Chapter 1- Introduction To Pig Production

Question 1

Latin name of domestic pigs

Answer 1

Sus scrofa domesticus

Question 2

Latin name for wild boar

Answer 2

Sus scrofa

Question 4

What is a swine?

Answer 4

Another name for a pig.

Question 5

Sow

Answer 5

A matured female pig that has given birth at least once before.

Question 6

Boar

Answer 6

A matured male pig that has sired offspring at least once before.

Question 7

Gilt

Answer 7

A young female pig.

Question 8

Piglet

Answer 8

A juvenile pig.

Question 9

Barrow

Answer 9

A male pig castrated before sexual maturity.

Question 10

Stag

Answer 10

A male pig that has been castrated after sexual maturity at the end of its reproductive life.

Question 11

Hog

Answer 11

A pig that is raised for slaughter; loosely refers to a castrated boar.

Question 12

Oestrous

Answer 12

Cycle that occurs once every 21 days on the average.

Question 13

Oestrus

Answer 13

The period of sexual receptivity in females.

Question 14

Gestation

Answer 14

Period from conception to birth (112-115 days in pigs).

Question 15

Farrowing

Answer 15

The act of giving birth in pigs.

Question 16

Litter

Answer 16

Piglets farrowed by one sow at a time.

Question 17

Runt

Answer 17

Unusually small and weak piglet that normally dies before maturity.

Question 18

In-pig

Answer 18

Refers to a pregnant pig.

Question 19

What are the most unjustly treated farm animals?

Answer 19

Pigs.

Question 20

Pigs are among the best income generators due to:

Answer 20

1. Short gestation length
2. Large litter bearing
3. Fast growth rate
4. High dressing percentage
5. Good market value

Question 21

Gestation length of pigs

Answer 21

112-115 days

Question 22

Average size of litter

Answer 22

Ten piglets

Question 23

How long does it take a piglet to mature?

Answer 23

6 months on average.

Question 24

Dressing percentage of pigs

Answer 24

70%

Question 25

Classification of pigs

Answer 25

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Mammalia
Order Artiodactyla
Family Suidae
Genus Sus
Species: Sus scrofa domesticus

Question 26

Physical characteristics

Answer 26

1. They are ungulates/ possess hooves
2. They have stocky or barrel shaped bodies
3. They have a mature body weight of 35-350kg; 450kg in some breeds.

Question 27

Mature body weight of swine

Answer 27

35-350kg; 450kg in some species.

Question 28

Importance of swine to man

Answer 28

1. High concentration of nutrients
2. Relatively low calorie content
3. Surpassed only by chicken
4. Source of high quality protein
5. Source of Vitamin B complex
6. Source of essential amino acids

Question 29

Importance of swine in biomedical research

Answer 29

1. They have similar physiology and anatomy to man.
2. Model for research on human diseases.
3. Heart transplants
4. Digestive studies
5. Dental studies

Question 30

Importance of swine in industry

Answer 30

1. Hooves for glue
2. Skin for leather
3. Bone for bone meal

Question 31

Origin of pigs

Answer 31

Pigs moved from the Middle East to Europe and then to Africa.