feed be increased? what needs to be considered when drawing feed curves? first hand farmer experience from Can Ballau, answers these and other questions
Gilt backfat thickness in late pregnancy, mammary development and piglet growth
Do gilts with greater backfat thickness produce more milk?
Feeding Systems for Lactating Sows (II)
Do you know which feeding system best fits your needs? This article describes and compares the systems that have been implemented in the last years: feeding ball, dry and wet feeding systems.