Gilts, Dry Sows and Service

• What is the purpose of gilts in herd management?

  To maintain herd size
• What is the planned replacement rate for gilts?

  40-60%
• What factors can affect the replacement rate of gilts?

  Disease, depopulation, increased culls, fertility problems
• What are the health status considerations for incoming gilts?

  • High health vs conventional
  • Equivalence or higher status needed
  • Vaccination pre- and post-delivery
  • Isolation requirements
  • Acclimation
• How long should incoming gilts be isolated?

  At least 28 days
• What is health acclimation for incoming gilts?

  Slowly exposing gilts to existing pathogens
• What can happen if acclimation is too little?

  Inadequate immunity affecting productivity
• What can happen if acclimation is too much?

  Clinical disease and death affecting productivity
• Which vaccinations are essential for gilts?

  Erysipelas and parvovirus
• When should the second dose of erysipelas vaccination be given?

  At least 2 weeks prior to mating
• When should parvovirus vaccination be administered?

  Not less than 2 weeks before mating
• When should controlled exposure begin for gilts?

  Not earlier than 20-22 weeks of age
• What is the ideal body weight for gilts at first service?

  136kg – 145kg
• What is the optimum average daily gain (ADG) for gilts?

  680g-770g per day
• What should be the selection percentage for gilts?

  Approximately 90%
• What is the ideal age for gilts at first service?

  200-230 days on second heat
• What are the key traits for gilt selection?

  Good feet, legs, and at least 14 teats
• How can gilt fertility performance be improved?

  Increased back fat before service
• What should be done with gilts at 70-80kg?

  Switch to sow food
• When should gilts be served?

  At second or third heat
• What is the minimum number of teats preferred for gilt selection?

  At least 14, preferably 16
• What should be checked for in teat selection?

  Damaged teats and spacing
• What is the recommended exposure to a boar for gilts?

  Daily exposure to a mature boar
• What should be avoided when exposing prepubertal gilts to boars?

  Habituation problems
• How long should boar exposure last?

  10-15 minutes
• What is the purpose of marking in-heat gilts?

  To record ear tag numbers
• What is the ideal timing for oral progesterone administration?

  After confirming cycling
• How long should progesterone be fed to gilts?

  For 18 days
• What should be done after progesterone treatment ends?

  Mix with boar immediately
• When do gilts come on heat after progesterone withdrawal?

  4-5 days
• What can cause anoestrus in gilts?

  Immaturity, poor environment, stress
• What are some clinical issues affecting reproductive conditions?

  Parvovirus, PRRS, listeriosis
• What is the ideal weaning age for piglets?

  28 days
• What is the significance of maintaining even numbers of sows served each week?

  To avoid peaks and troughs in production
• What is the target weaning to service interval?

  Aim for 5-6 days
• What can excessive weight loss during lactation lead to?

  Reduced production and fertility
• What factors influence lactation length?

  Sow condition, weight of weaners, culling policy
• What is the average gestation period for sows?

  115 days
• What is the average number of litters per sow per year?

  2.72 litters
• What happens during fertilization in the oviduct?

  Eggs are fertilized before moving to uterus