What does the sow refuse to breastfeed?

Under normal circumstances, sows are able to feed their piglets promptly. However, in practice, some sows may refuse to nurse, which can be a major concern for farmers. If this happens, what should you do? There are generally four main reasons behind a sow’s refusal to breastfeed. First, it could be due to the inexperience of a first-time sow. When she is nursing for the first time, she might feel scared or overwhelmed by the piglets’ movements and struggle to stand still, leading her to avoid feeding. In such cases, patience is key. Gently guide the sow into a lying position, and encourage her by gently licking her sides. Provide a calm environment where the piglets don’t fight for teats. Repeating this process several times can help the sow get used to nursing. Additionally, massaging the sow’s udder during late pregnancy can improve milk production and make her more comfortable. Second, competition among piglets for teats or overly long and sharp canine teeth can cause discomfort to the sow. This may lead her to reject nursing. To prevent this, monitor the piglets closely and ensure they don’t push or bite each other. Trimming the sharp canines with scissors can also reduce irritation and encourage the sow to accept nursing. Third, if the sow has injured teats or suffers from mastitis, she may experience pain when the piglets suckle. This often results in the sow crying out or even biting the piglet. In such cases, remove the piglets immediately and consider using another sow or artificial feeding. Apply a 10% ointment to the affected area and administer sulfa drugs as needed. Delaying nursing until the sow recovers is essential for her health. Lastly, poor nutrition can lead to low milk production, making the sow uncomfortable or uninterested in nursing. Piglets may constantly tug at the teats, causing the sow to roll over and push the teat under her body. The best solution is to improve the sow’s diet by providing lactation-specific feeds and supplements like prolactin. Foods such as soy milk, millet porridge, cooked tire soup, and small fish or shrimp can help boost milk supply. Herbal remedies like wood pass, Vaccaria, fennel, Atractylodes, Angelica, Astragalus, and Codonopsis (25 grams each) can be boiled and mixed with porridge to further support milk production. By addressing these issues early and providing proper care, farmers can significantly improve the chances of successful nursing and better piglet survival.

Soybean Lecithin

Soybean lecithin is a natural substance that is derived from soybeans. It is a type of phospholipid, which is a molecule that is composed of two fatty acids, a phosphate group, and a nitrogen-containing base.

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