After 4 to 6 years of use, sows typically experience a decline in reproductive performance, making it necessary to replace them with new breeding females. When selecting and raising replacement gilts, six key factors should be carefully considered to ensure they meet the standards for long-term productivity and health.
First, the physical appearance of the sow is crucial. A good gilt should have a large, well-proportioned body with a straight back, broad and developed hindquarters, and strong, long limbs. The overall structure should be balanced, with a thick coat, not too fat or too thin. She should have at least six pairs of functional teats, evenly spaced and arranged neatly, without any missing or deformed ones. The teats must be symmetrical and well-developed, ensuring effective milk production and easy nursing by piglets.
Teat quality is also an important consideration. Ideal teats are described as “bubble through milk,†meaning they are long, rounded, and thick, allowing for efficient milk flow. In contrast, “nail milk†teats are short, pointed, and less functional. This distinction becomes more noticeable during mid- to late lactation, as piglets tend to prefer the better-developed teats. Therefore, selecting gilts with well-formed teats is essential for successful lactation.
When choosing replacement gilts, it's important to evaluate the performance of their lineage. Look for gilts that exhibit breed-specific traits, such as strong constitution, high litter size, good milk production, and excellent piglet survival rates. They should also have a good appetite and overall vitality. Physically, the head should be well-proportioned, with a flat lower jaw and a meat percentage of about 18–24% of body length. A small head or narrow forehead may disqualify a gilt from being selected.
Additionally, during the lactation period, it's beneficial to purposefully raise 2–3 piglets on the front side of the sow, where the best teats are located. Proper care, including disease prevention and treatment, is essential for the health of both the sow and her piglets.
New gilts should be kept in pens that allow for adequate exercise, promoting healthy metabolism and muscle development. The housing environment should remain clean, dry, and regularly sanitized. Insect control and vaccinations should be administered as needed to prevent illness.
After weaning, the diet of gilts should gradually transition to include high-quality green roughage, such as legumes, which contain natural estrogens that can enhance fertility. Green forage helps develop the digestive system and prepares the gilt for future high-performance demands. To ensure balanced nutrition, it’s also important to mix in bran-based feeds and supplement with protein sources like soybean meal or fishmeal.
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