Page 9 of articles about sow

Sow feed intake pattern changes throughout the day depending on the season.

Why is my farrowing rate less than ideal? Use this tool to discover the potential causes. Navigate using the flowchart or use the buttons within the text to access the different parts of the tool.

If I see a farrowing rate less than 85%, the next question I should ask is, "Are there sows returning to estrus?"

What are the causes of these returns?

There are several factors that can cause an abnormally long estrous cycle.

Factors related to the semen dose, the boar, or the sow can cause regular returns to estrus.

Why do my sows come into heat soon after service?

This article lists the main infectious causes that can lead to irregular returns to estrus.

Heat stress is estimated to have a cost in the US pig industry alone of around $300 million.

Confinement is strongly criticised by public opinion and the industry is moving towards innovative housing of lactating sows.

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.

If the farrowing rate is less than ideal, with a normal percent of returns to estrus and abortions, we must consider the open sows.

If my farrowing rate is low, but the returns to estrus, abortions, and culled pregnant sows are all normal, I probably have dead sows...

Deviations from the sow's normal consumption pattern during the lactation phase have important production implications.

In the first part of this article series we addressed how to correctly stimulate oestrus. In this article we continue talking with swine reproduction specialist, Javier Gil Pascual, focusing on heat detection.