Pig/Swine Management Guide

1. Getting Started with Pig Management

Setting Up Your Swine Operation

FarmSentry helps you manage breeding stock, farrowing, nursery, grower, and finisher phases. Start by setting up your operation:

1. Go to Dashboard and click "Add Farm"
2. Enter your farm name and location
3. Specify operation type: Farrow-to-Finish, Farrow-to-Wean, or Feeder Pig Finishing
4. Set your preferred units (pounds/kilograms)
5. Add current herd size and production goals
6. Save your farm profile

Creating Herds

Organize your pigs by production stage:

1. Navigate to your farm dashboard
2. Click "Manage Herds"
3. Create herds for different groups:
   • Breeding Stock: Sows and boars
   • Gestating Sows: Bred females
   • Lactating Sows: Sows with piglets
   • Nursery Pigs: Weaned to ~50 lbs
   • Grower Pigs: 50-120 lbs
   • Finisher Pigs: 120 lbs to market
4. Select species: Pig
5. Save each herd

Adding Animals

1. Go to "Animals" section
2. Click "Add Animal"
3. Enter tag ID (ear tag or RFID)
4. Select herd
5. Choose sex (male/female)
6. Add date of birth
7. Enter breed (Yorkshire, Landrace, Duroc, Hampshire, etc.)
8. Set status: Active
9. For breeding stock, add parity number (sows) or collection count (boars)
10. Save the animal

2. Farrowing Events & Piglet Survivability

Why Farrowing Records Matter

Farrowing performance is the foundation of swine profitability. Recording piglet-by-piglet details helps you identify high-performing sows, manage birth weight risks, and reduce pre-weaning mortality.

Target Farrowing Performance

• Total born alive: 12-14 piglets per litter (modern genetics)
• Stillborn rate: Under 5% (target under 3%)
• Pre-weaning mortality: Under 10% (target 6-8%)
• Average birth weight: 1.3-1.5 kg (2.9-3.3 lbs)
• Gestation length: 114 days (range 112-116 days)

Birth Weight Risk Assessment

Piglet birth weight is the #1 predictor of survival:

• Critical risk (<0.8 kg): 40-60% mortality - requires intensive care
• High risk (0.8-1.2 kg): 20-30% mortality - needs assistance nursing
• Moderate risk (1.2-1.4 kg): 10-15% mortality - monitor closely
• Optimal (≥1.4 kg): 5-8% mortality - normal vigor

Farrowing Ease Classification

• Unassisted: Sow farrows completely on her own
• Assisted: Minor intervention - repositioning piglets, breaking sac
• Difficult: Significant intervention - pulling piglets, oxytocin injection

How to Record Farrowing

1. Navigate to the Activities page from your dashboard
2. Click the "Animal Activities" button
3. Select "Pig" from the species selector (if you have multiple species)
4. Click the "Farrowing Event" tool button
5. Select the sow that farrowed
6. Enter farrowing date
7. If breeding date recorded, system calculates gestation length
8. Select the boar (sire) if known
9. Record litter summary:
   • Total born: All piglets
   • Live born: Alive at birth
   • Stillborn: Dead at birth
   • Mummified: Dead fetuses (if any)
10. For each piglet, record:
    • Birth order: Auto-numbered 1, 2, 3...
    • Sex: Male/Female
    • Birth weight (kg): Critical for survival prediction
    • Vigor score: Strong/Moderate/Weak
    • Survival status: Alive/Stillborn/Died within 24h/Died pre-weaning
    • Colostrum received: Yes/No (critical within 4 hours)
    • Iron injection given: Yes/No (prevents anemia)
11. Optional processing at birth:
    • Tail docked: Yes/No
    • Teeth clipped: Yes/No
    • Castrated: Yes/No (males)
12. Assess farrowing ease (unassisted/assisted/difficult)
13. Record farrowing duration (minutes) if known
14. Check sow condition post-farrowing
15. Note equipment used:
    • Farrowing crate used: Yes/No
    • Heat lamp used: Yes/No (prevents chilling)
16. Add notes about complications or unusual events
17. Save the farrowing record

Piglet Survival Strategies

• Colostrum intake: All piglets must consume colostrum within first 4 hours
• Temperature control: Heat lamps for piglets, zone heating in farrowing rooms
• Cross-fostering: Move small piglets to sows with fewer, smaller litters
• Split nursing: For large litters, temporarily remove half to ensure all piglets nurse
• Iron supplementation: 200 mg iron injection at 2-3 days prevents anemia
• Monitoring: Check litters every 4-6 hours for first 48 hours

3. Wean-to-Estrus Interval (WEI) Tracking

Why WEI Matters

Wean-to-estrus interval directly impacts sow productivity. Shorter, more consistent intervals mean more litters per sow per year and better reproductive efficiency.

