Pig basics

Question 1

How old are gilts when first mated? What about boars?

Answer 1

Gilts - 6 months

Boars - 8 months

Question 2

What is the gestation period of a sow?

Answer 2

113 days

3 months, weeks, 3 days

Question 3

What are the 3 most common causes of post-natal piglet mortality?

Answer 3

Crushing
Starvation
Lack of nutrition

Question 4

How long is the oestrus cycle of a sow?

Answer 4

21 days

Question 5

What mineral supplement is required in the first few days of life for an indoor piglet and why?

Answer 5

Iron
Piglets iron store only sustains haemoglobin production for 3-4 days without supplement
(Outdoor pigs get iron from rooting in soil)

Question 6

At what age are piglets weaned?

Answer 6

3-4 weeks

Question 7

What is the normal heart rate for a pig?

Answer 7

60-70bpm

Question 8

What is the normal resp rate for a pig?

Answer 8

10-20brpm

Question 9

What is the normal temperature for a pig?

Answer 9

38.5-39.5

Question 10

How long must the drug and vaccine record be kept for on a pig farm?

Answer 10

5 years

Question 11

How much of their BW should pigs eat and drink per day?

Answer 11

Eat - 1%

Drink - 10%

Question 12

How can you euthanise an adult pig?

Answer 12

Captive bolt - only to stun

Follow by pithing or shotgun

Question 13

How can you euthanise a piglet?

Answer 13

Blunt trauma <5kg
Turkey stunner
Intracardiac/peritoneal pentobarbitone
Gassing with CO2

Question 14

Why are Yorkshire pigs often kept indoors?

Answer 14

Clay soil - causes poor drainage

Question 15

Which NSAID used in farm animals must never enter the food chain?

Answer 15

Phenylbutazone