Kheke livestock farm limited

04/08/2026

31/07/2026

How many times should my female pig give birth before I sell it off?

There is no fixed number of litters after which every sow should be sold. The right time depends on her health and productivity.

As a general guide:

1–2 litters: Usually too early to sell if she is healthy and producing good-sized litters.

3–6 litters: This is often the most productive period for many sows.

After 6–8 litters: Many farmers begin considering culling or selling, especially if her performance starts to decline.

You should consider selling a sow if she:

Produces small litters repeatedly (for example, 5–6 piglets or fewer without another explanation).

Has difficulty becoming pregnant or returning to heat.

Has repeated farrowing problems or poor mothering ability.

Suffers from chronic illness, lameness, or udder problems.

Weans weak or slow-growing piglets consistently.

A healthy sow that consistently produces 10–14 or more healthy piglets, mothers them well, and recovers properly after farrowing can remain profitable for several years, even beyond six litters.

For most commercial pig farms, a sow is commonly replaced after 6–8 successful litters, but the final decision should be based on her performance rather than her age alone.

22/07/2026

𝙄𝙉𝙁𝙀𝘾𝙏𝙄𝙊𝙐𝙎 𝘾𝙊𝙍𝙔𝙕𝘼 𝙄𝙉 𝘾𝙃𝙄𝘾𝙆𝙀𝙉𝙎

✨ 𝐾𝑒𝑦 𝑃𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑠 ✨

Cause: Avibacterium paragallinarum

Incubation period: 1–3 days

Affected birds: Mainly chickens, especially growers and layers

Mortality: Usually low, but production losses can be significant, especially if secondary infections (e.g., Mycoplasma gallisepticum or E. coli) are present.

These signs are commonly used to differentiate infectious coryza from other respiratory diseases such as chronic respiratory disease (CRD), infectious bronchitis, and fowl cholera, although laboratory confirmation is recommended.

11/05/2026

The Truth About Pig Growth Boosters That Many Farmers Don’t Know

One of the most common questions many pig farmers ask is: “What growth booster can I use to make my pigs grow faster?”

And honestly, many farmers believe there is one powerful product that can magically transform slow-growing pigs into massive pigs within a short period.

But pig growth doesn't work that way.

The first thing farmers need to understand is that pig growth boosters are not magic fattening medications.

Pig growth boosters are simply feed additives or nutritional supplements designed to support faster growth, improve feed efficiency, improve digestion, and help pigs utilize nutrients better.

Most growth boosters contain things like probiotics, enzymes, vitamins, amino acids, minerals, bioactive compounds, and sometimes antimicrobial growth promoters.

Some also contain digestive enzymes that help pigs break down feed more efficiently.
Others contain probiotics that improve gut health and nutrient absorption.

Some are mainly vitamin and mineral supplements used to support appetite, immunity, and overall performance.

This is why some farmers notice better growth performance when they use them properly.

A pig that digests feed better and utilizes nutrients more efficiently will usually grow better than one with poor nutrient absorption.

That is one of the major purposes of growth boosters.

Some boosters can also help reduce stress during weaning, transportation, feed changes, or difficult weather conditions.

Others help improve feed conversion, meaning the pigs may require less feed to achieve the same weight gain.

This is why farmers who manage their farms properly sometimes achieve impressive growth rates and market weights within shorter periods.

But this is where many farmers misunderstand the whole concept.

Growth boosters are not substitutes for good management.

A farmer cannot be feeding poorly formulated feed, overcrowding pigs, neglecting hygiene, failing to deworm routinely, and then expect one booster to suddenly fix poor growth.

It will not work.

No booster can replace balanced nutrition, no booster can replace consistency in feeding, and no booster can compensate for poor housing, heat stress, dirty water, parasites, or poor genetics.

In fact, many pigs that farmers think need boosters are actually suffering from poor nutrition or poor management.

Some pigs are simply eating feed that lacks enough quality protein, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals needed for proper muscle development.