Target WEI Performance

• Optimal WEI: 4-7 days (85-95% of sows)
• Acceptable WEI: 7-10 days (acceptable for some sows)
• Concerning WEI: Over 10 days (investigate nutrition, body condition, health)
• Target lactation length: 21 days (3 weeks)

Factors Affecting WEI

• Body condition at weaning: Thin sows (BCS <2.5) have delayed estrus
• Lactation length: Shorter lactations (<21 days) increase WEI
• Parity: First-litter sows often have longer WEI (7-10 days)
• Season: Heat stress extends WEI
• Feed intake during lactation: Poor intake delays return to estrus

Heat Detection Methods

• Boar exposure: Daily exposure to mature boar - most effective method
• Standing reflex test: Apply back pressure - sow stands rigid when in heat
• Mounting behavior: Sows mount each other
• Visual signs: Swollen vulva, restlessness, vocalizing

How to Record Wean-to-Estrus

1. Navigate to the Activities page from your dashboard
2. Click the "Animal Activities" button
3. Select "Pig" from the species selector (if you have multiple species)
4. Click the "Wean to Estrus" tool button
5. Select the sow
6. Enter weaning date
7. Record pigs weaned (litter size at weaning)
8. Enter lactation length (days from farrowing to weaning)
9. When heat detected, record:
   • Estrus detection date
   • Heat detection method (boar exposure/mounting/standing reflex/visual)
10. The system automatically calculates:
    • WEI days (weaning to estrus interval)
    • WEI status (optimal/acceptable/concerning)
11. If bred, enter breeding date
12. System calculates expected farrowing date (114 days from breeding)
13. Add notes about body condition or health concerns
14. Save the record

Improving WEI Performance

• Maximize lactation feed intake: Ad-lib feeding, multiple daily meals
• Body condition management: Target BCS 3.0-3.5 at weaning
• Consistent boar exposure: Daily contact post-weaning
• Environmental comfort: Cooling in summer, proper ventilation
• Wean at 21+ days: Avoid early weaning if possible

4. Boar Semen Evaluation & Fertility

Why Test Boar Semen?

Boar fertility determines AI success rates and litter sizes. Regular semen evaluation ensures you're using only high-quality doses and identifies subfertile boars before they impact herd productivity.

Semen Quality Standards

• Motility: Minimum 70% progressive motility (80%+ is excellent)
• Normal morphology: Minimum 70% normal sperm (maximum 30% abnormal)
• Concentration: 200-300 million sperm per mL
• Volume: 150-250 mL per collection
• Semen quality score: (Motility + Normal morphology) ÷ 2

AI Dose Calculation

Standard AI dose contains 3 billion motile sperm. The system calculates doses per collection:

Semen Storage Duration

• Day 0-3: Optimal fertility (80-85% conception)
• Day 4-5: Good fertility (70-75% conception)
• Day 6-7: Declining fertility (60-65% conception)
• Over 7 days: Not recommended (below 50% conception)

How to Record Boar Semen Evaluation

1. Navigate to the Activities page from your dashboard
2. Click the "Animal Activities" button
3. Select "Pig" from the species selector (if you have multiple species)
4. Click the "Boar Semen Evaluation" tool button
5. Select the boar
6. Enter collection date
7. Record semen characteristics:
   • Volume (mL): Total ejaculate volume
   • Concentration (million/mL): Sperm count per mL
   • Motility (%): Progressive motile sperm
   • Morphology normal (%): Normal-shaped sperm
8. The system automatically computes:
   • Semen quality score: (Motility + Morphology) ÷ 2
   • Usable for AI: Yes if motility ≥70% AND morphology ≥70%
   • AI doses produced: Based on 3 billion sperm per dose
9. Enter storage duration (days semen will be stored)
10. Add notes about semen appearance or collection issues
11. Save the evaluation

Boar Management

• Collection frequency: 2 times per week for mature boars
• Boar age: 8-10 months minimum for first use, peak fertility 12-24 months
• Temperature control: Store semen at 16-18°C (61-64°F)
• Rotation: Use oldest semen first (within 5 days)
• Testing frequency: Evaluate every collection or weekly minimum

5. Feed Conversion Efficiency (FCR)

Why FCR Matters

Feed represents 60-70% of total pig production costs. Optimizing feed conversion ratio (FCR) directly improves profitability. Even a 0.1 improvement in FCR can save $2-5 per pig.

