Swine processing and managing

Question 1

Teeth clipping

Answer 1

• only done if necessary
• done as early as possible (first 2-3 days)
• clip at least 6 hours after birth and after the piglet has had enough colostrum
• clip the canines and the 3rd incisors (just the tooth tip)
• is done to prevent damage to the teats or litter mates

Question 2

Tail docking

Answer 2

• done in the first 2-3 days
• prevents tail biting (is often a redirected behaviour, can be due to lack of enrichment), this is the only reason it’s done
• leave 1/2-1-3” because the last bit does not have any nerves and we want the pig to feel in its tail
• can use the same pliers as teeth clipping as long as it’s clean
• analgesia is mandatory

Question 3

Iron supplements

Answer 3

• required in the first 2-3 days
• routinely 1mL (100mg) iron restrain is given in the neck (an oral dose can also be given
• some producers repeat the injection at 7-10 days

Question 4

What are the different pig identification methods?

Answer 4

• ear tag
• electronic identification
• ear notching
• tattooing

Question 5

Describe electronic identification

Answer 5

• usually implanted under the skin of the neck, near the base of the ear, or on the inside of the pin a before weaning
• commonly used for sow feeding stations

Question 6

Describe ear notching

Answer 6

• done a few days after farrowing
• is permanents
• must be done before 14 days old

Question 7

Describe tattooing

Answer 7

• done with tattoo pliers or “slapped”
• usually done on the thinner lower area of the ear or the shoulder
• must be done accurately or they are very hard to read

Question 8

Describe castration

Answer 8

• done to boar that are not being kept for breeding
• before weaning (7-10 days, up to 2 weeks)
• a single horizontal incision or two vertical incisions (which allows for better fluid drainage in older pigs)
• is an open technique
• at the time of castration, make sure there is no inguinal hernia

Question 9

Benefits of castration

Answer 9

• pig is quieter and easier to handle
• pig puts on more fat and the meat does not have the ‘boar taint’

Question 10

What are some inherited abnormalities?

Answer 10

• inguinal hernia
• cryptorchid
• hermaphrodite

Question 11

What is an inguinal hernia?

Answer 11

• loop(s) of the intestine escape from the abdomen through inguinal rings and into the scrotum
• may accidentally be cut at the time of castration

Question 12

Which are often bbq pigs?

Answer 12

Ridglings

Question 13

Describe a hermaphrodite

Answer 13

• varying degrees of both male and female characteristics that require more complicated castration procedure

Question 14

When does a gilt hit puberty?

Answer 14

• 200 days (4.5-6 months)
• 250lb, 114kg

Question 15

When does a boar hit puberty?

Answer 15

• after a gilt
• about 5-7 months
• Don’t mature until 2 years
• have a fibroblastic penis

Question 16

What are the boars accessory sex gland (3)

Answer 16

• seminal vesicles
• prostate
• bulbourethral gland (cowper’s gland)

Question 17

Describe ‘double matting’

Answer 17

• 2 breeding, 24 hours apart
• increases conception rate (90%+)
• estrus lasts about 3 days
• gilt needs 5 embryos to attach for her to continue with this pregnancy

Question 18

What to do during a sow soundness exam

Answer 18

• take a complete hx
• examine mammary glands for defects
• examine external genitalia for conformation defects

Question 19

Describe the boar soundness exam

Answer 19

• examine the sheath (examine for pus and redness)
• examine penis (persistent frenulum, bite wounds, amputated)
• palpate testes and epididymis (equal size with visible epididymis , testes should be firm with no hard areas, check epididymis for cysts)
• libido
  -semen evaluation

Question 20

Describe the estrous cycle (pig)

Answer 20

• non seasonally polyestrous
• about 21 days in duration
• estrus lasts about 2-3 days (40-60 hours) (standing estrus is 48-55 hours)
• ovulation usually occurs during the 2nd day of estrus (ovulate from both ovaries at the same time)
• should be bred 24 hours after onset and again 24 hours later ( with gilts do 12 hours after onset and again 12 later)

Question 21

What are the signs of estrus

Answer 21

• vulvar swelling
• restless
• alert
• receptive to boar
• stationary stance with ears still erect
• mounting other animals

Question 22

Describe lactation anestrus

Answer 22

• sow remains in anestrus while lactating
• estrus occurs 3-7 days after weaning piglets

Question 23

What is the boar-sow ratio

Answer 23

1 boar to about 20 sows

Question 24

Describe natural breeding

Answer 24

• some producers leave the boat in with the sows (pen mating)
• if the boat is not left with the sows, boar in with the sows twice daily for heat checks
• only use boar for about an hour at a time