Thread by @RunganoNyere

A thread: it seems we have many smallholder farmers here doing piggery and many have requested that I do a thread on pregnant sow an piglet management. I will start with the mating process (serving a sow). Ensure the boar and the sow are of the same size in terms of mass

And ensure you don't force the process, hence the need for proper heat detection. Those who may want literature on heat detection just DM your email. Note down the date of serving the sow (eg 05/03/21), this date will give us the expected due date (birth).

Add 114/115 days as this is the gestation period for pigs. A series of vaccines are given to sow during the course of pregnancy (visit local Vet). 7 days before farrowing, wash your pregnant sow, deworm, spray to prevent mange and place in farrowing crate

Give wet feed 2-2.2kg/day before farrowing. Ensure the farrowing room is warm and dry and when birth is imminent place grass bedding on the floor. it's important to maintain floor, wall and ambient temperatures uniform. Check for signs of birthing eg milk secretion from the udder

During the birth process be there and assist when necessary. Ensure all the piglets born suckle so as to get colostrum. Cut and tie the hanging umbilical cord and treat the area with an appropriate wound remedy.

If there is need for specialized assistance call the Vet.
Day 2 after birth: give iron injection to the piglets, clip off the canine teeth (minimise udder infections), dock the tails and tag/notch the piglets (identification)

Give the sow lactation meal. Assuming it has give birth to 14 piglets, give the sow it's 2kg maintance ration and an additional 7kg for milk production (14*½). This is done gradually until the sow I'm now able to finish the feed. For more questions DM is open
Happy Farming

#ZimAgricRising