The reproductive performance of sows is the most concerned issue in pig farms. Sows with good reproductive performance usually have a regular estrus cycle, a high number and quality of ovulation, a high mating and conception rate, a large number of piglets, good quality, good vitality, and high survival rate. In addition, sows with long service life have good lactation performance. Understanding the breeding habits of sows using animal B-ultrasound machines during the breeding process is of great significance for targeted scientific feeding and management of sows, accelerating the process of sow breeding, and improving the quality of sow breeding. The breeding habits of sows mainly include the estrus period of young sows, the estrus period of multiparous sows, the age of first mating of reserve sows, sow mating, pregnancy, childbirth, etc.

Detection of the characteristics of estrus in sows using a Veterinary Ultrasound machine

The estrus period refers to the time when a sow first goes into heat and ovulates. Its estrus period varies depending on the breed, environment, nutrition, and contact with boars, and ranges from 4 to 8 months of age. Generally speaking, sows do not participate in mating during the estrus period, but rather wait for 2-3 estrus periods before mating. At this time, the success rate of mating and conception is higher. During the initial estrus period, sows often experience incomplete estrus and abnormal estrus cycles, and their reproductive organs are still in the process of growth and development. The estrus period of sows is influenced by nutrition, environment, feeding management, and breed. Some breeds come earlier, usually 3-4 months old, while others come later, usually 5-6 months old.

Under good feeding management, sufficient nutrition supply, and suitable environment, the estrus period of sows will also be appropriately advanced. After the estrus period, as the sow grows older, its reproductive organs gradually develop completely, and the estrus cycle and ovulation gradually return to normal. The sow has the ability to reproduce offspring, which marks that it has reached sexual maturity. At this time, the sow is generally between 5 and 8 months old. Sows reach sexual maturity first and then physical maturity, usually 1-2 months after sexual maturity, before they can participate in mating.

Detection of estrus characteristics of sows using two animal B-ultrasound machines

The estrus period of sows refers to the stage when multiparous or young sows receive male pig mating. The estrus period of sows is regular and can last for 1-5 days, with an average of 2 days. Generally, older and higher parity sows have longer estrus periods.

Sows ovulate during estrus, usually 12 hours before the end of estrus, but the specific time of ovulation is difficult to determine because the duration of estrus varies among different sows. However, energetic sperm need to reach the sow's reproductive tract a few hours before ovulation, otherwise it will affect the sow's mating and conception rate, leading to a decrease in the number of piglets per litter. Sows will show obvious estrus symptoms during the estrus period.

Proper identification of estrus in sows is crucial for improving their mating and conception rates. Estrus sows are sensitive to boars. When boars approach, hear their calls, or smell their scent, sows will exhibit a standing reflex. They like to approach boars, and when staff touch sensitive areas such as the back, ears, and breasts of sows with their hands, standing reflex will also occur. After estrus, sows will release some viscous fluid from their vagina, which turns into milk like mucus during the peak estrus period and becomes slightly yellow in the later stage.

During mating, the optimal mating time is mainly determined by the mucus state inside the sow's vagina. Generally, the best breeding period is when the mucus is yellow white and viscous. In addition, the female reproductive system of sows also undergoes significant changes during estrus, with colors ranging from pink to deep red and finally to purple red, and the state changing from swelling to shrinking to wrinkling. Generally, the best timing for mating is when the color of the female reproductive system is purple red and the swelling subsides.

Detection of Ovulation Characteristics of Sows by Three animal B-ultrasound Machines

Sows ovulate during estrus, usually with follicle formation and discharge, corpus luteum formation, degeneration, and the formation of more follicles. If the sow does not mate after estrus, or if pregnancy is unsuccessful, it will usually re estrus once after 18-24 days. On average, it takes 21 days. Progesterone is secreted by the corpus luteum, while estrogen is secreted by follicles. If the sow successfully becomes pregnant, the corpus luteum and its function will not degrade to ensure the safety of the sow during pregnancy.

The number of ovulations in pigs is influenced by factors such as genetics, mating age, mating time, and nutrition. Generally, the number of ovulations in hybrid sows is higher than that in purebred sows. And as the parity of the sow increases, the ovulation rate also increases, reaching its peak at 5-6 parity. Implementing short-term optimal feeding for sows is a key technology to improve their reproductive performance, ovulation rate, and egg quality.