EXAM 3: Weaning & pig processing Flashcards

1
Q

Historically pigs are weaned at ____________ of age. Today most pigs are weaned at ____________

A

5-6 wks
21-22 days

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2
Q

weaning systems

A

segregated early weaning (SEW)= most common
medicated early wean (MEW)= rare
specific pathogen free (SPF)= rare; research

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3
Q

benefits to weaning pigs early

A

decreased production losses caused by disease (biggest advantage)

increased number of pigs/female/yr
decrease medication cost
maximize potential for lean growth
decrease chance of depopulation

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4
Q

how is disease outbreak decreased when we wean earlier

A

piglets are still protected by their dams colostrum antibodies while moving/weaning

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5
Q

when to piglets lose colostrum antibodies

A

~ day 25 of age

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6
Q

weaned earlier means the pig will be _______________ at market

A

leaner

**rewarded for leaness

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7
Q

Drawbacks of weaning earlier

A

wean to the first interval often increase**
farrowing rates may be reduced**
subsequent total pigs born may be reduced**
modified nursery equipment
expensive nursery feed
less eggs ovulated= smaller litter

**= greatest impact when weaned at 14 days or less

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8
Q

the main drawbacks of weaning early occurs when we wean at

A

14 days of age of less

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9
Q

why is nursery feed expensive

A

require highly digestable feed and high-quality protein sources

**animal source of protein

examples: whey, blood meal, plasma meal

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10
Q

the most common weaning system

A

segregated early weaning

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11
Q

SEW was designed on the assumption that

A

disease transmission is minimal during the first 3 weeks of age when the sows milk provides highest antibody protection

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12
Q

sows are immune to diseases that affect the growing pig, but the sow is a source of

A

infection to their offspring

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13
Q

are pigs infected at birth

A

no, generally become exposed after birth

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14
Q

Segregated early weaning is at what age

A

21 days

pigs have high levels of antibodies from colostrum
protected from infectious agents carried by dams

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15
Q

the process of segregating in segregated early weaning

A

transport babies from farrowing site to another facility

OR

move sows to breeding/gestating facility and leave piglets where they were born

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16
Q

what type of segregation is used more often

A

transport babies from farrowing site to another facility

**to nursery/wean to finish

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17
Q

what type of segregation is better for the piglets

A

move sows to breeding/gestating facility and leave piglets where they were born

less stress

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18
Q

purpose of segregating

A

prevents verticle transmission of infection

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19
Q

close observation of each young pig should occur

A

2x day for evidence of adequate milk production by the sow

20
Q

characteristics of healthy pig

A

run around
tight, shiny skin
thrifty looking

21
Q

characteristics of sick pig

A

lose skin (dehydrated)
depressed
hairy

22
Q

what are the 4 ways we can euthanize young pigs

A

carbon dioxide
blunt mechanical trauma
electrocution
controlled drug (barbituates)

23
Q

most common ways of euthanizing young pigs

A

carbon dioxide (slow death)
blunt mechanical trauma (quickest, least painful)

24
Q

why is electrocution not commonly used

A

dangerous for person doing it
pigs processed one at a time

25
Q

why are controlled drugs not commonly used?

A

major human health risk
need a vet to sign off on use

26
Q

the surgical removal of two testicles that is routine management practice for male pigs destined for slaughter

A

castration

27
Q

boar odor or boar taint occurs in

A

pork from uncastrated male pigs

28
Q

how do we castrate pigs

A

knife
side cutter

29
Q

pigs are born with eight _______________ on the sides of their upper and lower jaw

A

needle teeth (wolf teeth)

30
Q

producers typically clip needle teeth within 24 hours because

A

it will reduce laceration of other litter mates and sows udder

cut 1/2 of tooth away, flat

31
Q

do all producers need to cut needle teeth

A

no, it normally is cases where the sow is a poor milker or greasy pig/mastitis is a problem

32
Q

Specific pathogen free (spf) herds are used in

A

research
foundation stock
rare
high pre-wean mortality

33
Q

how are SPF herd piglets born

A

C-section two or four days before farrowing date then reared in isolators for about 2 weeks

34
Q

what happens to the piglets in the isolators

A

Given probiotic flora to promote health of the digestive tract and suppress the growth of E.Coli

given sterilized colostrum supplements

35
Q

once SPF piglets are removed from isolators, what happens

A

placed in cleaned rooms and gradually introduced to various contaminated

examples: dust in air, bacteria is food

remain free from specific pathogens

36
Q

pig processes includes

A

clipping teeth
treating umbilical cord
iron
dock tail
identification
treating splay-legged pigs
provide supplemental nutrients
castrate

37
Q

do producers process piglets all at once

A

some can
others do it over a span of a few days

38
Q

does the umbilical cord of pigs normally require much attention

A

no, usually shrivels up and dies off within 24hours

it is possible for bacteria/viruses to travel up the cord and cause infection/bleeding –RARE

39
Q

if excessive bleeding occurs from the umbilical cord, what can be done

A

cord can be tied off with string using square or surgical knot or clamp with plastic clamp

apply iodine antiseptic

40
Q

supplemental iron is needed in pigs to prevent

A

anemia

41
Q

why does anemia is young pigs develop rapidly

A

low reserves in newborn pigs
low iron in sow colostrum
rapid growth rate
lack of contact with soil

**can result within 7-10 days of birth

42
Q

when/where should iron be given

A

day 1-3 of age

Inject 200mg or orally (not absorbed the best and can cause nausea)

in the neck is preferred

NEVER in the ham (stains/bruises)

DO NOT OVERDOSE (is possible)

43
Q

why is an undocked tail bad

A

target for biting and canniblism

44
Q

why do we dock tails

A

reduced newborn tail biting

Dock about 1 in from where the tail meets body with an emasculator or heated cutter to cauterize and apply antiseptic

Cut 24hrs after birth to cause the least amount of stress

should be healed in 7-10 days

45
Q

what can occur if we dock the tail too short

A

interfere with muscle activity around anus and can lead to rectal prolapse

46
Q

options for identification include

A

ear tag
tattoo
ear notch (most common)

47
Q

how is a pigs ear notched

A

The litter number is notched in the pigs right ear

the individual number is notched in the pigs left ear

V-ear notcher
leave at least 1/4 inch between notched

NO MORE THAN 2 NOTCHES/ QUAD