Target FCR by Phase

• Nursery (early): FCR 1.3 or better (weaning to 25 lbs)
• Nursery (late): FCR 1.5 or better (25-50 lbs)
• Grower: FCR 2.0 or better (50-120 lbs)
• Finisher: FCR 2.5 or better (120 lbs to market)
• Overall (wean to finish): FCR 2.5-2.8

FCR Calculation

Feed conversion ratio measures feed efficiency:

Average Daily Gain (ADG) Targets

• Nursery: 0.3-0.4 kg/day (0.66-0.88 lbs/day)
• Grower: 0.7-0.8 kg/day (1.54-1.76 lbs/day)
• Finisher: 0.9-1.0 kg/day (1.98-2.2 lbs/day)
• Overall: 0.7-0.8 kg/day (1.54-1.76 lbs/day) wean to finish

How to Record Feed Conversion

1. Navigate to the Activities page from your dashboard
2. Click the "Animal Activities" button
3. Select "Pig" from the species selector (if you have multiple species)
4. Click the "Feed Conversion" tool button
5. Select the pig group (batch) being tracked
6. Enter batch dates:
   • Start date: When batch entered phase
   • End date: When batch exited phase (must be ≥ start date)
7. Select growth phase (nursery/grower/finisher)
8. Record weights:
   • Starting weight (kg): Average weight at start
   • Ending weight (kg): Average weight at end
9. Enter total feed consumed (kg) for the batch
10. Record mortality count (pigs that died during period)
11. The system automatically calculates:
    • Weight gained: Ending weight - Starting weight
    • Days on feed: End date - Start date
    • FCR: Feed consumed ÷ Weight gained
    • ADG (kg/day): Weight gained ÷ Days on feed
12. Add notes about feed type or health issues
13. Save the feed conversion record

Factors Affecting FCR

• Genetics: Modern breeds achieve FCR 2.5-2.6 vs. 3.0+ for traditional breeds
• Feed quality: Digestibility and energy density
• Health status: Disease increases FCR by 0.2-0.5 points
• Temperature: Heat or cold stress reduces efficiency
• Stocking density: Overcrowding increases FCR
• Sex: Barrows have 0.1-0.2 higher FCR than gilts

6. Growth Rate & Market Readiness

Why Track Individual Growth?

Monitoring individual pig growth helps identify slow gainers, predict market dates, and select superior genetics for breeding stock.

Market Weight Targets

• Target market weight: 120 kg (265 lbs)
• Acceptable range: 110-130 kg (242-286 lbs)
• Light weight penalty: Below 110 kg
• Heavy weight penalty: Above 140 kg (excess fat)

Performance Classification

Based on ADG compared to phase targets:

• Excellent: ADG ≥ 120% of target (top 10-15% of pigs)
• Good: ADG ≥ 105% of target (above average)
• Average: ADG ≥ 95% of target (acceptable performance)
• Below average: ADG ≥ 80% of target (needs attention)
• Poor: ADG < 80% of target (investigate or cull)

How to Record Growth Rate

1. Navigate to the Activities page from your dashboard
2. Click the "Animal Activities" button
3. Select "Pig" from the species selector (if you have multiple species)
4. Click the "Growth Rate" tool button
5. Select the pig being weighed
6. Enter measurement date
7. Record current weight (kg)
8. Enter age in days
9. Select growth phase (nursery/grower/finisher)
10. If tracking growth rate, enter average daily gain (kg/day)
11. The system automatically computes:
    • Performance flag: Excellent/Good/Average/Below average/Poor (if ADG provided)
    • Market ready: Yes if weight ≥ 120 kg
12. Optionally set target market weight (default 120 kg)
13. Add notes about health or condition
14. Save the growth record

Days to Market Calculation

If you know current weight and ADG, estimate days to market weight:

Slow Gainer Management

• Identify early: Pigs 15-20% below group average weight
• Check health: Respiratory disease, enteric disease, lameness
• Nutrition: May need special feeding or separate pen
• Genetics: Don't use slow gainers for breeding stock
• Economics: Cull if treatment costs exceed pig value

7. Gilt Selection for Breeding

Why Select Gilts Carefully?

Replacement gilts determine future herd productivity. Poor gilt selection leads to reduced litter sizes, structural problems, and early culling. Target 40-50% annual sow replacement rate.

