Pig Husbandry

Question 1

Describe the pig breeding pyramid

Answer 1

great grandparents are bred using Pig Performance Testing (PPT), a recording system to monitor daily growth, feed intake and feed consumption, to optimize genetics in breeding. From the pedigree great grandparents you then breed down through grandparents, commercial parents and commercial growers, breeding more for less value as you move down the pyramid

Question 2

Name some pig KPIs

Answer 2

mortality 3-25 wks, parity 1 farrowing rate, parity1 litter size (born, born alive and weaned), parity 1 breed back, parity 1 wean to service interval (parity 1 = first litter of a sow)

Question 3

Name the types of UK pig farm

Answer 3

Intensive or Extensive.
Within intensive - indoor, outdoor and mixed
Within extensive - outdoor, including free range and organic

Outdoor systems more common due to welfare concerns, but indoor more efficient and currently most popular (2/3)

Question 4

UK Production challenges

Answer 4

market gate price, lack of demand, high feed costs, ethics of feed, social pressures, environmental issues (ammonia emissions), reduced antimicrobial use, Zinc ban and disease threats.

Question 5

The steps of the production cycle

Answer 5

1. servicing (artificial or real, nonseasonal polyoestrous)
2. pregnancy (3 months, 3 weeks and 3 days)
3. farrowing (confinement and birth, 7-8 piglets per litter)
4. nursery (up to 28 days, sow crates, for colostrum and milk)
5. weaners (28d, typically 8kg)
   (6. growers - only if necessary)
6. finishers (>70kg)

Question 6

Common Management Procedures

Answer 6

tail docking - to prevent biting, and hence prevent abscesses, infections and skin trauma. not legally permitted routinely but allowed if genuine concern. done with a cauterising docker <7 days (<72hrs if red tractor)
teeth clipping - reduce needle teeth to protect sows teats, should be a last choice procedure, <7d old allowed after proof. either clipping or grinding.
nose ringing - prevent natural snuffling behaviours to protect the pasture and aggression towards pen fixtures. again, should not be first step in control
identification - ear notches or ear tags commonly used
castration - not commonly done as pigs are usually slaughtered pre-puberty. can be done to reduce aggression

Question 7

Outline concepts in pig diet

Answer 7

MAIN NUTRITIONAL AIM = GOOD MICROBIOME
- immunity through barrier, competitive exclusion and antimicrobial production
- good growth (vit production and carb digesting)

colostrum and milk -> creep pellets from day 7 –> sow and weaner diet

all ration changes should be made gradually

Question 8

Basic pig behaviour

Answer 8

prey animals !!
blind spot directly behind them
ears raised = tracking a threat
like to maintain a flight zone around them
herd animals, move as a group and retreat when scared
bunching will be demonstrated when lack of space
circling when there is pressure to the flight zone

Question 9

Pig Handling main principles

Answer 9

focus on minimising stress - calm pigs are easier to move
handler attitude is key - positive and calm attitudes easier job

Question 10

Pig Handling tools

Answer 10

sorting boards, sorting paddles, shakers, electric prods.

note manageable group sizes are important, as is continuously applying and releasing pressure for best reuslts