Effective Heat Detection in Pig
Accurate heat detection is essential for the correct timing of insemination, however, heat (oesturs) is often missed or misdiagnosed because the signs are overlooked.
Follow the management guidelines below to ensure good timing, successful insemination and improved reproductive performance.
Management Guidelines
Take your time and know your pigs
Not all signs of heat are exhibited in any one female and response to boar contact can vary
Knowing your pigs will help you to recognise signs and take appropriate action to detect accurately the onset of oestrus
Always approach your pigs calmly and avoid interrupting their normal behaviour
Allow time to observe their true behaviour; allow reaction to your presence to subside
Many females respond instantly to boar presence, others take a few minutes
Some females may only exhibit a standing reflex for the boar they have had most contact with
Be patient and don’t be afraid to develop a bond!
Look for signs of coming into heat twice daily if possible
Proestrus is the first signal to watch for
The proestrus period occurs just before oestrus and lasts about one day
Identifying proestrus helps to predict the timing of standing heat and insemination
Allow at least seven hours between checks
Check for some or all of these signs:
Learn MoreBack end: swollen, red vulva (more notable in gilts than sows), watery discharge from vulva, clitoris flat and pale pink, becoming more prominent
Activity: restless, climb up gates and walls, mount other females but do not stand themselves, increasing interest in the boar
Sounds: high-pitched whining
Look for signs of being in standing heat
The oestrus period can last one to three days with ovulation often occurring late on the second day of ‘standing heat’
Standing heat is when the sow/gilt is receptive and will stand for mating/service
Accurately identifying the start of first standing heat is essential for good timing and successful insemination
Check for some or all of these signs:
Back end: vulva appears normal (swelling and redness subsides), sticky discharge from vulva, clitoris red and protruding, tail upright whilst standing and flicks up and down
Activity: poor appetite, pricked ears, stand with arched back, glazed eyes, trembling, attracted to stockperson, seek boar contact (if allowed), stand rigid if mounted
Sounds: very vocal with repeated grunts or long growls
Test for a standing reflex (the best indicator):
Check twice daily if possible, at least seven hours between checks
Apply pressure to the back and flanks
Do this at the same time as renewed boar presence
Receptive females will stand rigid and ears often prick up
Use the boar effectively and only when the stockperson is there to observe
Pheromones (odours) produced by active and chatty boars are the most potent and effective means of inducing the standing reflex in females
To maintain their libido allow regular services with cull sows
Females in heat will usually move forwards and assume standing reflex as a boar moves in front of them
The correct use of a vasectomised boar with breeding females can play an important part in stimulating and detecting heat, discuss with your vet
Supervised entire boars can also be used for heat detection, but must not be left in with a group of sows awaiting AI
Use a heat detection pen:
Take females to the boar
Use a designated pen rather than one where pigs are housed normally
Pen design should allow observation and physical contact (fenceline and direct)
Check small groups:
Aim to check only two females at a time
Apply the back pressure test at the same time as exposure to the boar
Remove females found to be in heat to allow the boar to concentrate on checking/stimulating heat in others
Avoid habituation:
Avoid exposing females to the boar for extended periods
Rotate boars used for heat detection
For breeding sows:
Provide 10-15 minutes per day of full boar contact for the first three days after weaning
Fenceline contact with an entire or vasectomised boar should be sufficient
It is essential to remove boar contact 24 hours before the start of oestrus detection to heighten sow resonse from day four
Mark and record sows in heat to aid timing of insemination
Check for returns daily using a boar until confirmed in pig
Identifying females that come back into heat is important for highlighting problems and rescheduling inseminations. Pay particular attention to likely returns around the projected return date (18 to 24 days after service).
Following insemination:
Watch for restless activity
Note any females that mount or ride other females
Provide and observe boar stimulation (10 to 15 minutes per day)
Mark and record any likely returns
Keep records and use a marker system
Being organised and efficient is essential for successful heat detection and insemination.
Clear records and coloured marks make it easy to know what is happening with each female and what needs to be done next
Record responses: Note tag number, date and time of proestrus, date and time of oestrus and standing heat plus any comments.
Develop a coloured marker system: Use different coloured spray markers and/or the position, shape or number of marks to show clearly the status of each female.
For more updates click here to join our WhatsApp group
-Advertisement-
We do everything possible to supply quality information for farmers day in, day out and we are committed to keep doing this.
Your kind donation will help our continuous research efforts.
