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Effect of Reduced Farrowing Interval on Sow Productivity

1969; Oxford University Press; Volume: 28; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.2527/jas1969.28176x

1544-7847

Neal Weaver Moody, D. S. Baker, V. W. Hays, V. C. Speer,

Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies

The reproductive efficiency of sows mated by 15 days after a short lactation (average of 20 days) was compared to the performance of sows mated subsequent to 15 days after weaning. In the first experiment, conception rate was low for sows that were pen-mated by 15 days after weaning. Normal conception rate was attained when sows were hand-mated in small groups in the second experiment. Total number of pigs and number of live pigs farrowed by the sows that conceived by 15 days after early weaning was significantly reduced in both experiments. Average birth-weight and gain from birth to weaning were increased significantly in the litters farrowed by the sows conceiving by 15 days after weaning in the first experiment, but this was largely due to the reduced litter size and heavier birthweights in these litters. The number of pigs weaned was not influenced by the estrus of conception in either experiment.