animal weight and age of the first heat
Forum: Relationship between animal weight and age of the first heat
Hello Colleagues,
What relationship exists between animal weight and age of the first heat?
Thank you for your help!
Cheers from Italy!
Fabio
Dear Fabio,
Once they reach puberty, sows will have continuous heats that will present every 21 days. The age of the first heat is 5 months, at this age it should weight between 70 and 80 kilos. Nevertheless, it was always recommended to wait until the female reaches physical maturity, in order to put up with the male’s weight, the piglets’ development, lactation and weaning. This will be until 9 months (110-120 kilos)
As you can see, there is a relationship between the age of the first heat and its weight. An overweight sow will last more days in presenting its first heat, and an undernourished sow will present weaker and irregular heats.
Greetings,
Dr. Taylor.
