Breeding pigs at home can be very profitable. Such farm animals gain weight very quickly and at the same time are fertile. Of course, replenishing a domestic herd on farms of this specialization can be done simply by buying piglets. But it is much more profitable to grow a good uterus and a boar yourself. Every farmer needs to know how pig breeding occurs.
General Information on Pig Breeding
Farm animals of this species reach physical maturity by the age of about 9 months. It was at this time that the future uterus was first brought down with a boar. The pluses of pigs, among other things, include the fact that their pregnancy does not last very long. On average, this period is 110-120 days, that is, about 4 months. Only in some cases, the uterus can bear cubs 101 days or up to 126.
Theoretically, with very good care, one pig can bring 10-14 cubs at a time. But most often in the litter there are still 6-10 piglets. But in any case, the breeding of pigs on the farm is usually very fast. By the age of six months, young pigs, depending on the breed, can reach a weight of 60-100 kg. It was at this time that the animals grown for meat were slaughtered.
After giving birth to a new mating, the sow is ready in 1.5 months. But they bring the producer with the boar usually still no more than twice a year. Too frequent pregnancies can adversely affect the health of the uterus and, consequently, its offspring.
Manufacturers selection
These are the peculiarities of breeding pigs. But of course, in order for the herd to be replenished with healthy animals in the future, the farmer must first select good producers. The development of piglets in any herd usually does not go very evenly. Some pigs gain weight very quickly, while others may be slightly behind in development. The successors of the genus in pig farms usually begin to be selected already when the young growth reaches the age of 4 months.
Of course, future sows and boars should be healthy in the first place. Therefore, for the reproduction of the herd, they primarily choose the strongest pigs that are not prone to diseases.
It is believed that the most active and agile piglets with a not-so-evil character are best suited as boars on farms. When choosing a sow, of course, you also need to pay attention to its nature. It is believed that to replenish the herd, individuals who are calm, not cocky and loyal to the owners are best suited. Such mumps subsequently usually become good mothers.
Also, when choosing a future producer, one should, of course, pay attention to her constitution. The exterior of the animal must meet the breed standards as much as possible. Of course, animals with a wide basin are best suited for the role of the uterus. This will make the process of breeding pigs as successful as possible on the farm. The photo below, for example, shows a high-quality uterus that can bring good offspring.
The pig selected for production should not be too large. The optimal weight of the uterus is considered to be 100-120 kg. Very large pigs, unfortunately, often crush part of their piglets.
When to mate
The selected uterus and boar at 4 months old are separated from the main herd and transferred to a special room. Keep manufacturers in the future always together. In the room chosen for them, they simply put a railing so that the pigs could not contact, but always saw each other. Cases of piglets unfamiliar with each other, unfortunately, often end in failure.
As already mentioned, the peculiarity of breeding domestic pigs is that for the first time, the uterus and the boar are usually reduced at the age of 9 months. At the same time, of course, they preliminarily wait for the onset of the hunting period for the pig. At this time, the animal becomes very active, eats poorly, sometimes freezes in one place for several minutes. You can also determine that the female is in the hunt by her reddened genitals. This symptom is especially noticeable in young queens.
The hunting period for pigs lasts about 2-3 days. Moreover, such conditions are repeated in animals with a frequency of 18-24 days.
Breeding pigs: how to mate
To cover on farms, the female is supposed to be transferred to the department to the male, and not vice versa. In this case, the boar will not be distracted by an unfamiliar environment, which will increase the chances of successful coverage and the onset of pregnancy.
The future uterus is usually left in the male’s department for at least several hours. This greatly increases the chance of a successful coverage. It is undesirable for a farmer to be present at mating. Outsiders at this moment will distract the male, because of which he may refuse to fulfill his duties.
How to determine pregnancy
The owner of the pig farm can determine the success of the mating of producers within a week after it. By this time, a translucent white discharge begins to appear in the pregnant uterus from the organs of the reproductive system. Also, the gestation of a pig can be determined by its behavior. In a pregnant animal:
A pregnant animal often lies on its side. Also, he does not start a new hunt 15-30 days after mating.
Pregnancy in a pig can also be determined by palpation. To do this, you need to put the pig on its side and wait until it calms down. The embryos of the uterus, if it is not too well-fed, will be felt in the area of the nipples.
How to care for a pregnant animal
For successful breeding of pigs on the farm and a quick increase in the number of farmers, the farmer needs, among other things, to know what requirements are imposed on keeping pregnant uterus. In the first place, of course, it is necessary for a pregnant animal to provide decent living conditions. To clean the pen in such a pig should be several times a week. Keep the uterus in a bright, dry, well-ventilated area.
Of course, a pig at home after pregnancy, in addition to everything else, must be properly fed. The uterus should receive a sufficient amount of succulent feed, roughage and concentrates. In the diet of the animal, it is necessary to introduce hay flour from legumes, carrots, silage, salt, chalk.
How to determine farrowing time
The owners of the farm should start preparing for sow delivery from about 110 days of pregnancy. It is possible to determine that the animal will soon have cubs by the following signs:
the pig becomes restless;
the animal often lays down and abruptly jumps up;
the pig grabs his mouth with the litter and begins to drag it around the corners.
Also, early uterus can be determined by physiological signs:
Before the birth, the animal finds a secluded place, lies on its side and calms down.
What to do during farrowing
Delivery in pigs is usually easy. In any case, you do not need to call a veterinarian on the farm to take cubs. Piglets exit the birth canal of the uterus at short intervals. Attempts in a pig occur at intervals of approximately 10 minutes.
The owner of the farm is required to attend the uterus during childbirth. In some cases, piglets may be born in the bladder. If it is not torn manually, the cub will suffocate. Also, sometimes piglets have to be reanimated, making them artificial respiration and lowering them into warm water for several seconds.
How to care for the uterus after childbirth
After farrowing, the pig begins lactation. At this time, it should first of all receive a large amount of protein-rich feed. In the diet of the uterus, you need to introduce more concentrates and high-quality compound feed. In this case, the reproduction of pigs at home for the farmer will be successful. The uterus will be able to feed all the piglets that were born, and the cubs themselves will grow strong and healthy.
During the first two weeks after birth, pigs are given only liquid feed. That is, their food is diluted in water in a proportion of 1x3. Such food is offered to the animal 4-5 times a day. Of course, the uterus is necessarily given juicy food and greens.
How to care for newborns
After the birth of the piglets themselves find the nipple in the uterus. There is no need to help them with this. The only thing for the farmer, and especially the first time, is to ensure that the uterus does not strangle its offspring. Over the next 10 days after giving birth, the cubs feed exclusively on pig milk. After 10 days, they are first offered water. Piglets are fed after 14 days after farrowing. At this time, cereals are introduced into the diet of the cubs.
Features of the care for bridle-bellied pigs
Piglets of this breed have recently become more and more popular with Russian farmers. The peculiarity of the Vietnamese slaughter pig is primarily precocity. Representatives of this breed are usually killed at the age of 4 months. And of course, many farmers would like to know what the reproduction process of Vietnamese pigs is.
The case of such piglets, as they develop rapidly, is usually carried out already at the age of six months. Such uterus of babies is hatched for about 4 months. That is, in this regard, the reproduction of the Vietnamese lumbar pig occurs in the same way as representatives of any other breeds. Standardly in such queens, childbirth also proceeds.