Principles:

For each batch: The day after weaning – for example weaning Thursday, move gilts on a Friday to heat paddock

Each batch gilts are moved from the isolation area at 100-110 kg live-weight

They are transported via a truck for a minimum of 15 minutes.  It is essential to create the “transport” stress which should initiate oestrus in 4-10 days post-transfer.

How many gilts should be moved each batch?  (the yellow boxes can be customised to fit your farm)

Review your culling programme that is already being instigated to determine the final number of gilts to be moved into the breeding paddock

They are placed in the heat detection paddock together with a V boar.

As the individual gilts cycle they should be marked with a dot of the week colour (red, blue or green) and moved into their future respective “oestrus cycling” paddock – either red, blue or green.

Gilts which fail to demonstrate any oestrus by 25 days post-transfer must be culled.

 

Mating

Ideal gilts should be mated on their 3^rd oestrus cycle.  This helps to maximize their litter size.

However, meeting  batching breeding requirements is always the priority, thus if required mate a gilt on her 2^nd oestrus and note her number – she may require culling after weaning. 

If the breeding requirements are going to be meet: gilts can be retained until their 4^th oestrus.  Note all 4^th oestrus gilts must be mated.

 

This system provides 9 weeks of cycling gilts to fill each batch breeding requirements