Evaluation of reproductive performance of breeding sows within selected parishes of Makindye Division, Kampala District

Abstract

Reproductive efficiency and pre-weaning piglet survival are critical determinants of productivity and profitability in intensive pig production. However, limited data exist on these parameters among small-scale intensive farms in urban-peri-urban areas of Uganda. This study was set to; i. Characterise the litter size, age at weaning, weaning-to-service interval, Non- productive days, Inter- farrowing interval, litter index and the Piglets weaned per sow per year of sows managed under intensive production systems within selected parishes of Makindye Division, Kampala District. ii. Determine the prevalence and likely causes of pre-weaning piglet mortality in breeding herds within the study area. A cross-sectional study was conducted in selected parishes of Makindye Division, Kampala District. Ninety pig farmers were interviewed using a structured questionnaire, and reproductive data were collected from 151 breeding sow. Descriptive statistics (means, standard deviations, medians, and ranges) and frequency distributions were generated using STATA software. Chi-square tests were used to assess associations with pre-weaning mortality. All farms used intensive, confined housing, with crossbred sows predominating (91.1%). Mean litter size was 9.46 ± 1.95 total born (9.09 ± 1.88 born alive), and 8.78 ± 4.66 piglets were weaned per litter, yielding 14.09 ± 3.56 piglets weaned per sow per year. Pre-weaning mortality was reported by 54.4% of farms (n=49). Among affected farms, 69.4% of mortalities occurred within 0–2 days of life. The leading causes were diarrhea (42.9%) and crushing by the sow (38.8%). Reproductive performance was moderate but significantly limited by high early neonatal mortality. Strengthening farrowing supervision, hygiene, creep feeding, and neonatal care can substantially reduce losses. Extension services should prioritize practical training on these aspects to enhance productivity in urban- and peri-urban pig farming systems in Uganda.