Others are battling worms quietly and losing nutrients internally.

While some are stressed from overcrowding and excessive heat.

In those situations, repeatedly injecting products or adding random boosters may produce little or no real improvement because the foundation itself is already weak.

This is why experienced farmers focus first on the basics: Good piglets, Balanced feed, Consistent feeding routine, Clean water, Proper housing, Routine deworming, Good hygiene, And close observation.

Then growth boosters are used only as support, not as shortcuts.

Another thing farmers should understand is that different boosters work differently.

Some are mixed directly into feed at recommended ratios, often around 1kg per 500kg or 1000kg of feed depending on the product.

Some are digestive enzyme products.
Some are probiotics.
Some are injectable vitamin supplements.

And they are usually more useful for weaners, growers, and finishers where fast and efficient growth is important.

But regardless of the product being used, the best results usually come when boosters are combined with proper feeding, clean water, low stress, and good sanitation.

Fast growth is not built on one miracle product. It is built on good daily management repeated consistently over time.

Growth boosters may support the process, but they cannot replace the process itself.

🔴 Have you ever used growth boosters on your farm before? Share your experience 👇

11/04/2026

Why Piglets Struggle After Weaning (And How to Prevent It)

A lot of farmers get piglets through farrowing and up to weaning successfully, then suddenly, things start going wrong.

Diarrhea starts.
Some piglets become weak.
And before you know it, you start losing them.

I’ve seen this happen on many farms, and most times, it’s not one big problem, it’s how the weaning was handled.

One major issue is weaning too suddenly.

Piglets go from depending on milk to being forced onto solid feed overnight, when their system is not fully ready for that kind of change.

Some won’t eat well,
Some will eat but not digest properly.
And that’s where diarrhea starts from.

Another important factor is timing of weaning.

Some people say 3–4 weeks, others say 6–8 weeks. The truth is, both can work, but not under the same conditions.

If you want to wean early, like around 3–4 weeks, your management has to be on point.
You should have already introduced creep feeding from around 7–10 days old, so that the piglets develop very well and are already familiar with solid feed before separation.

But if that is not in place, weaning that early will stress them and increase losses.

For many small farms, allowing piglets stay longer, like 5–6 weeks or more, can be safer because they are stronger and better developed before the transition.

Another thing that affects them is stress.

Weaning is not just about removing the sow.
The piglets are suddenly on their own, sometimes mixed with other piglets, and trying to adjust at the same time.

That stress alone can reduce feeding and weaken them.

Then there’s feed quality.

After weaning, some farmers feed the piglets the same feed they give to mature pigs.
This often affects them because their system is not fully developed to handle that kind of feed, and it may not contain the nutrients they need at that stage.

Piglets need higher protein and more balanced nutrition to support growth.
But when they are given feed meant for older pigs, which

07/02/2026

Not All Pig Breeds Grow Fast 🐖
(Top 3 Breeds You Should Consider If You Want Fast Growth)

One reality many farmers discover late is that not all pig breeds grow at the same speed. You can feed two pigs the same ration, manage them the same way, and still get very different results. Often, the difference is not the farmer, it’s the genetics.

Breeds like Duroc are widely known for fast growth and good feed conversion. When Duroc pigs eat, the weight gain shows. That’s why many farmers use Duroc boars for crossing, especially when the goal is faster growth and better meat yield.

Hampshire is another breed farmers consider when growth speed matters. They are muscular, grow quickly, and are commonly used for meat-focused production. On farms where feeding and hygiene are well managed, Hampshire pigs don’t waste time adding weight.

Then you have TN70, which stands out because of hybrid vigor. From the piglet stage, they usually look bulkier and more solid than many pure breeds. TN70 pigs tend to convert feed better and grow faster early in life, which is why many farmers are willing to pay extra for them. That extra cost often makes sense when management is good.

