CATDOLL : Effective strategies and techniques to improve sow milk production

Sow milk is an important factor in ensuring the healthy growth of piglets, and directly affects the survival rate and growth rate of piglets. Therefore, how to effectively increase sow milk has become an important topic in the pig farming industry. In this article, we will explore a variety of scientific strategies and techniques to increase sow milk supply and ensure the healthy growth of piglets.

1. Sow Nutrition Management

Nutrition is a key factor affecting sow milk secretion. Adequate nutrition supply can not only improve the body condition of sows, but also enhance the quality and quantity of their milk.

• Balanced diet formula : Sows should consume enough energy, protein, minerals and vitamins. In the daily feed formula, the energy source should be mainly corn and other grains, and protein can be supplemented by high-protein feed such as soybean meal.
• Increase water intake : Maintaining adequate water intake is an important factor in increasing milk production. Sows should drink 10-20 liters of water every day. If necessary, a drinking fountain can be used to allow sows to drink fresh water at any time.
• Supplement nutritional additives : Appropriately adding some nutritional additives that promote milk secretion, such as amino acids, enzymes, etc., can effectively increase milk volume.

2. Proper feeding method

Improvements in feeding methods can also significantly increase milk secretion, ensuring that sows receive optimal nutritional status during lactation.

• Increase the number of feedings : When the sow is about to give birth and is in the lactation period, appropriately increasing the number of feedings can improve its digestion and absorption capacity. It is recommended to feed it two to three times a day.
• Gradually increase the amount of feed : In the later stages of sow pregnancy, the amount of feed can be gradually increased to help the sow gain weight and reserve nutrition for the lactation period.

3. Appropriate environmental management

The living environment of the sow also has a vital impact on milk secretion. It is necessary to create a good living environment to reduce stress and increase milk secretion.

• Maintain a suitable temperature : The comfortable temperature for sows is generally between 18-22°C, avoid temperatures that are too high or too low. In a high temperature environment, sows may be stressed and their milk secretion may be affected.
• Good ventilation and hygiene : Keep the pig house ventilated and clean to reduce the risk of disease transmission and help sows maintain good health.

4. Precise health management

Healthy sows can provide sufficient milk. Regular health checks and vaccinations are essential steps.

• Regular check-ups : Establish a regular health check-up system to promptly detect and address potential problems, such as diseases such as mastitis.
• Timely treatment : Once a disease is discovered, it must be isolated and treated in a timely manner to ensure the health of the entire group.

5. Focus on psychological factors

The psychological state of the sow is also directly related to milk secretion. Some psychological factors such as stress and anxiety may lead to reduced milk secretion.

• Reduce external stimulation : Avoid excessive external interference during the sow's farrowing period and try to make the sow feel safe and relaxed.
• Provide a stable environment : Sows should have a relatively stable environment during lactation to reduce frequent removal from the shed and personnel flow.

6. Timely intervention measures

If the sow's milk secretion is insufficient, some scientific intervention measures can be considered:

• Use of lactation-promoting drugs : Under the guidance of a professional veterinarian, some drugs that promote milk secretion can be used to help sows increase their milk supply.
• Supplementing nutrient solution : The nutritional status of sows can be effectively improved by adding high-energy, easily absorbed nutrient solution.

7. Observe the growth of piglets

The healthy growth of piglets is an important criterion for measuring whether the sow has sufficient milk. Farmers should regularly observe the growth of piglets and the frequency of feeding.

• Growth rate : The growth rate of piglets should be assessed weekly to ensure that they are developing normally and there should be no obvious growth retardation.
• Milk absorption : Observe whether the piglets show signs of hunger when feeding. If the piglets cry frequently, it may mean that the sow does not have enough milk.

Summarize

The strategy to improve sow milk involves nutrition management, feeding methods, environmental management, health management, attention to psychological factors and timely intervention measures. By strictly following these effective strategies, farmers can not only significantly improve sow milk secretion, but also lay a solid foundation for the healthy growth of piglets.

Thank you for reading this article. I hope these methods can help you effectively improve the milk supply of sows and ensure the healthy growth of piglets in breeding practice.