Selection Criteria

• Age: 220-240 days optimal (7-8 months)
• Weight: 130-150 kg (286-330 lbs)
• Body condition score: 3.0-3.5 (moderate flesh)
• Teat count: Minimum 12 functional teats (14 preferred)
• Structural soundness: Strong legs, good feet, no lameness
• Underline quality: Evenly spaced teats, no inverted teats
• Genetics: Select from high-performing sows (litter size, FCR, ADG)

Teat Evaluation

Teat count and quality predict nursing ability:

• Minimum: 12 functional teats
• Preferred: 14+ functional teats for large litters
• Disqualifications: Inverted teats, damaged teats, uneven spacing
• Positioning: Front teats are most productive

How to Record Gilt Selection

1. Navigate to the Activities page from your dashboard
2. Click the "Animal Activities" button
3. Select "Pig" from the species selector (if you have multiple species)
4. Click the "Gilt Selection" tool button
5. Select the gilt being evaluated
6. Enter selection date
7. Record physical measurements:
   • Age (days): Current age
   • Weight (kg): Current weight
   • Body condition score: 1-5 scale (target 3.0-3.5)
8. Evaluate structure:
   • Structural soundness: Pass/Fail
   • Leg structure: Excellent/Good/Fair/Poor
9. Count and assess teats:
   • Teat count: Total functional teats (10-16)
   • Teat count pass: Yes if ≥12 teats
   • Underline quality: Excellent/Good/Fair/Poor
10. Add notes about genetics, behavior, or special traits
11. Save the gilt selection record

Gilt Development Program

• Nutrition: Gradual transition from grower to sow diet
• Boar exposure: Daily exposure starting at 160-180 days
• First breeding: Second or third heat cycle (not first heat)
• Target breeding age: 220-240 days, 130-150 kg
• Acclimation: 45-60 days in herd before breeding
• Health: Vaccinations, parasite control, quarantine

8. Piglet Processing Procedures

Why Process Piglets?

Early piglet processing prevents health problems, improves welfare, and ensures proper identification. Timing and technique are critical for minimizing stress and mortality.

Standard Processing Procedures

• Iron injection: 200 mg at 2-3 days (prevents anemia)
• Ear notching/tagging: Permanent identification at 1-7 days
• Tail docking: 1-3 days (prevents tail biting)
• Teeth clipping: Day 1 (reduces facial scratches on sows)
• Castration: 3-7 days for males not kept as boars
• Vaccinations: Optional based on disease pressure

Processing Timing

• Day 1-2: Ear notching, teeth clipping (if done)
• Day 2-3: Iron injection, tail docking
• Day 3-7: Castration (earlier = less stress)
• Day 14-21: Weaning vaccinations (optional)

How to Record Piglet Processing

1. Navigate to the Activities page from your dashboard
2. Click the "Animal Activities" button
3. Select "Pig" from the species selector (if you have multiple species)
4. Click the "Piglet Processing" tool button
5. Enter processing date
6. Select piglets to process (can select multiple)
7. For each piglet, record procedures performed:
   • Procedure type: Iron injection/Ear tag/Tail dock/Teeth clip/Castration/Vaccination
   • Procedure date: When performed
   • Product/method: Product name or technique used
   • Complications: Any issues encountered
8. Track which piglets received each procedure
9. Add notes about unusual cases or reactions
10. Save the processing record

Iron Injection Details

• Dosage: 200 mg iron dextran
• Timing: 2-3 days of age
• Location: Intramuscular in ham or neck
• Purpose: Prevents iron-deficiency anemia (critical - sow milk is low in iron)

Castration Considerations

• Age: 3-7 days optimal (less stress, faster healing)
• Method: Surgical with clean technique
• Pain control: Optional local anesthetic or NSAIDs
• Purpose: Prevents boar taint in meat, reduces aggression
• Alternatives: Immunocastration (vaccination) or raising intact males

Processing Best Practices

• Minimize handling: Process multiple procedures in one session
• Clean equipment: Disinfect tools between litters
• Warm environment: Avoid chilling piglets during processing
• Return to sow quickly: Minimize separation time
• Monitor for complications: Check for bleeding, infection, lameness

9. Sow Body Condition Scoring

Why BCS Matters for Sows

Sow body condition directly impacts reproductive performance, longevity, and litter size. Thin sows have delayed estrus and smaller litters. Over-conditioned sows have more stillbirths and farrowing problems.