Large White and Landrace also deserve mention. They are often more affordable and easier to find than Duroc or TN70. They are also highly productive breeds, especially for litter size and mothering ability. With good feeding and management, Large White and Landrace can still grow very well and deliver solid profit, even if they may not always match the speed of some premium or hybrid breeds.

It’s also important to say this clearly: the breeds mentioned here are not the only good breeds. Many other breeds and crosses perform excellently on farms every day.

Growth problems are rarely caused by breed alone. Worms, poor feed quality, dirty pens, stress, and inconsistent management can slow down even the fastest-growing pigs. Many “slow-growing” pigs are actually victims of poor nutrition and management, not b

04/02/2026

Piglet Teeth Clipping: When to Do It and How to Do It Safely

Piglets are born with sharp “needle teeth.” These teeth help them compete for teats, but in some litters they can cause problems such as teat injuries on the sow or wounds on littermates during aggressive suckling. Teeth clipping is a management practice used to reduce these problems when necessary.

What teeth clipping is

Teeth clipping is the careful shortening of the sharp tips of a piglet’s teeth.
The goal is not to remove the teeth completely, but to blunt the sharp ends so they no longer cause injuries.

It is a management decision, not a routine requirement for every farm or every litter.

When teeth clipping is done

Teeth clipping is usually done:
-Within the first 1–3 days after birth
-When there are signs of:
teat injuries on the sow
facial or ear wounds on piglets
excessive fighting at the udder

If there are no injuries and piglets are suckling calmly, teeth clipping may not be necessary.

How teeth clipping is done (simple explanation)

1. Use the right tool
A clean piglet teeth clipper or cutter is used. Tools must be disinfected before use.

2. Handle piglets gently
Piglets are held firmly but calmly to avoid stress and sudden movement.

3. Clip only the sharp tip
Only the very tip of each sharp tooth is clipped.
The tooth should not be cut too short.

4. Avoid crushing the tooth
Clean clipping is important to reduce the risk of mouth injury or infection.

5. Maintain hygiene
Tools should be cleaned regularly during the process, especially when working on many piglets.

🟢 Key takeaway

Teeth clipping is a corrective tool, not a routine habit.
When used properly and only when necessary, it helps protect the sow, reduces injuries, and improves early piglet survival.

🔴 Do you practice teeth clipping on your farm, or do you leave piglets naturally? What breed are you raising?

18/01/2026

How to Raise Pigs That Reach 80–100kg in 6–7 Months

When farmers hear “80–100kg in 6–7 months,” many immediately think of special boosters, injections, or secret feeds. The truth is less dramatic, and more reliable.

Pigs don’t grow fast because of one magic thing. They grow fast because many small things are done right, consistently, from day one.

It starts with the pig itself. A pig that struggles genetically will struggle no matter how good the feed is. This is why buying piglets from healthy, fast-growing parents matters. Piglets that start weak or stunted rarely catch up fully. Growth speed is easier to maintain than to recover.

Next is the early phase, which many farmers underestimate. The first 6–8 weeks after weaning largely determine how the pig will perform later. When pigs lose weight or stall during this stage due to poor feed, stress, or disease, they don’t magically regain that lost growth. Farmers often say “they will catch up later,” but most times, they don’t.

Feed quality matters, but how you feed matters just as much. Pigs that are fed irregularly, fed once and overstuffed, or given inconsistent rations grow slower than pigs fed properly every day. Growth happens when pigs eat calmly, digest efficiently, and convert feed into muscle, not fat. This is why balanced protein and energy are more important than just pushing maize or energy-heavy feeds.

Water is another silent growth limiter. A pig can survive with limited water, but it cannot grow well without enough clean water. Many slow-growing pigs are not feed-limited, they are water-limited. Once water intake drops, feed intake follows immediately.

Housing also plays a bigger role than most farmers realize. Pigs kept in hot, poorly ventilated pens eat less and waste energy trying to cool themselves. Stress from heat, overcrowding, wet floors, or constant competition at the feeder slows growth even when feed quality is good.

Health management ties everything together. Internal parasites, fre