Causes and control of sow losses.
Pigs weaned/sow/year increases after the first litter to a maximum at about the third litter, after which it declines such that the sixth litter size is the same as the first, with a gradual decline thereafter. The cost of producing a weaned pig decreases with increasing numbers of litters weaned up to the third, then gradually increases. Average sow culling rates on commercial farms are 24-40% annually. The average time from weaning of pigs to culling of sows is 50-60 days. Sow mortality ranges between 2% and 14%, with a 6-8% average.
D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000191:economics; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D007774:Lactation; D008098:Litter Size; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000662:veterinary; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal; D013552:Swine / Q000502:physiology*; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000191:economics / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality* / Q000517:prevention & control