Any of these tools that inhibit the ability of the stockperson to effectively monitor standing responses and other signs of estrus, or interfere with the timing or duration of exposure, should be closely evaluated. Obviously, individual boar behavior and some barn designs limit utilization of the boar cart, tether or related devices.
Allowing nose-to-nose contact is essential. If heat-check boars don't smell, are reluctant or have low libido, there are options. They may be sprayed with aerosol boar odor or wiped with a stink stick. PVC pipe, recharged once or twice daily with saliva, preputial fluids and a small amount of urine from other boars.
Another option would be to have brief fenceline contact with a rival boar, which might create the necessary aggression and subsequent chomping and saliva production. Stockpersons must exercise caution and utilize only trustworthy boars for this activity.
For group housing situations, competition for the boar's attention can create struggles in heat detection. First, young boars or low-libido boars can become overwhelmed by sows and lose ambition to seek out estrus sows.
These boars may even be ruined by continual exposure to overly aggressive sows. To ensure coverage, a good guideline for heat checking group-housed females is a maximum female-to-boar ratio. Second, in large sow groups, it becomes difficult for the stockperson to follow the boar and observe estrus sows that may be obscured by other non-cycling sows. Effective methods of heat detection for group-housed sows involve monitoring the use of vasectomized boars working within the pen.
Females should receive 15 minutes of boar exposure per heat detection period. Should the sow reach the set threshold of visits in a day, automated marking of the potential estrus sow can occur at the boar station or an electronic feeding station. One method to reduce the occurrence of silent heat and increase strong behavioral presence of estrus is a practice referred to as a surprise effect.
Popular in northern Europe, the concept involves continuous, hour fenceline exposure to boars the first three days postweaning Thursday — Saturday. Day 4 Sunday would have no contact no sight, sound, smell. On ensuing days, normal heat check and breeding activities are conducted twice daily.
As an advocate of the surprise effect scheme, strong behavioral responses appear and a higher percentage of sows return to estrus within seven days postweaning. The percentage exhibiting standing heat on Day 5 is phenomenal, and an associated subsequent litter size advantage may be realized due to greater ovulation. Proper stimulation by the stockperson in preparation for artificial insemination should simulate the practices of the boar See Figure 1 on page While ideal boar exposure would involve physical contact where the boar is allowed to nudge, sniff and fully stimulate the female, consideration of time constraints and worker safety concerns has led to fenceline contact, which suffices.
With nose-to-nose fenceline boar contact, the stockperson should begin stimulation by applying pressure to the gilt's side and nudging a knee in the flank or aggressively rubbing the flank and udder. The rubbing of the udder and flank simulates the nosing actions of the boar.
Progress to slight back pressure and press your fist to the vulval area. To test the quality of the standing response, rub the flank and udder with one hand and push down firmly or bounce on the back with the other as if the weight of the boar were upon her. The standing response may also be elicited by actually sitting astride her See Heat Detection poster, page 12, for visual aids to illustrate these steps. There are a variety of practices available in the industry to aid heat detection in the absence of the boar.
Aerosol pheromones, stink sticks and hands-free AI tools like breeding saddles and belts have all met with relative success when properly implemented. However, one cannot omit the vital caretaker element and management of boar presence. Studies show that the more boar-related stimuli provided by the stockperson, the greater the female response. Applying back pressure with boar presence yields twice as many sows in standing heat as back pressure alone.
Heat detection cannot be rushed. The breeder must dedicate time for heat detection with no other distractions or agenda items in mind. Heat detection should not be the last task of the day standing between the stockperson and going home.
Positive caretaker-sow interactions increase reproductive success. Handle boars, sows and gilts gently, calmly and quietly. This is productive for both the pig and stockperson. Not every stockperson is adept at working in the breeding area. The good breeder is keen to understanding normal behavior vs. Many systems work for heat detection, dependent on the barn arrangement, proximity of boar and female housing, physiological age and estrous history of the female, boar training, stockmanship skills and attitude.
Accurate monitoring and recording is critical, as is having patience and observation skills. A continual review of the original mating process is necessary. Maintaining a consistent breeding schedule, farrowing rate and number weaned results in stable pig flow, improved health and uniformity downstream and financial returns throughout the system. My Landrace and Large white gilts are seven months old Gilt are yet in heat?
What can be done or which way forward? Could be many, many, reasons. Start Here! These signs will give you a heads up that she will be fertile in just a few days and you better have everything ready and on hand for insemination: Reddening and swelling of the vulva due to increased estrogen levels Increased vocalization and restlessness, aggressiveness, and fiestiness!
If there are multiple sows and gilts in with each other, you may see them trying to mount each other Increased interest in males whether they be pig or human — this is the time that my husband tries to stay away from Big Marie as she gets particularly fiesty around him! Clear sticky discharge that drips from the vulva and stickiness will increase over the course of proestrus period. Can have reduced appetite and may go off feed.
Note her vulva is swollen and "plump" with slight reddening and a sticky discharge. Some other indicators of standing heat include: The swelling of the vulva and discharge has peaked and reduced She will be less antsy, restless, and all around calmer.
Reflex test. But, her ears will twitch and be in a more alerted position. Big Marie in standing heat. Knowing both non-heat behavior and heat behavior makes it easier to identify when a female is coming into heat and when they reach standing heat. In the days prior to standing heat the female may or may not present physical signals that heat is coming.
Vulvas of pigs nearing heat may be swollen, red, and discharge mucus. Applying pressure to the back of the animal to see if she will stand rigidly is the most common manner to check for standing heat. Her tail may also move to expose her vulva. Having an active, mature boar to help with heat checking is the best way to determine standing heat, but is not possible at every farm, especially when Artificial Insemination AI is practiced. Boar exposure brings out natural reactions that managers alone cannot reproduce.
A common reason for failure is breeding females before they are in a true standing heat. Take notes on each sow as they begin to exhibit signs of heat and check them every 12 hours until true standing heat is attained. Standing heat can last two days and breeding can occur every 12 hours during this time. With proper heat detection two or three matings are possible.
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