Small litters

Breeding questions, sow talk, semen management, baby pig basics
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Jssp
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Small litters

Post by Jssp » Fri Feb 03, 2017 7:58 pm

What causes small litters? We had a litter of 5,3,3,and 1. All out of first time gilts. And are they worth another try

Norm
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Re: Small litters

Post by Norm » Fri Feb 03, 2017 9:22 pm

Need more details or history on your program. Not trying to be nosey, just tough to pinpoint. Here is a partial list of things that can affect litter size: gilt condition, genetics, semen quality, semen handling, boar age, insemination technique, insemination timing, heat detection, nutrition, feed storage, environmental conditions, disease, biosecurity, vaccination protocol, gestation housing and environment, and biosecurity. If you provide more details, maybe one would jump out. Your farm, your call on the retry. My place the two better milkers would get mated to the herd boar and if they don't show heat, conceive first service, maintain pregnancy, or have a litter of six, they are gone. Would have them a max of 180 days. If they meet all the thresholds, they may get a third chance. Other two would be on the next trip to town.

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