Matrix or PG 600?

Breeding questions, sow talk, semen management, baby pig basics
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craiglibby
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Matrix or PG 600?

Post by craiglibby » Fri Nov 01, 2019 7:44 am

We have a sow that we are needing to get bred, and this will be her 2nd litter. When we bred her as a gilt early this year, she had numerous obvious signs of being in heat, but she never locked up and stood. Based on timing, we got 3 doses in her and she settled just fine. She had a litter of 7 in June. Fast forward to September and we aren't seeing any signs of heat at all. We put her in the trailer and took her for a ride, then brought her back home. 2 days later, it looked like she MAY have had a little swelling that lasted for a couple days, but it was barely discernible. We notated the date and waited 21 days to see what she did. Again, she seemed to possibly have some minimal swelling, but not enough to be certain that she was in heat. Both times, there were no other signs or indications that she was in heat at all. No moisture, no change in vulva color, no change in attitude, no reaction to boar spray. Only the slight swelling. Our intention was to breed her on that second time, but without being certain she was ready, we didn't want to spend the money on semen and then have it wasted. Now, we're starting to run out of time to get her bred for summer fairs, so we want to get something figured out. If she actually was in heat after the trailer ride, then again 21 days later, she should be back in again this month on the 15th.

My question is, based on the fact that we don't really know for sure that she was truly in heat this last month and a half, but we want to get the ball rolling, and get her bred, would it be better to use Matrix on her, or use PG 600, in order to kick start a cycle? I understand what the differences are between the two, and how each one is supposed to work, but I've seen where sometimes using one or the other won't necessarily start a cycle, but might cause one to cycle harder so the signs are more obvious. Even if that's all we got, we'd be happy with that, knowing that we could get her bred. We have gotten some differing opinions from people as to which one would be best, so I thought I might see what advice you all could offer.

Pac
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Re: Matrix or PG 600?

Post by Pac » Fri Nov 01, 2019 1:51 pm

Based off your info PG600 won't work in this scenario. I've had luck with Matrix giving stronger signs after use. I would recommend that route of you're set on getting her bred. There are quite a few boar studs (southern gold specifically) that have great deals on great boars. With that in miind I would plan to hit here with as many doses as you can coming off the matrix.

Having dealt with difficult sows and gilts I would tell you that in the long run it's not worth it (or even short run). There are so many females out there that make getting them bred so much easier and much less expensive.

walnuthollow
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Re: Matrix or PG 600?

Post by walnuthollow » Mon Jan 27, 2020 9:10 pm

Is there any chance you've got access to a teaser boar? A couple years ago, we had a runt among runts that we kept intact and made him a pet. He's three years old and might be pushing 200#...too big to wiggle under, but not big enough to bust through a pen. When we think they're ready, we just take him for a walk, and the seasoning sows line up like a Christmas parade.

We still use Matrix on our purebreds to make sure we're hitting the first week of the month. But even then, Stinky Pete locks'em in.

farmersdaughter01
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Re: Matrix or PG 600?

Post by farmersdaughter01 » Tue Apr 07, 2020 7:48 pm

What did you end up using? I have a sow with the same problem. After talking it over with my vet, we decided to try the pg600. It will be delivered this week.

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bcbully
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Re: Matrix or PG 600?

Post by bcbully » Thu Apr 09, 2020 5:31 pm

I would do both, use Matrix for 14 days and then inject PG600. That way you cover a non-cycling issue as well as timing.
Brian

craiglibby
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Re: Matrix or PG 600?

Post by craiglibby » Thu Apr 16, 2020 11:23 pm

farmersdaughter01 wrote:
Tue Apr 07, 2020 7:48 pm
What did you end up using? I have a sow with the same problem. After talking it over with my vet, we decided to try the pg600. It will be delivered this week.
We decided to go with the PG600. Ironically enough though, she came into heat all on her own when we ran some young weaners by her pen on their way to another pen. :? Of course, this happened about two days after we got the PG600 and were waiting to use it on her :lol:

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