The fact is quite obvious: the increase in wealth at the agrarian begins when livestock appears on the farmstead. This article will focus on the most common and profitable type of animal husbandry - pig farming.
Why is pig farming profitable?
With successful farrowing of pigs at home, the sow can bring from 10 to 20 pigs at a time. During the year, she has two farrowing, while in cows and sheep such fertility is not observed. And applying a shortened feeding period for small piglets (up to 30 days), you can get as a result of 5 farrowing, and this is for 2 years. With such fertility, one sow per year can make a profit of three tons of meat. The result is more than impressive.
Criteria for choosing a pig for offspring
For successful farrowing of pigs at home, several key points need to be considered. Pigs become sexually mature at about 5–8 months. At this time, and choose a female for further breeding pigs at home. One of the main factors is the acquisition of the breed, the most common in the area. Cleanliness is also key. If possible, pigs should be acquired from highly productive queens. Pay attention not only to the number of small piglets from one farrow, but also to the ability to feed offspring and the habits of the animal.
Appearance will also tell a lot. A highly productive sow has a developed chest, an exterior without flaws (for example, a curved back), strong legs and a correct bite. If the pig’s upper jaw is slightly curved, this may be a sign of rhinitis, which will also affect productivity. In addition, this defect can pass to the offspring. Nipples should be developed.
Females are best acquired in winter or early spring. Firstly, the cultivation will take place on warm days, which will allow them to feed cheaper feeds. Secondly, mating will be possible by the end of the year, and the offspring will be obtained in early spring of next year. Its further implementation will not be difficult and will bring great benefits.
The content of males intended for reproduction
Leaving males for breeding, it is necessary to thoroughly study the features of their growth. Males with deficiencies in the exterior (malocclusion and undeveloped genitals) should be discarded.
From about 3 or 4 weeks, small piglets are gradually introduced to succulent feeds. Root crops are ground on a fine grater, then on a coarse grater, and in the end they should simply be cut with a knife. About 50 more days are not taken from the mother. Important: on the third day of life and after three weeks, it is necessary to administer preparations containing iron - 5 ml of urzoferan or 2 ml of ferodex. After about 16 weeks, the future producer, with normal development, already has a mass of about 40 kg. It is necessary to pay attention to the daily gain. It is recommended to adhere to about 650 grams.
Puberty is slow and ends at the age of 8 months. It is recommended to use males for reproduction when they at least already have a year. Moreover, they should have a body weight of about 200 kg. It was irrational to use before: weak offspring appeared, the growth of animals was reduced, the body was exhausted, which shortened the period of their use on the tribe.
Sex Hunting
The physiological maturity of pigs and their readiness for reproduction occur at the age of 10-15 months. At this time, their mass reaches about 130–140 kg, and pairing can be done. During the year there are several periods of hunting. At this time, a change in the hormonal background occurs in the pigs. The cycle period is approximately 18–20 days.
Hormonal changes in the body provoke a sharp change in the behavior of the female. She is restless, runs, practically does not eat and strives for a boar. There is a reflex of stillness: she raises her tail and freezes. Similar behavior can be observed for several days. This period is one of the most responsible in keeping pigs! Ovulation occurs: an egg, ready for fertilization, is released from the ovary. It occurs on the second day after bright changes in behavior and lasts a day or two.
What is the best way to choose the best time for insemination?
Timing plays a key role in the fertilization process. Three main factors can influence the timing. It is worth taking into account the narrow time frame of fertilization - from 5 to 10 hours. Next, the aging of the egg occurs, which affects the possibility of fertilization and the appearance of pathogenic or defective development. In addition, it is advisable to carry out the mating 6 hours before ovulation. It is necessary to take into account the viability of sperm. When mating a female with a boar, it will be about a day or two.
Knowing that in most animals the drive lasts about half a day, fertilization is carried out according to the scheme. If the beginning of sexual hunting was recorded in the morning, then based on the female’s natural biological rhythms, the procedure is scheduled for the evening - between 17 and 19 hours. The manifestation of sexual activity in the evening necessitates insemination in the morning - at 5 or 6 hours.
Another very important point. It is necessary to cover the pigs twice: the first time - after the manifestation of signs of hunting, and the second time - after 14 hours. If necessary, insemination is repeated until the female calms down. At first glance, raising pigs at home is an occupation that requires specific skills and knowledge. But if you adhere to the terms, rules and regulations, the result will not be long in coming.
Natural sow boar coating
Temperature affects the reproduction of boars. Its optimal performance is 20–22 degrees above zero. If it is hot outside, then the fertilizing ability is reduced by about 30%, if not more. Cold floors in winter or autumn can also significantly affect the reproductive health of boars. Lack of movement and lack of walking can be a negative factor. The insemination process lasts 5-10 minutes, after which the pig is transferred to a quiet place.
