The influence of management technology on the reproductive qualities of sows

Abstract

The management of mating and pregnant sows on a pig farm is quite a complex process. There are various ways of keeping animals in this technological group: group housing, individual housing, with or without bedding, with or without pasture, with artificial or natural microclimate and etc. Creating a comfortable environment is one of the main components at intensive technologies of breeding pigs. Reproductive quality, except breeding and aggregate genetic inclinations, is determined by the factors according to the content of the pigs biological characteristics. Taking this into consideration, a considerable interest occurs in studying the influence of management technology of pregnant sows on their productivity.The aim of the research was to study the reproductive qualities of sows by different breeding methods and by different management technologies. Experimental studies were carried out on the farm APC Agricultural firm ”MIG-Service-Agro” in Mykolayiv region and on the PJSC “Breed-Stock Plant “Steppe” in Zaporizhya region. For this experiment three breeds of pigs were taken: a interbreed type of Duroc Ukrainian selection “Steppe” (DUSS), a Large White of Foreign selection (LW (FS)) and a Landrace of French selection (L (FS)).Group of sows were selected on the principle of analogues, with taking into account their age, their life weight and origin. For this experience selected sows were divided into two groups, this selection was based on the dependence of the technology content. From the group of mating sows for insemination 20 heads of sows (2 or more farrowing) were selected to determine the performance of failed impregnation and fertility. After determination of gestation, sows on the second day were selected for further studies in the amount of 15 goals in each combination at different types of management. In the experimental group sows were kept under traditional management technology. In the mating period sows were kept in groups for 20 heads. After insemination within 5 days they were kept in individual stalls. Then before the onset of pregnancy and during the entire period of gestation sows were kept in groups for 15 animals in each stall. Within 7 days before the expected date of farrowing sows were transferred to the farrowing room, where they were kept in individual stalls. In the experimental group is mating, conditionally gestating, gestating, deep gestating and lactating sows during the entire period were kept in individual stalls.The results of this research show us that, the increase of multiple pregnancy by 0.94 heads, number of piglets at weaning to 1.42 head (P>0,999), life weight at 30 days of0.7 kgcompared with the animals of a group method of management. Higher reproductive qualities of animals in individual stalls for sows in the gestation period establish that, for fetal growth of piglets were created better conditions, which influence the decrease in embryonic mortality and further led to the increased growth of piglets.