The average gestation period for a sow from weaning to the next estrus is around 39 days. However, it's typically possible to breed sows 5 to 7 days after they are weaned. Despite this, between 20% and 30% of sows may still experience delayed estrus following weaning. This can be a major concern for farmers, as it affects breeding efficiency and productivity. To help sows return to estrus quickly and effectively, several strategies can be implemented.
First, proper feeding management plays a crucial role. Sows that are either undernourished or overfed may struggle to come into heat. After weaning, it’s important to adjust their diet—increasing nutrient levels and using more precise feed while reducing roughage to help them recover faster and encourage estrus. For sows that are overweight, it's advisable to reduce concentrate feed, increase fiber intake, and encourage more physical activity to maintain a balanced body condition.
Second, changing the environment can also help. Moving non-estrus sows to a new pen and placing them near sows that are already in estrus can stimulate them. The presence of estrous sows, especially through behaviors like mounting, can trigger the hormonal responses needed for estrus.
Third, hormone treatments are often used when natural methods don’t work. One common approach is the use of triad hormones, which can induce estrus in over 97% of sows within 2 to 4 days. In addition, administering 40 micrograms of ovulation hormone 2 half an hour before mating can increase litter size by about 37%. Another option is to use maternal serum gonadotropin and human chorionic gonadotropin. Injecting 250–1000 units of these hormones into each sow can lead to successful estrus in 80% of cases within 10 days, with up to 90% becoming pregnant after mating.
Fourth, acupuncture has shown promising results in stimulating estrus in sows that have not come into heat for a long time. A 10–15 minute acupuncture session can result in 88% of sows showing signs of estrus within two weeks, and 68% of them successfully becoming pregnant after mating.
Lastly, traditional Chinese medicine can also be beneficial. A herbal formula containing ingredients like Yang Qishi (50g), Motherwort (70g), Angelica (50g), Chuanxiong (40g), Dodder (40g), Epimedium (50g), Polygonatum (50g), and Rehmannia (30g) can be prepared by boiling the herbs twice and mixing the extract into 2–5 kg of liquid. This should be given in three divided doses.
By combining these approaches, farmers can significantly improve the chances of sows returning to estrus quickly and successfully, leading to better reproductive performance and overall herd health.
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