Body score condition of sows and the thin sow syndrome as health problems on commercial farms
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Date
2019-10Author
Bojkovski, Jovan
Prodanov-Radulović, Jasna
Živkov-Baloš, Milica
Prodanović, Radiša
Nedić, Sreten
Arsić, Sveta
Vujanac, Ivan
Dobrosavljević, Ivan
Đedović, Suzana
Relić, Renata
Ostojić-Andrić, Dušica
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In this article we presented body score condition of sows and
thin sow syndrome. In modern pig farming more and more attention is paid to body
condition score. On most commercial farms feeding of gilts and sows is based on
body condition. The goal is that sow does not gain or lose too much of a body
weight between farrowing and insemination. Maintenance of body weight
(condition) of sows within the optimum value (3 points in the time of farrowing
and 2.5 during mating) over their lifetime can result in optimal reproductive results.
In contrast, inadequate control of condition of the sow may lead to difficulty in
farrowing and occurrence of health problems. The syndrome of thin sows is a
disease of complex etiology. In 75% of cases, the main causes are qualitative and
quantitative malnutrition, also unfavorable housing conditions for sows. Less
frequently, the syndrome can be caused by presence of endoparasite
Hyostrongylusrubidus. In the presenting article during a year period, the
occurrence of weight loss in sows during lactation at one commercial farm was
observed. The health status of lactating sows and piglets were also registered. The
loss of body weight was mostly detected in sows in the second lactation.
Corrections in the feeding technology and better conditions for sows during
lactation period are crucial for managing the thin sow problem on the commercial
farm.