CATDOLL : CATDOLL: Countermeasures and prevention methods for sows biting piglets during farrowing

The phenomenon and reasons why sows bite piglets during birth

During the breeding process, we may encounter situations where sows bite or even kill their piglets during the birthing process. This is an abnormal behavior and usually occurs during the birthing process or in the case of first-time sows.

There are many reasons why sows bite their piglets, mainly including:

• Improper postpartum care : If the sow is not properly cared for during the farrowing process, it can cause her to become stressed, anxious and nervous.
• Individual differences : Some sows are naturally aggressive, overly wary of their piglets, and prone to aggressive behavior.
• Environmental factors : Before biting the piglets, the sow may be stimulated by the environment, such as odor, noise, etc., causing her emotions to lose control.
• Disease factors : Sows may suffer from certain diseases, such as postpartum depression, pregnancy toxemia, etc., which may cause their abnormal behavior.

Countermeasures and prevention methods

In response to the problem of sows biting piglets during childbirth, we can take the following measures to deal with and prevent it:

1. Prepare the pig house in advance

Before the sow is about to give birth, ensure that the environment of the pig house is quiet and warm, and reduce external stimuli that may cause tension in the sow, such as cleaning the pig house and eliminating odors.

2. Proper feeding and management

Farmers should strengthen observation and care of sows, provide sufficient food and water, ensure that the nutritional needs of sows are met before and after parturition, and reduce their emotional fluctuations.

3. Provide good monitoring during delivery

When the sow is giving birth, arrange for someone to monitor and assist the birthing process in time to ensure the safety of the sow and piglets. If the sow is found to have abnormal behavior, measures should be taken immediately to prevent the piglets from being bitten.

4. Temporarily isolate dangerous sows

For sows that often bite piglets, you can consider isolating them to avoid causing harm to other sows and piglets.

5. Equip professional staff

It is recommended that the farm be equipped with experienced veterinarians or professional breeders who can provide timely and accurate guidance and treatment methods to effectively prevent the problem of sows biting piglets.

Conclusion

It is a common problem in the breeding process that sows bite piglets when giving birth, but we can solve and prevent it through reasonable feeding management and timely response measures. By making breeding preparations in advance, strengthening observation and monitoring, isolating dangerous sows, etc., we can effectively reduce the occurrence of sows biting piglets, ensure the safety of piglets and the smooth progress of breeding.

Thank you for reading this article. I hope it can provide help and reference to practitioners in the aquaculture industry and ensure the sustainable development of the aquaculture industry.