Reproductive and fertility parameters of pigs reared in Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

Pigs are highly prolific but mismanagement practices can hamper their reproducibility. Consequently, reproductive and fertility  parameters of pigs reared in 86 randomly selected piggeries in Enugu State, Nigeria were studied using structured questionnaire. Farmers’ responses were validated from their farm records, where available. Majority of the farms stocked < 100 pigs (59.3 %). Intensive husbandry system (91.9 %) predominated in the piggeries. Open mating, hand breeding and artificial insemination were the breeding methods practiced in 52, 40.4 and 7.7 % of the farms respectively. Inter-farrowing intervals were five months and ≥ seven months in 11.6 and 18.6 % of the piggeries. The numbers of piglets born alive per sow per year were: < 5 piglets (14 %), 5 – 10 piglets (36 %), 11 – 15 piglets (24 %) and ≥ 15 piglets (26 %). Correspondingly, the numbers of piglets weaned per sow per year were: < 5 piglets (26 %), 5 – 10 piglets (40 %), 11 – 15 piglets (24 %) and ≥ 15 piglets (10 %). Only 2 % of the piggeries attained production target of  weaning ≥ 20 piglets per sow per year. Major causes of pre-weaning piglet mortalities were scouring (52.3 %) and maternal overlay
(16.3 %). The findings suggest that prolificacy and productivity of pigs farmed in Enugu State is suboptimum. This warrants provision of veterinary extension services, training on modern pig production methods and genetic improvement of breeding stocks to boost the reproductive and fertility parameters and hence productivity in pig farming enterprises in the State.

Keywords: Fertility indices, Inter-farrowing interval, Piglet mortality, Pig production, Reproductive parameters