Introducing New Boars and Gilts Into Your Herd
 
Introduction to Isolation
 
Introduction of animals into a breeding herd should follow a systematic approach, designed to protect both the health of the new stock and the health status of the main herd. Breaches of an isolation protocol can have tremendous impact on the breeding herd – in diseases brought by the introduced animals and perhaps losses in boar productivity for breeding purposes.

The basic principles of a replacement stock introduction protocol include:

  • Biosecurity
  • Isolation and acclimatization
  • Health monitoring
  • Preventive medicine
  • Training boars to breed
 
Biosecurity
 
The biosecurity of an isolation facility should be the same as that for the main herd buildings. Animal movements should follow an all-in, all-out procedure, with cleaning and disinfecting between groups.

In general terms, isolated animals should be located as far from the breeding herd (or any other pigs) as possible. If the isolation unit is sited on the premises of the main herd, then it should be placed downwind and as far away as is reasonable. It should maintain separate manure storage and feed handling systems. If the isolation unit needs to be located on-site, it should not be near large intake openings in the main barn.

The people caring for the animals in isolation should not be in contact with other hogs, if possible. If it is necessary for workers to care for animals in isolation, they should do so at the end of the day and not return to the main barn before morning.

The isolation facility may be shower-in, but certainly separate boots and clothing, supplies and equipment need to be provided. All equipment should be thoroughly washed and disinfected between shipments of replacement animals.
 
Isolation & Acclimatization
 
The isolation period not only protects the animals in the main herd but it also protects the new, incoming stock. It is preferable that the health status of the incoming replacements be equal to, or better than, that of your breeding herd. Incoming stock should all arrive at the same time and be quarantined over 28 days.

After the isolation, an additional acclimatizing period of 21 days is instituted. Acclimatization refers to exposing the animals to microorganisms from the main herd. This can be accomplished by exposing the incoming stock to materials from the main barn or direct exposure to cull animals. This exposure, along with routine vaccinations, should provide some level of immunity to the pigs against potential pathogens.
 
Health Monitoring
 
Observe the animals in isolation, carry out routine blood testing and communicate between veterinarians as to the health status of the source herd. The minimum number of diseases to monitor will depend on the health status of the main herd and the recommendations of your consulting veterinarian.
 
Preventative Medicine
 
Preventive medicine includes routine vaccinations and parasite control programs. Animals used in breeding programs should at least be vaccinated against parvovirus, leptospirosis and erysipelas.

Preventive treatment with a drug that kills both internal and external parasites can be administered during the isolation period. Skin scrapings and fecal examinations should be performed in the main herd as a monitor of effective parasite control.
 
Training Boars To Breed
 
When training a young boar, allow plenty of time for him to investigate his surroundings as well as the gilt in heat. He should not be rushed or allowed to become frustrated with the mounting process. It is beneficial to have personnel who are calm and patient, with good stockmanship skills.

The training sessions should be relatively short, at 15 to 20 minutes duration. If the sound, smell and ejaculatory fluids from other boars are around, they will help in stimulating the “trainee” to mount and breed.
 
Summary
 
1.   Understand the health of source herds.
  • Communicate with veterinarians concerning disease profiles.

2.  Isolation

  • Keep animals separate from the main herd for the first 28 days.
  • Perform daily chores in clean boots and coveralls after working in the main herd.
  • Monitor replacement stock daily for clinical signs of disease. Incidences such as coughing, loss of appetite or scouring should be reported to your veterinarian.
  • Blood test at 14 days and start your preventative medication programs.

3.  Acclimatization

  • Continue to closely monitor animals and their health for another 21 days.
  • Expose animals to microorganisms from the main barn through materials feedback (manure) or direct exposure to cull animals in the isolation unit.
  • Redo blood testing as required, 7 days into the acclimatization period.
  • Re-treat for internal and external parasites; follow with booster vaccinations.

4.  Other considerations

  • If replacement stock is clinically healthy throughout the isolation period and have passed all required blood tests, they can be introduced into the main herd.
  • Clean and disinfect the isolation facility and equipment prior to the entry of the next group.
 
 

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