Stages of preparation for the offspring
Farrowing pigs at home involves the appearance of healthy offspring and minimizing the negative effects after childbirth. Room preparation is the first thing you need to pay close attention to. For this, it is disinfected with a hot alkali solution at the rate of 100 grams per half liter of water. Processing are walls, floors and equipment. It will be useful to paint the wall of the machine with freshly slaked lime to destroy pathogenic bacteria, since pigs are very vulnerable after childbirth.
It is better to prepare scissors for cutting the umbilical cord, burlap, warm water and tincture of iodine in advance. It is very necessary to carefully monitor the animal. Signs of farrowing include increased appetite, more relaxed behavior than usual. In this case, the estrus does not occur in the female. The farrowing offensive is also calculated by the timing. It can be expected from 110 days since mating. The sow must be transferred to a separate stall and watch it. For 3-4 days, the diet of her feeding is reduced by about half.
Immediately before birth, pregnant sows are very restless. They instinctively prepare a nest, dig a litter and stretch out on it. Most often, they also jump up, then lie down again. Now it’s time to warm the water and establish a watch.
It is important to have a maternity cage. This minimizes the likelihood that the sow simply transfers its small piglets. She is placed in such a machine a few days before the onset of labor, and the litter is changed.
Farrowing sows
It is noted that the birth of a pig takes place more often in the dark. Usually they last about 4 hours, but it also happens that farrow is delayed by 10 hours. Under normal conditions, small piglets appear one after another with an interval of 5 minutes. If the birth is difficult, the pig is taken out to the paddock, the stomach is massaged and the sweetened water is drunk, and doused with water in the heat.
At birth, piglets are covered with mucus. The option of appearing in the birth bag is possible. To break the bag is extremely important, while it is necessary to wipe the respiratory organs and jaws of mucus so that the pig does not suffocate. Then you can thoroughly wipe it. Only then the umbilical cord is cut 5-6 cm from the abdomen. At the cliff site, disinfection with iodine solution is carried out. Before planting the piglet in the sow, the udder of the mother is washed and wiped dry. If damaged, it is disinfected with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. To keep the sows calm, a piglet is planted on it. He sucks mother’s milk, warms up, and farrow is calmer. If the pig behaves uneasily, then the piglets are placed in boxes.
It is important not to be late with the first feeding of piglets, which should occur one and a half or two hours after giving birth. The last must be removed in time, otherwise there is a huge risk of eating their own offspring. To prevent the sow from crushing pigs, barriers about 15 cm high are placed along the walls of the machine. Subsequently, the cubs will get stronger and will be able to run away from their mother. In general, farrowing of pigs at home is calm, but with complications it is necessary to consult with professionals.
Recovery of the female after childbirth
After farrowing, the pig’s body is dehydrated. Therefore, in her drinker should be clean water with a temperature not lower than 10 degrees Celsius. Lack of fluid can dramatically worsen the process of milk formation and adversely affect the general condition of the animal. In the postpartum period, constipation can occur, so it is important to diversify the diet as much as possible. The first feeding is carried out no earlier than ten hours after birth. A third of the norm of chatter is fed. The amount of sow must be gradually increased. After about a week, you can give a full feed rate.
To avoid depletion of the sow by the end of the period of feeding the young, the daily ration should be increased by 80%. Potatoes are served boiled, but other vegetables can be offered in raw, after chopping them. After feeding, you should walk the sow for about 15 minutes. At this time, the premises are cleaned and the piglets are looked after. After a week, the walking time increases, and in the warm season, sows with piglets can be released. They are very vulnerable. Care must be taken. You can not beat, scold, as this negatively affects the behavior of the sow.
Feeding young animals
Pig's milk is the main source of nutrition for piglets. However, in their diet should be crushed chalk, charcoal, red clay to prevent anemia, signs of which are white diarrhea, pale skin. At the same time, newborns are apathetic, do not eat.
In the first days of life, the baby’s body absorbs only breast milk. Weekly young animals are introduced to top dressing. Fried grain has not only a sweet taste, but also crumbles, you just have to slightly press on it, which facilitates absorption. Small piglets are transferred to cow's milk already in the second week of life, since it differs little in composition from pork. But it is advisable to feed it in small portions several times a day.
Optimum time for weaning piglets
To reduce the cost of breeding pigs at home in their main diet, as a rule, include products grown in personal households. Therefore, piglets are accustomed to such feeding from early childhood.
Weaning of piglets before the age of two months is considered early. It is economically feasible to carry out weaning a month later. However, only developed piglets that are accustomed to eating feed should be taken away.
Conclusion
In general, keeping pigs is highly profitable. Pigs are omnivores. They are able to absorb any food. By observing the technology and culture of production, you can achieve high results.