Page 128 - Agriculture Form Two

Agriculture for Secondary Schools

(b) Adjust feeds to match growth rates.
(c) Provide enough space to allow maintenance of hygiene.
(d) Keep the feeding area clean and provide fresh feed and water daily to
promote health.
(e) Reduce stress by maintaining a calm environment.
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Management of lactating sows
Good management of lactating sows should start a week before farrowing (giving
birth in pigs). One week before farrowing, reduce feeding to approximately one-
half of the sow ration. Feed the sow with laxative feeds such as brans and molasses
two days before giving birth to prevent constipation. One week before farrowing,
the sow should be dewormed to kill the worms, and broad-spectrum de-wormers
should be used to control both external and internal parasites. Proper feeding of
sows is essential, as poorly fed sows may eat their piglets after farrowing.
For the sow to produce sufficient milk for the piglets, it should be adequately fed,
and its diet must be balanced with all nutrients. On the farrowing day, provide a
sow with plenty of water and a small amount (about 0.25kg) of bran, molasses,
or other laxative feeds. On the farrowing day, feed the sow 0.5kg of bran or
molasses, and in the following days, increase the feeds by 1 kg of feed per day
until the required amount of feed is attained.

Feed each sow with a minimum of 3kg feed per day to satisfy its body requirements,
and for each piglet, add 1/3 kg of feed (Table 7.3). Alternatively, feed the sow ad
libitum. At weaning time, gradually reduce feed amounts by 1kg until only 2 kg
per day.

Table7.3: Restricted feeding plan of a sow

Number of piglets in the litter Amount of feed per day (kg)

3 4
6 5

9 6
12 7
15 8

120 Student’s Book Form Two

04/10/2024 18:07
Agriculture form 2.indd 120 04/10/2024 18:07
Agriculture form 2.indd 120