Open AccessImproving management for the benefit of people and pigs: Synchronized farrowing in the pig
Author(s) -
M. Wähner,
U Hühn
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
biotechnology in animal husbandry/biotechnology in animal husbandry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2217-7140
pISSN - 1450-9156
DOI - 10.2298/bah0302001w
Subject(s) - synchronizing , animal husbandry , herd , zoology , medicine , biology , mathematics , topology (electrical circuits) , ecology , combinatorics , agriculture
The induction of farrowing within a reproductive management framework already plays a considerable routine role in the husbandry of the sow herd. This issue increases the awareness of the effects that the various chosen farrowing synchronizing injections and treatment programs have in parturient sows and piglets. The application of biotechnologically derived methods to synchronize the commencement of the birth process and the management of farrowing can be traced back to the 1970?s. Following the availability of Prostaglandin F2? various treatment programs for synchronizing farrowings were developed. The injection to induce farrowing must not be given prior to the 114th day of gestation, in order to ensure minimal risk of affecting the final and important growth surge of the fetuses. The combination of PGF2? with a long acting Oxytocin (Hypophysin?) allows for a further reduction in the individual variation in the commencement of farrowing and reduces the duration of farrowing for each parturient sow. The synchronization eases the observation, recording and husbandry tasks required for the sow and neo-natal piglets, facilitates an effective cross fostering system and where problematic, reduces the frequency of dystocias and MMA type disorders.