Impact of gilts on the finishing herd
When gilts are brought into the breeding herd, we have grown to accept the need to isolate and then acclimatise them. Note this applies to homebred as well as purchased gilts.
We isolate the gilts to protect the unit from any pathogens which may have been brought in
We acclimatise the gilts to infect the gilt with the unit’s pathogens.
But why?
What is the impact of the failure to properly acclimatise our gilts?
· Breeding herd
Failure to farrow
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The classic pathogens would be: Parvovirus, Enterovirus, Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus and Leptospira. All of these pathogens can result in an empty farrowing place; 11*80 = 880 kg dead-weight not sold. Note the impact could be more if the farm then fails to replace the empty weaning place with new gilts. |
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Reduction in live-born
All of these pathogens (and others) can kill or weaken foetuses; decreasing the total born alive. The lower total born alive can reduce the numbers weaned per batch. Each pig not sold is another 80 kg dead-weight not sold!
· Farrowing herd
Congenital tremor
Congenital tremor is a classic indication of poor acclimatisation of the gilt. Piglets with congenital tremor have a greatly increased risk of dying prematurely through lack of colostrum uptake
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Pre-weaning diarrhoea Gilts will classically have increased pre-weaning diarrhoea in their offspring. Often associated with Escherichia coli or Rotavirus infections. For each day of diarrhoea estimate an increase of 5 days to finish. Other pre-weaning conditions Farrowing house Greasy pig disease and meningitis are more common in gilts poorly acclimatised. Again this is associated with poor colostrum intake. Any piglet which is sick before weaning tends to be smaller and weaker at weaning, increasing the post-weaning mortality and decreasing post-weaning growth. |
· Wean to finish herd
Once the piglets are weaned, surely there will be minimal impact on who was mum?
No
There are significant differences between the performance of gilt and sow litters
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If the finishing feed costs are £232 is used we can produce the follwing graphic
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Increase in costs associated with a change in gilts per batch |
Is this is disease issue or a reflection of pigflow parity issues? |
