Pig Production Flashcards
Which country dominates pig industry?
China with 446m population of pigs
What is the gross output of pigs in ireland
433 million euro / 10%
When a sow has been serviced by a boar (only used 20%) or by AI (used 80% of the time), how long is gestation period?
114 days
How long is the lactation period for the sows
28 days
How long are piglets weaned for? weight?
How long are they finishing for? weight?
Weaned for a total of 8 weeks @ weight 7.5-20kg
Finished 10-12 weeks @ weight 20-110kg
Disadvantage in group housing?
Composition always changing - causes aggression
Electronic feeder - sows not always feeding together. Pigs prefer to eat together because they’re social animals
When a sow can no longer produce litters (parity, usually 5th/6th) what is the replacement called?
Gilts. They make up 20% of the breeding herd. A female on their first litter.
What is the ideal gilt characteristics?
31-34 weeks of age, 135-150kg weight, 18mm fat, served on their 2nd/3rd heat after weaning
How do you know when gilt/sow is in heat?
If a hand is placed down on their back they will stand in position and not move. They are then ready to service
When is pregnancy scanning done?
28-35 days into gestation
What are the signs of farrowing in a sow? what should be done then?
Restless, increase in mammary glands, milk let down. Nesting material should be provided which decreases birth interval, farrowing and still death
When are piglets born exactly? What’s the average birthing interval?
3 months, 3 weeks and 3 days
10-15 minutes
Requirements for new born piglets?
Dried off and have proper environments (usually come out cold and wet) , at least 250mls of colostrum is vital, protection from the sow
What are the two different environments in the pig house?
Macro environment for the sow which only needs 16-18 degrees - cooling tube blows down on sow. Micro environment for piglets which needs to be at 34 degrees - heat pad used away from sow and heat lamp over the piglets.
When are piglets most vulnerable to mortality and what are the causes?
52% occurs in the first 2 days - constant supervision needed
Starvation and crushing 80% of deaths
What are hyper-prolific sows?
Reproduce a lot of piglets - more pigs than teats. A lot of top brands using these type of sows. Extra nutrition needed
What is feeding the sow like during gestation-lactation?
Day 0-98 2.2kg/day
Day 98-112 food increases to 2.4-2.6kg/day
Lactation feed should be v. high (5/6kg) to maximise milk production. Shouldn’t lose more than 10% body weight
How is BCS measured for pigs? what’s ideal?
BCS 1-5. Ideal number is 3/4
Piglets are weaned at 28 days old. Certain conditions allow it under 28 days old, what are they?
-Health and welfare of sow/pigs affected
-Weaning into a house of all in all out basis
-Must NOT be weaned less than 21 days illegal
Target weight for weaning is 7kg at 4 weeks old
Piglet less than 5kg shouldn’t be weaned. Transfer to nursing sow for 7 days before weaning.
What food are the piglets given in the weaning house?
Creep feed- highly palatable
Diarrhoea is a main problem of weaning, what are the causes?
Loss of maternal antibodies, new environment, stress, possibly infectious (other pigs), food
What environment should the finisher accommodation be?
Artificial light 9/10 hours a day, well ventilated, concrete pens, kept at 20-22 degrees Celsius
What is a popular disease in finisher?
Porcine respiratory disease complex causes by different bacteria (streptococcus, Bordetella) or viruses (influenza, lungworm)
What can avoid tail biting?
Enrichment - hanging toys to distract them
