07-01-2022, 08:05 PM
Inject boars and sows with dewormer prior to mating *(Levamisol is the dewormer of choice for endoparasites, not Ivermectin, but use both)*. This kills worms and helps induce heat in females. Sometimes we use sugar (50-100g for 3 days) to make heat in gilts strong but recently, we changed our policy to use *Estrumate or Estradiol.*
Estrumate/ Estradiol helps synchronise heat of ur animals, makes them more fertile and helps them produce more eggs. Once injected, all gilts/sows will come on heat within 2 days and together, so u can plan ur crossing as u wish
After deworming, place boars and sows for breeding in pens close to each other..... don't place them inside same pens please, for precision sake.
Now there is a difference between coming on heat and coming on standing heat?
When gilts come on heat, they begin to show the usual signs of heat...... restlessness, tendency to mount other females, swollen vulva..... However, gilts don't enter standing heat till five days after they first started showing heat
So, as a farmer, sometimes u get shocked that ur gilt is on heat but when placed with the boar, babe no gree for guy..... don't overthink. She isn't on standing heat. So wait till after five days, but so as not to miss it, keep moving the gilt everyday into the boar room till she stands
Sows on the other hand enter standing heat once they come on heat.... sharply, they get crossed
Rule: Move gilts/ sows into boar rooms, not the other way round..... pigs are territorial and boars should be where they feel the most comfortable
Immediately after crossing, move females out to their place and mark the date. Using the chart, mark the expected date of farrow. Wait for another 21 days to confirm if they come back on heat. If they don't, they are pregnant and after another 2 weeks, u can see them taking shape
2 weeks before farrow, ensure that all sows are placed in individual rooms so they can be comfortable. During pregnancy, if u place sows together, ensure u check them and separate trouble makers who might stress others
Days before farrow, ensure that the room is always dry and warm.
What medication do you give to pregnant pigs??
▪︎Iron every 2 weeks till farrow
▪︎Bcomplex everytime you discover sow feeding drops or if sow is stressed. Bcomplex contains B9, folate, which helps fetal development.
On the farrow day, pigs usually farrow late evenings and through the night..... I can't say I have experienced a full bright daylight birth. So it is usual for u to come the next day and see the tiny ones all out (they almost always don't have birthing complications)
Medications to give newly farrowed sows
▪︎2ml oxytocin
▪︎5ml iron
▪︎5ml multivite
▪︎5ml bcomplex on day 2
Medications to give piglets at birth (pls orally)
▪︎1ml iron
▪︎1ml LA oxytetracycline
▪︎1ml multivite
It's not advisable to inject piglets under 7 days old
Estrumate/ Estradiol helps synchronise heat of ur animals, makes them more fertile and helps them produce more eggs. Once injected, all gilts/sows will come on heat within 2 days and together, so u can plan ur crossing as u wish
After deworming, place boars and sows for breeding in pens close to each other..... don't place them inside same pens please, for precision sake.
Now there is a difference between coming on heat and coming on standing heat?
When gilts come on heat, they begin to show the usual signs of heat...... restlessness, tendency to mount other females, swollen vulva..... However, gilts don't enter standing heat till five days after they first started showing heat
So, as a farmer, sometimes u get shocked that ur gilt is on heat but when placed with the boar, babe no gree for guy..... don't overthink. She isn't on standing heat. So wait till after five days, but so as not to miss it, keep moving the gilt everyday into the boar room till she stands
Sows on the other hand enter standing heat once they come on heat.... sharply, they get crossed
Rule: Move gilts/ sows into boar rooms, not the other way round..... pigs are territorial and boars should be where they feel the most comfortable
Immediately after crossing, move females out to their place and mark the date. Using the chart, mark the expected date of farrow. Wait for another 21 days to confirm if they come back on heat. If they don't, they are pregnant and after another 2 weeks, u can see them taking shape
2 weeks before farrow, ensure that all sows are placed in individual rooms so they can be comfortable. During pregnancy, if u place sows together, ensure u check them and separate trouble makers who might stress others
Days before farrow, ensure that the room is always dry and warm.
What medication do you give to pregnant pigs??
▪︎Iron every 2 weeks till farrow
▪︎Bcomplex everytime you discover sow feeding drops or if sow is stressed. Bcomplex contains B9, folate, which helps fetal development.
On the farrow day, pigs usually farrow late evenings and through the night..... I can't say I have experienced a full bright daylight birth. So it is usual for u to come the next day and see the tiny ones all out (they almost always don't have birthing complications)
Medications to give newly farrowed sows
▪︎2ml oxytocin
▪︎5ml iron
▪︎5ml multivite
▪︎5ml bcomplex on day 2
Medications to give piglets at birth (pls orally)
▪︎1ml iron
▪︎1ml LA oxytetracycline
▪︎1ml multivite
It's not advisable to inject piglets under 7 days old