The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: The verge on May 07, 2020, 08:46:36 pm

Title: First time farrowing.
Post by: The verge on May 07, 2020, 08:46:36 pm

Hi we are looking to breed from one of our current landrace gilts. I am planning to go the artificial insemination route. We will be splitting her from the rest when she reaches about 70kg and have a separate pen with a farrowing hut in it. Will she be ok using the hut continuously until she is pregnant or should she have different accommodation.  Thanks in advance for any advice.

Title: Re: First time farrowing.
Post by: alang on May 08, 2020, 05:18:01 pm

I can see no problem with her using the same hut all the time. But. Is she going to have no contact with any other pigs after the 70Kg is reached? Remember pigs are social animals and need contact with others (or you could get problems with her).
Also if she is going to be using the same hut, i personally would move the hut to clean land with new bedding just before she farrows. That way you reduce the risk of contamination/viruses/diseases to the piglets.

Title: Re: First time farrowing.
Post by: harmony on May 12, 2020, 09:42:46 am

Agree with comments above. Splitting her from the rest with cause stress which you don't want when you need to AI. Have you got a group you are fattening and this one for breeding? In which case your fatteners will go off as they reach weight anyway. Have you only got gilts? A teaser boar is useful when you are doing AI.