Sows reduce postpartum food and milk countermeasures

Sows reduce postpartum food and milk countermeasures

The sow from Pingming Township, Donghai County, had a normal farrowing process. She was eating well initially but recently reduced her feed intake by about 50%. Over the past four days, she has not produced enough milk for her litter of 16 piglets. The sow’s body temperature remained normal after giving birth, and no other abnormalities were observed. The owner is concerned about what might be causing this situation. From the description, it seems unlikely that an infectious disease is responsible for the sow’s reduced appetite and low milk production. More likely, the issue stems from nutritional imbalances or physical exhaustion. Postpartum sows often experience a drop in feed intake due to several factors. Poor nutrition during pregnancy, an over-reliance on concentrated feeds post-farrowing, and a lack of green, juicy feed and fiber can all contribute to poor appetite. Additionally, excessive fatigue after farrowing or complications such as retained placenta or stillbirths may also lead to reduced feeding behavior. To prevent these issues, it's important to ensure that pregnant sows receive balanced, nutritious, and easily digestible feed without being overfed with fat. A proper mix of roughage with at least 8-12% crude fiber should be maintained. In the last 30 days before farrowing, green feed should be increased, and attention should be paid to the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, salt content, and vitamin levels in the diet. High-producing sows benefit greatly from diets rich in calcium, phosphorus, and vitamins to support their recovery after farrowing. In the five days leading up to farrowing, concentrate feed should be gradually reduced, and more green feed should be offered. Encouraging exercise before farrowing can help improve the sow’s overall health and aid in postpartum recovery. After giving birth, sows should be given small amounts of concentrate feed for the first 1-3 days, with gradual increases afterward. Adding electrolytes to drinking water can also help. It's essential to monitor for signs of postpartum fatigue and take steps to prevent the sow from swallowing any afterbirth materials. For treatment, if the problem is due to excessive concentrate feed, a mixture of 250g rice wine, 200g brown sugar, and 100g ginger can be given. If calcium or phosphorus deficiency is suspected, calcium gluconate (5g three times daily) or bone powder (30g twice daily) can be administered. Intravenous calcium gluconate (300ml of 10%) may also be used once daily for 3-5 days. To improve general weakness, intravenous glucose, vitamin C, ATP, and coenzyme A can be administered, along with vitamin B1 injections. To stimulate appetite, a mixture of 100g yeast powder, 20g artificial salt, and 20g Jianqu in 1.5kg of water can be given via a stomach tube once daily every 2-3 days. Low milk production is often caused by malnutrition, monotonous feed, or insufficient postpartum nutrition. Early mating can also affect breast development, while older sows may have reduced mammary function. To address this, adjusting the diet with more green and succulent feed is essential. Traditional Chinese herbs like Astragalus membranaceus and Wang Fulao can be gavaged daily for 3-5 days. After delivery, seaweed soaked in water with animal fat can be prepared and fed once daily for a week. If milk production is still low, subcutaneous injections of prolactin (500-1000 IU) can be given twice. A decoction of angelica root, Tongmu, and willow bark mixed with millet porridge may also help. When a sow gives birth to 16 or more piglets, and milk supply is insufficient, foster care and improved nutrition are necessary. A high-energy, high-protein diet including corn, soybean meal, fish meal, bran, and animal fat can be used. Fresh quail meat cut into small pieces can be boiled and mixed with brown sugar to feed the piglets 1-2 times daily.

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