BCS Scale (1-5)

• BCS 1 (Very thin): Backbone and ribs very prominent, no fat cover
• BCS 2 (Thin): Backbone and ribs easily felt, minimal fat
• BCS 3 (Ideal): Backbone felt with pressure, ribs covered, moderate fat
• BCS 4 (Fat): Backbone hard to feel, thick fat layer
• BCS 5 (Obese): Cannot feel backbone, excessive fat, mobility issues

Target BCS by Stage

• Weaning: BCS 2.5-3.0 (some loss during lactation is normal)
• Breeding: BCS 2.5-3.0 (optimal fertility)
• Early gestation: BCS 2.5-3.0 (building reserves)
• Late gestation: BCS 3.0-3.5 (prepare for lactation)
• Lactation: BCS 3.0-3.5 (will lose 0.5-1.0 point)

How to Record Sow Body Condition

1. Navigate to the Activities page from your dashboard
2. Click the "Animal Activities" button
3. Select "Pig" from the species selector (if you have multiple species)
4. Click the "Sow Body Condition" tool button
5. Enter assessment date
6. Specify number of sows to assess (can score multiple sows at once)
7. For each sow, record:
   • Sow ID: Select from list
   • Reproductive stage: Weaning/Breeding/Early gestation/Late gestation/Lactation
   • Current BCS: 1.0-5.0 (0.5 increments)
   • Target BCS: Based on reproductive stage
   • Feed adjustment needed: Yes if outside target range
8. System provides feeding recommendations based on BCS vs. target
9. Add notes about overall herd condition
10. Save the assessment

Feeding Adjustments by BCS

• Thin sows (BCS <2.5 at weaning): Increase feed by 0.5-1.0 kg/day
• Optimal BCS (2.5-3.5): Maintain current feeding program
• Over-conditioned (BCS >3.5 at breeding): Reduce feed by 0.5 kg/day
• Lactation loss: Expect BCS loss of 0.5-1.0 point - this is normal

BCS and Reproductive Performance

• BCS <2.0 at weaning: Extended WEI (7-14 days), reduced litter size
• BCS 2.5-3.0 at breeding: Optimal conception rates (85-90%)
• BCS >4.0 at farrowing: Increased stillbirths, dystocia, reduced feed intake
• Excessive lactation loss: BCS drop >1.5 points indicates health or nutrition issues

Assessment Schedule

• Weaning: Score all sows at weaning to plan feeding
• Breeding: Verify sows are in target BCS range
• Late gestation: Check 2 weeks before farrowing
• Mid-lactation: Optional check at 10-14 days
• Problem sows: Score weekly if outside target range

10. Best Practices & Seasonal Management

Record Activities Consistently

• Record all farrowing events within 24 hours - piglet details are critical
• Weigh pigs at consistent intervals for accurate FCR and ADG tracking
• Score sow body condition at every weaning - don't skip this step
• Evaluate boar semen weekly or at every collection
• Take photos of problem cases for veterinary review
• Use consistent tag IDs that match physical ear tags/notches

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Pigs weaned per sow per year: Target 25-30 (2.4-2.5 litters × 11-12 weaned/litter)
• Pre-weaning mortality: Under 10% (target 6-8%)
• Wean-to-estrus interval: 85%+ sows in heat within 7 days
• Farrowing rate: 85-90% of bred sows farrow
• Total born alive: 12-14 piglets per litter
• Overall FCR (wean to finish): 2.5-2.8
• ADG (nursery to finish): 0.7-0.8 kg/day
• Sow body condition at weaning: 85%+ sows BCS 2.5-3.5

Genetic Selection Priorities

• Sow selection: Litter size (12+ born alive), weaning performance, longevity
• Boar selection: Semen quality, growth rate, lean gain, FCR
• Cull decisions: Remove sows with <10 pigs born alive, repeat farrow problems, chronic health issues
• Replacement rate: Target 40-50% annual replacement for optimal productivity

Seasonal Challenges

Production Flow Planning

• Batch farrowing: Group farrowings in 1-week batches for efficient management
• Breeding groups: Breed sows in cohorts for synchronized weaning
• All-in/all-out: Fill and empty rooms completely to break disease cycles
• Downtime: 3-7 days cleaning between groups
• Gilt entry: Bring in replacement gilts 60 days before first breeding

Getting Help

If you need assistance with FarmSentry for pig management:

• Check the Help Center for additional guides on other species and activities
• Review the Animal Activities Guide for feeding, health treatment, vaccination, and breeding records
• Explore species-specific guides for sheep, cattle, goats, and poultry
• Use the search function in your dashboard to quickly find animals, herds, or activities