Porcine Flashcards
What is the feed coversion number?
3 lbs feed = 1 lbs gain
3:1
What is the general behaviour of pigs?
Smll hierarchial groups, typically housed by age/weight/prod stage/gender/temperment
Introducing new animals should be limited - groups follow all in all out practices
Aggression is common - limited feed structures (inc bulk of feed, straw forage) gestation stalls 1st 4 weeks (reduce embryo loss from fighting)
How often do happy pigs lay/rest? What can cause stress/discomfort? Or other signs to worry about
happy pigs rest 75-80% of day
stress/discomfrt from restlessness, tail-biting, indiscriminate elimination, reduced weight gain
Overcrowding, uncomfortable temp, ammonia/noxious gases, competition for resources
What environment is ideal for pigs?
less tolerant of temp fluctuations - do not have coats or sweat glands
15-30 C for individual animals
Colder for mature sows, warmer for neonates
influenced by bedding, group size, feed availability, body condition, humidity, drafts
piling, panting, hair growth, flushed, lying away from pen-mates
can tolerate cold temps better than hot
What are some typical nutrition for pigs
bulky feed to aid satiety, reduce aggression/boredom - straw/hay
individual feeding best to avoid overeating, competition - sows
WATER MOST IMPORTANT - free choice, low mineral content, lactating sows drink 15L/day
What are some transportation rules for pigs?
must be weaned
28 hrs w/o FWR - usually fasted 4 hrs before so actually 24 hours
must have bedding, ventilation, avoid hot/humid weather, avoid prolonged stops
must be fit for transport
Are pigs highly or lowly fertile? what are they selected for?
highly fertile, rapidly growing
selected for leanness, heavy muscled, soundness, frame size, reproduction
What are some 2nd sex chara for boars, when do they begin to service, type of penis?
begin to service 8-10 mo
selected for high fertility, lrg testes, sound limbs
2nd sex chara - well-muscled, tusks, neck crest
cor-screw shaped penis, sigmoid flexure
What are some reproductive facts about sows?
Gilts mature at 6-8 mos - influenced by body condition, exposure to boar, non-seasonal
estrous is 21d
estrus is 1-3 days
swollen, red vulva, discharge, vocalization (barking), mounting other sows, restless, perked ears, locking up (standing heat)
What is natural breeding in pigs?
boar introducted to sows in heat
what is AI in pigs?
collect semen in artificial vagina,c ooled, administered to females in standing heat
Describe sow pregnancy, gestation period, placenta type
gestation is 114 days (3mo,3w,3days) 2-3 litters/yr
epitheliochorial placentation
partially immunocompetent at birth - still needs colostrum for best litter survival
- gut closes 1hr after birth (complete at 6-12 hrs)
high litter numbers desirable
Describe the 3 stages of birth
1) 12-24 hrs - early labor, weak uterine contractions, relaxation of cervix
2) 1-5 hrs - ruptre of membranes to delivery of piglets, 1-15min btw piglets, anterior or posterior presentation normal
3) 1-3 hrs - usually all placentas delivered after piglets
What is normal presentation at birth?
Anterior or posterior
What are some common dystocia problems. How common?
<1%, >1hr btw piglets
causes:
-maternal-fetal disproportion most common
malpresentation, uterine inertia, constipation, prolonged gestation, obesity
What are common ways to ID pigs? What places uses what?
PigTrace - individual + herd ID
Farm-to-Farm within Canada - do NOT need individual ID EXCEPT sows and boars, MUST have manifest
Slaughter - herd mark shoulder slap tattoo OR herd ear stage
Fair/show - individual ear tag
How should you handle pigs safely?
Ear protection - vry loud
positive human contact, low stress.
= inc weight gain/repro, learn quickly and don’t forget a neg interaction
chase boards, patience, soft voices - especially w/ boars, respond better to non-intimidating handlers
R+ handling
NEVER GRAB BY EARS OR TAIL
Always have an escape route
What are some physical restraint methods used with pigs?
snout snare - snare both snout + maxilla, stressful - efficiency to reduce stress
Slings - smlr pigs/piglets
V-trough - piglets
Double rail stanchion - partially suspended by sternum
What are some routine invasice procedures
Castration - prevent boar tain, fighting. Less stressful when <2ws, analgesics and local anesthetis necessary if >2 wks of age
Teeth clipping, tail docking - prevent udder injury/future fighting, <24 hrs old. Only perform is history of issues
Tusk trimming - boars, prevent injury to handlers/boars. <6 mo by vet
Hoof trimming for breeding stock
What should we worry about with health and disease control? Typical biosecurity measures?
controlled access - shower in/out, minimum period of no contact with other swine/facilities, HEPA filters, disinfect vehicles coming on sight
Nect stock only from higher biosecurity facilities
quarantine new/sick animals
All in/out - pen, room, barn
VX protocol - herd specific, by vetW
Describe withdrawal times
MUST follow withdrawal times, extra label use only by vets
never use certain drugs
- Aminoglycosides, phenlybutazone, enrofloxacin
Medicated water/feed for herd dz outbreaksWha
What are some possible zoonoses?
Uncommon in high biosecutirty fecilities
diarrhea - cambylobacterosis, salmonellosis, trichinellosis, cryptosporidiosis, giardiasis, E.coli
Abortion - leptospirosis, listeriosis, toxoplasmosis
Respiration - influenza
Cystericerocosis - tapework, cysts form in muscle, lungs, eyes, brain by consuming undercooked pork
How to humanely euth a pig?
stunned prior to exsanguination w/ proper restraint
What are the vital signs of pigs? RR, HR, Temp,
