Heat Cycle

gsproull · Post by **gsproull** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 2:20 pm

I have just weaned two sows, and I have been told that sows will come in heat 5 days after weaning. Is this true, because I'll have to order semon Thursday if this is true.

ter · Post by **ter** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 3:01 pm

Yes, typically it is 5-7 days after weaning. Although, some dont and you have to give them pg600 to get them started again.

CHOPSTER · Post by **CHOPSTER** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 9:41 pm

how long after you give the pg600 will it take for them to come into heat? i have a sow due may 1st that will have to be breed back fairly quickly to get pigs for upcoming major shows in texas. my other sows are due around april 1st so i'll have to breed them on their 2nd or 3rd cycle after weaning. these are my 1st litters so i'm not sure what to expect.

drw · Post by **drw** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 12:47 pm

Sows come into standing heat from 3 to 7 days after weaning, with 4 or 5 days being most common. The timetable is the same for PG 600. Most will be standing 4 or 5 days after you give the shot.
Keep in mind that PG 600 won't change or shorten the cycle of an animal that is already cycling. You might give it as insurance 4 or 5 days before you expect the sows to be standing.

gsproull · Post by **gsproull** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 6:24 pm

Where can you get PG 600?

RobsShowHogs · Post by **RobsShowHogs** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 6:53 pm

You can get it from any animal health store. If not, here is a link online you can order it from.

http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html ... b0d0204ae5

CHOPSTER · Post by **CHOPSTER** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 11:22 pm

drw, are you saying that pg600 is only for gilts that have never cycled and for sows that have farrowed and have not yet started to cycle and that once a gilt or sow has started cycling on there own that it will not change the expected time of their natural heat cycle?

Non-Sequitor · Post by **Non-Sequitor** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 11:34 pm

That is correct.

ter · Post by **ter** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 10:44 am

Thats right. The only thing that can change a cycling gilt or sow is matrix. PG600 wont.

drw · Post by **drw** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 11:25 am

I have given this link before, but it might be helpful to some. The University of Kentucky has a publication called "Manipulation of the Estrous Cycle in Swine" that describes how the various natural hormones and synthetic products affect the estrous cycle in swine. It can be found at: http://www.uky.edu/Ag/AnimalSciences/pubs/asc152.pdf

I don't know any way to shorten the cycle of a sow or gilt that is already cycling to bring her into standing heat early. However, there are three ways to stop a sow or gilt from cycling:
1. Pregnancy
2. Feeding Matrix (Regumate)
3. Having expensive semen on hand

ter · Post by **ter** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 11:34 am

LOL number 3 is sooooo true.

[quote:48f2e77c57]I don't know any way to shorten the cycle of a sow or gilt that is already cycling to bring her into standing heat early. However, there are three ways to stop a sow or gilt from cycling:
1. Pregnancy
2. Feeding Matrix (Regumate)
3. Having expensive semen on hand

[/quote][/quote]