Three colours during the gestation. The more visual the easier
The goal is to make the management during the gestation easier using a different colour spray colour each week to mark the tasks carried out with the sows.
Page 27 of articles about sow
Sorting by parity to reduce aggression toward first-parity sows in group-gestation housing systems
Sorting by parity shielded first-parity sows from severe injuries caused by mixing-induced aggression.
Germany: decrease in the sows' census
In comparison with May 2012, we see a decrease by 2.7% in the number of sows.
Clinical case: Sudden increase in stillborn piglets and suckling pigs mortality
The litter size of the recent and the last farrowing batches was significantly reduced, and the suckling pigs showed an obvious varying weight, condition and viability.
Smithfield Foods global hog production operations moving toward complete conversion to group housing
Smithfield Foods, Inc. announced today that at the end of 2012 it had successfully transitioned 38% of pregnant sows on its company-owned farms in the United States from individual gestation stalls to group housing systems.
Nurse sows
As of the 3rd-4th day of lactation it is not recommendable anymore to replace small piglets and piglets with poor a growth rate for good piglets, because it is probable that the teat that has to be used has already dried off due to the scarce stimulation received for several consecutive days.
Characterization of “second parity syndrome” profiles and associated risk factors in French sow herds
“2nd parity syndrome” (P2S) includes various signs: delayed estrus, infertility and small litters.
How to protect the sows from the heating lamps in the farrowing quarters
In many occasions, the location of the heat lamp very near to the head of the sow can bother her.
Reducing pre-weaning mortality rates begins with sow management
Adequate gestation length and management promotes long-term pig health.
What do I do with this census?
In previous articles we have talked about the importance of a good sow replacement, and we have explained methods to calculate an adequate sow replacement rate. In this article we are going to show an example of a bad replacement policy and its consequences throughout time on the productivity of the farm.
Transfers of piglets until the 3rd-4th day after their birth
When there are not enough teats, the strongest piglet always occupies the place of the weak one, that is left without milk to suckle.
I'm missing weaned piglets/sow: Why?
Normally, when we ask a farmer which is their average number of weaned piglets per sow they normally know this parameter, because its calculation is easy, nevertheless...
Nests for piglets in the farrowing quarters
The aim of this trick is the improvement of the quality of the environment in the farrowing quarters for the sows as well as for the piglets, saving on energy consumption by means of the manufacturing of nests.
Group planning for group housing
Put 160 focussed pork producers, advisors, equipment manufacturers and researchers together for a total of three days to discuss improving sow welfare with group housing systems and you’ll generate varied views, some challenges and maybe some solutions.
Canada: scientists seek strategies for early detection and prevention of lameness of sows
Research examining the factors affecting the productivity of group housed sows will assist Canada's pork producers as they consider the switch to group sow housing systems.
Seasonal effects (temperature and light): analysis and minimization of their consequences
It is a widely documented fact that pig production has seasonal variations mainly focused on a descent in the reproductive efficiency in the gestation phase (difficulty in the coming into oestrus, a higher number of reproductive failures) during the summer and autumn months.