07-01-2022, 07:51 PM
Now that we have covered the basics of what to do in selection, we move to prebreeding rules.
In Nigeria, we have all manner of animals due to the crazy crossings our animals have undergone over the years.??? so, since many types of animals have passed thru us, and after tinkering for years, we have come hp with a standard rule to help breeding..... this is *The PFA Rule*?
1. All gilts come on heat at 6 months for the first time. Avoid crossing at first heat and wait till 3rd heat, by which time she will be approximately 8 months, for sanity sake (make I no confuse us small)
This means that even if you bought weaners or growers, and u don't know know age, as most farmers can sabi lie about animal ages, check heat...... the first time ur gilt comes on heat, it is 6 months old, simple!
2. Cross animals at 55kg. Don't cross animals under that weight, even if they are 10months..... this means that no matter what you do as a farmer, by 8 months old, ur animals should have attained a weight of 55kg. This should not be a problem if you know what you are doing feedwise. Infact, if you are raising ur breeders as a generation of your animals, u should hit around 70kg plus by this age
Why cross animals at that weight?? The bigger the animal, the more piglets it can carry and the bigger the piglets it will carry..... imagine an animal of 40kg carrying 10 piglets. With a standard expected birth weight of 1kg for our breed of animals, can u expect the gilt to carry 10kg pregnancy?? Doesn't make sense right?? That's like ¼ of her body weight, which is impossible
For better quality piglets and for our to be able to wean animals of standard weight in a short while (more of that in another class), u need a birth weight of 1kg minimum ergo mothers must have weight to carry the piglets
: 3. Boars should be the same weight as the gilts and should be of the same size with the gilts
Now, this brings us to that talk people bring about boars being bigger or smaller than sows and its an annoying topic..... all boars and sows of a group should be of same age and size...... when clearing the sows, clear out boars and get replacement boars and sows..... that's how it should be done
Carrying boars to cross all age and size ranges is not good management. If a boar is too big or small, dispose of it and get another suitable one..... please
Now, ur animals are healthy, beautiful, cute, 8 months old, in their third heat, at 55kg weight and ready to cross....
What next now??
In Nigeria, we have all manner of animals due to the crazy crossings our animals have undergone over the years.??? so, since many types of animals have passed thru us, and after tinkering for years, we have come hp with a standard rule to help breeding..... this is *The PFA Rule*?
1. All gilts come on heat at 6 months for the first time. Avoid crossing at first heat and wait till 3rd heat, by which time she will be approximately 8 months, for sanity sake (make I no confuse us small)
This means that even if you bought weaners or growers, and u don't know know age, as most farmers can sabi lie about animal ages, check heat...... the first time ur gilt comes on heat, it is 6 months old, simple!
2. Cross animals at 55kg. Don't cross animals under that weight, even if they are 10months..... this means that no matter what you do as a farmer, by 8 months old, ur animals should have attained a weight of 55kg. This should not be a problem if you know what you are doing feedwise. Infact, if you are raising ur breeders as a generation of your animals, u should hit around 70kg plus by this age
Why cross animals at that weight?? The bigger the animal, the more piglets it can carry and the bigger the piglets it will carry..... imagine an animal of 40kg carrying 10 piglets. With a standard expected birth weight of 1kg for our breed of animals, can u expect the gilt to carry 10kg pregnancy?? Doesn't make sense right?? That's like ¼ of her body weight, which is impossible
For better quality piglets and for our to be able to wean animals of standard weight in a short while (more of that in another class), u need a birth weight of 1kg minimum ergo mothers must have weight to carry the piglets
: 3. Boars should be the same weight as the gilts and should be of the same size with the gilts
Now, this brings us to that talk people bring about boars being bigger or smaller than sows and its an annoying topic..... all boars and sows of a group should be of same age and size...... when clearing the sows, clear out boars and get replacement boars and sows..... that's how it should be done
Carrying boars to cross all age and size ranges is not good management. If a boar is too big or small, dispose of it and get another suitable one..... please
Now, ur animals are healthy, beautiful, cute, 8 months old, in their third heat, at 55kg weight and ready to cross....
What next now??