Best Ultrasound Machine for pig: pregnancy and growth monitoring

As a pig farmer—or someone involved in swine management—you’ll know you want a tool that’s portable, reliable, and gives clear images. Real‑time ultrasound is one of the smartest tools out there. It helps check pregnancy and even assess growth, without stressing the animals. I’ve seen vets and fellow farmers swear by these devices.

Why use ultrasound with pigs?

Ultrasound is non‑invasive and easy on the sow. You can detect pregnancy early (often from around 18–30 days after breeding), count fetuses, and monitor health. And later in the season, it may be possible to assess muscle and fat development as well. That means better planning for feeding, farrowing, and marketing decisions.

Vets and pig producers abroad often mention these advantages: fast on‑site checks, no sedation, real‑time results, and reduced cost over repeated vet visits.

Key features to look for

There are a few things you absolutely want:

• Suitable frequency and probe type: 3.5 MHz convex or mechanical sector probes are preferred for medium‑sized livestock like pigs.

• Battery life and portability: Devices like the BXL-V50 handheld ultrasound weigh under 2 lb and run for four to five hours on a charge, ideal for farm use.

• Built‑in measurement apps: Some have integrated swine pregnancy calculators showing heart length, stomach length, expected date, even fetus count automatically.

• Image modes: Modes like B, B+B, B/M, etc. help tailor imaging for pregnancy vs abdominal checks.

• Storage and connectivity: Save images to USB or TF card, review cine‑loops, and export often up to thousands of frames.

• Durability: Waterproof or splash‑resistant, drop‑proof rubber casing helps on rough farmgrounds.

Devices worth considering

Here are some top options favored in the livestock community:

BXL-V50 handheld ultrasound (for pig)

A compact, handheld unit with mechanical sector probe. Offers a swine‑specific data package for estimating fetal development automatically. Lightweight, long battery, waterproof, image storage, and eight pseudo‑color modes boost image clarity. Many users say it’s a reliable value—“great image, easy to use, farm‑friendly”.

CONTEC CMS600P2‑VET

More robust than tiny handhelds, this portable system offers a 10.1″ screen, multiple probe options (convex, rectal linear, micro‑convex, endo‑vaginal), and imaging modes suitable for both reproductive and abdominal assessments. Some users still rely on it for pig and goat scans with consistent results.

Chison and other veterinary‑grade systems

Systems from Chison like the SonoBook or ECO series include presets for pigs. Known for high‑quality imaging, easy switch between small and large animal exams, and durable outdoor handling.

Preg‑Tone II Plus Swine Ultrasound

A one‑handed, battery‑powered device built just for pig pregnancy detection. Durable, simple, and effective with earphone option for minimizing noise interference in noisy barns.

Chat‑style walkthrough on using ultrasound with pigs

Let’s say I’m chatting with you like a fellow farmer:

“Hey, so you’ve bred a sow and want to check pregnancy early? Grab that handheld ultrasound—just coat the probe with gel, place it on her flank, and within minutes you’ll see fluid pockets or fetal movement if she’s pregnant. Between 18 and 30 days post‑mating is the sweet spot. Some machines even tell you estimated due date and number of fetuses instantly.”

“As the sow approaches mid‑gestation, you can repeat scans. Later, if you use a unit with image analysis, you may measure tissue development trends. That can help with feed strategy in high‑density systems.”

Quality chatopinion around the world highlights how producers appreciate simple setup, intuitive interface, and animal‑friendly application. In one review, a farmer said, “best little ultrasound… image is clear and picks up multiples easily” . Others compliment durability: waterproof casing and drop resistance.

Suggested comparison table

Farmers abroad share this:

“I bred three females, saw sacks at day 28, and really happy with the machine.”
“Great image quality for price—those show‑pigs scans came out crisp.”
Users frequently praise its user manual and plug‑and‑play use on pig farms.

Tips from English‑speaking farmers and vets

• Always use plenty of ultrasound gel and shave a small patch on sow’s belly for better contact.

• Scan between days 25 to 45 for best pregnancy confirmation.

• Hold probe steady and slowly move across lower abdomen; clear fluid pockets indicate early embryos.

• Save a few images per scan so you can compare later or seek veterinary advice remotely.

• Clean unit after use; waterproof casing helps but don’t submerge electronics.

Summary and wrap‑up

If you’re looking for a cost‑effective, reliable way to detect pregnancy in pigs and even monitor early growth, a handheld ultrasound system like BXL-V50 is a solid pick. For more versatility across swine and other livestock, consider CONTEC or Chison systems. And if rugged simplicity is your goal, something like Preg‑Tone II Plus does the job well.

Choosing the right unit depends on what you’ll use it for most—pregnancy checks only, growth monitoring, multi‑species scanning, or clinic versus farm. Key factors: probe type (~3.5 MHz), portability, battery life, ease of use, and swine‑specific software features.