pig health and managment Flashcards
Batch Management of pigs
Normally expect 4.5 sows farrow / week per 100 sows on continuous flow system
3 Week Batches ≈ 14 sows every 3 weeks
“All in all out” management
Reduced Mixing
Hygiene and Washing Breaks
Aids Multisite Production
Concentration of work
Labour routines eg Service, Farrowing, Weaning
Simplified management and transparent performance appraisal for each batch
Economies of scale
Multisite Production in oigs
Creates Biosecurity between batches in “All in all out” systems
Works well in integrated systems that rear pigs under management contracts
Economic Strategy of pigs
5 – 10% margin on turn over
Health is the biggest business risk
Maximise Health status
Therefore Prevent disease entering a unit
Pathogens are Cumulative and Additive
If health status falls - economic threshold
Destock - Restock
Biosecurity factors in pigs
To minimise risk in all forms at all levels National Business Location Unit Section / Building / Batch Room Pen
New Disease Pandemics in pigs
Aujeszky’s (1980’s) is a latent disease current
re-occurrence West Germany
Post Weaning Multisystemic Wasting Syndrome (PMWS) (2001) 30kg mortality up to 15-20%
2013/14 – 2019/20
African Swine Fever (ASF) China, Russia now Germany
Porcine Endemic Diarrhoea virus (PEDv)
2019 / 20 USA - Now Canada
PMWS Circo Virus
Most UK pigs Vaccinated
HA Pig Research UnitExample of High Health & Performance
230 Sow Unit Farrow to Finish Batch Farrowing 32 litters / 3 weeks 13.7 + Pigs weaned per litter 32.5 p/s/yr 8.7 kg at 26 days Vaccinate for EP and Circovirus Weaning +20 days 410 g/d Ave Slaughter age ≈145 days, 108kg Weaning to Slaughter 848 g/d Antibiotic score 10-15 mg/PCU
Stock Integration in pigs
40% replacement rate of sows each year HA Unit requires 120 new gilts per year Purchase new genetics from disease free nucleus herds (10 per month?) Always the biggest risk so Quarantine OR – Close the herd Sows F1 Hybrids (200 Landrace x Large White) Maintain Purebred Nucleus (10 Landrace) Introduce genetics through AI
Outdoor Biosecurity in pigs
Less easily controlled Soil born disease Worms, Coccidiosis Predators Fox Fence, doors and floors in arcs Foot paths Wild birds and animals More environmental stressors
Key Stress Points in pigs
Weaning the Sow Mating Farrowing Sow & New born Weaning the piglet Mixing, Moving, Handling
Handling System Design Issues in pigs
Clutter Steps Light/Dark Solid Sides Width
Nooyan Crates for pigs
Rising floor 50% Less Laid on Overall Mort 4% lower Extra cost £400 per crate Pay back 2½ years
pig Weaner pen facilities.
Adlib feed
Nipple Drinkers
Mixed at weaning
Finishing at Slaughter for pigs
Weight 110kg
Age 153 days
Selected over 2 weeks
0.75m2 per 100kg pig
