Gestation
Sow Housing Options for Gestation
Publish Date: June 3, 2006
Housing for gestating sows is very important to promote productivity, longevity and welfare of sows. There are many options for the housing of sows which must adhere to environmental needs, space and animal movement considerations, and feeding and watering systems. This fact sheet focuses specifically on those needs and then describes a variety of housing.
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Economics of Gestation Housing
Publish Date: June 3, 2006
The economics of various methods for housing gestating sow has received very little attention by the pork industry. The most common method for housing gestating sows is indoors in individual stalls. The major reasons for using individual gestation stalls are: (1) a worker can more easily manage a larger number of sows with respect to…
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Care of the Sow During Farrowing and Lactation
Publish Date: June 3, 2006
Proper care of the sow during gestation, farrowing, and lactation is a means to reach a goal—a large litter of healthy pigs at birth that will remain healthy and grow rapidly. Care during this time must also prepare the sow for a successful repeat performance at the earliest time within the system of weaning and rebreeding used. The sow must reach farrowing in the best nutritional and microbiological health for herself and for the expected litter. Properly balanced rations should be fed in recommended amounts so that newborn pigs are well developed and strong. A herd health program that assures minimal exposure of the sow to disease or disease carriers during gestation is essential for maximal litter survival during the first weeks of life and for effective growth to weaning and market. The sows should be managed in a gentle and confident manner and on a regular daily schedule.
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