- Regulate free feed intake of gilts or sows immediately after breeding to prevent them from becoming too fat. Obesity of pregnant sows may result to a fewer number of pigs farrowed. Also, they may suffer from farrowing complications.
- Keep the pregnant sow in an environment ideal for better conception. Sprinkle water on the sows when the weather is too hot or whenever necessary.
- To avoid constipation, provide a healthy but a laxative ration. Provide plenty of water and newly harvested green feeds such as camote vines, kangkong, paragrass and water lily.
- Deworm sows and gilts against internal parasites and treat external parasites 14 days before expected date of farrowing.
- In commercial operations, the sow should be transferred to the farrowing house one week before farrowing to provide her time to adjust to new environment.
- On the average, a sow will farrow in 114 days after a successful mating.The usual range is 109-119 days. Watch out for the following signs: the abdomen swells; the sow becomes restless and nervous; the vulva is swollen with possible mucus discharge;and milk is present in the teats if pressed
- Attend to the sow during birth because this is the most crucial time in the life of the newborn piglets.
- Full-feed the sow or gilt with a high-energy ration for about two weeks before mating to ensure maximum ovulation rate.
- Observe proper time of mating to ensure maximum litter size. A sow is in heat if she exhibits one or more of the following symptoms: swelling and reddening of the vulva; mucous discharge from the vulva; restlessness and grunts frequently; mounting other pigs; frequent urination and cocks her ears frequently.
- Mate each gilt or sow twice to the same boar in one heat period with an interval of 12 to 25 hours.
- A boar-to-sow ration of 1:25 - 30 is generally recommended.
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