Porcine

Question 1

What is the feed coversion number?

Answer 1

3 lbs feed = 1 lbs gain
3:1

Question 2

What is the general behaviour of pigs?

Answer 2

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)

Question 3

How often do happy pigs lay/rest? What can cause stress/discomfort? Or other signs to worry about

Answer 3

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

Question 4

What environment is ideal for pigs?

Answer 4

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

Question 5

What are some typical nutrition for pigs

Answer 5

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

Question 6

What are some transportation rules for pigs?

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Are pigs highly or lowly fertile? what are they selected for?

Answer 7

highly fertile, rapidly growing

selected for leanness, heavy muscled, soundness, frame size, reproduction

Question 8

What are some 2nd sex chara for boars, when do they begin to service, type of penis?

Answer 8

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

Question 9

What are some reproductive facts about sows?

Answer 9

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)

Question 10

What is natural breeding in pigs?

Answer 10

boar introducted to sows in heat

Question 11

what is AI in pigs?

Answer 11

collect semen in artificial vagina,c ooled, administered to females in standing heat

Question 12

Describe sow pregnancy, gestation period, placenta type

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Describe the 3 stages of birth

Answer 13

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

Question 14

What is normal presentation at birth?

Answer 14

Anterior or posterior

Question 15

What are some common dystocia problems. How common?

Answer 15

<1%, >1hr btw piglets

causes:
-maternal-fetal disproportion most common
malpresentation, uterine inertia, constipation, prolonged gestation, obesity

Question 16

What are common ways to ID pigs? What places uses what?

Answer 16

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

Question 17

How should you handle pigs safely?

Answer 17

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

Question 18

What are some physical restraint methods used with pigs?

Answer 18

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

Question 19

What are some routine invasice procedures

Answer 19

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

Question 20

What should we worry about with health and disease control? Typical biosecurity measures?

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Describe withdrawal times

Answer 21

MUST follow withdrawal times, extra label use only by vets
never use certain drugs
- Aminoglycosides, phenlybutazone, enrofloxacin

Medicated water/feed for herd dz outbreaksWha

Question 22

What are some possible zoonoses?

Answer 22

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

Question 23

How to humanely euth a pig?

Answer 23

stunned prior to exsanguination w/ proper restraint

Question 24

What are the vital signs of pigs? RR, HR, Temp,