Pig Husbandry

Question 1

Sow

Answer 1

Any breeding female which has farrowed a litter

Question 2

Guilt

Answer 2

Female transferred to the breeding herd, maybe mated (pregnant gilt) but has not yet farrowed

Question 3

Boar

Answer 3

Male pig in the breeding herd

Question 4

Grower (porker)

Answer 4

Pig aged 9-16 weeks

Question 5

Finisher

Answer 5

Pig aged 17-24 weeks

Question 6

Barrow

Answer 6

Castrated male

Question 7

Herd Size

Answer 7

Total number of SOWS in a herd

Question 8

Farrowing Rate

Answer 8

Number of sows MATED that actually farrow

Question 9

Porker

Answer 9

Sold at 9-16 weeks (70kgs live-weight)

Question 10

Baconer

Answer 10

Sold at 17-24 weeks (100+ kgs live weight)

Question 11

Pig Feed Type

Answer 11

Creep, weaner, porker, grower, finisher, gilt, developer, dry sow (also fed to boars), lactating (wet), dual sow

Question 12

What are the limiting factors for pig feed production?

Answer 12

Rainfall, Drought

Question 13

Which code is used to assess compliance standards in pigs?

Answer 13

Model Code of Practice for the welfare of animals (MCOP) - Pigs (2008)

Question 14

4 Types of Pig Housing

Answer 14

1) Dry Sows and Boars
2) Farrowing Sows and suckers
3) Weaners
4) Growers/Finishers

Question 15

Advantages and Disadvantages to group housing?

Answer 15

Advantages: Social hierarchy, improved conception rates, stability of groups

Disadvantages: Introduction of new pigs will disrupt hierarchy

Question 16

Phenotype: Large White

Answer 16

Most common breed in Aus
White appearance - Pink skin
Quick growth rate - deep sides (bacon)
300-400kg
Large frame, Long middle, light shoulders
Erect ears

Large white x Landrace = Great sow (dam, mother)

Question 17

Phenotype: Landrace

Answer 17

2nd most common in Aus
White appearance 
Heavy drooped ears that cover face
Long middle, light shoulders, good pork
Produce more fat than large white
Early maturing and smaller litters

Question 18

Phenotype: Duroc

Answer 18

Reddish/brown colour 
Droopy ears
Heavy carcases, fast growth
Good feed efficiency 
Often 3rd breed mated with large white

Question 19

Recommended management of pregnant Sows (5 marks)

Answer 19

Individual of group housing
Individual: combats agression, allows sows equal access to feed, better for reducing the effects of seasonal infertility

Group: Perceived welfare benefit, able to move, huddle if cold, poorer repro performance?

Question 20

Strategies that can be used to help minimize stress of piglets (5 marks)

Answer 20

1) Housing: [TVR] Temp, Vent, Relative humidity
2) Environmental control: comfort
3) Reduce labour inputs: Handling/feeding
4) Reduce disease: Biosecurity, reduce movement of people

Question 21

Feed conversion efficiency measures:

Answer 21

Kg’s of pig feed to produce 1kg of pig meat

Question 22

MCOP 2008 does not recommend this procedure:

Answer 22

.

Question 23

What is the ideal temperature range of piglets:

Answer 23

27-35 deg. C

Question 24

Temperature ranges for pigs

Answer 24

Piglets: 27-35
Suckers: 24-30
Weaners: 20-30
All others: 15-25

*Temp. decreases with age**

Question 25

ADG

Answer 25

Average Daily gain Measured in g/day Measures: carcass quality, carcass weight, lean meat yield, backfat (mm)

Question 26

FCE

Answer 26

Feed Conversion Efficiency (n) Kg's of feed to produce 1kg of meat Intermediate to high heritability

Question 27

Types of Crosses

Answer 27

F1 x Terminal sire line F1 gilts are first cross daughters of pure bred parents 100% hybrid vigour

Question 28

Selective Attributes of F1 litters

Answer 28

1) Litter size 2) Milk production 3) Growth rate 4) Lower backfat

Question 29

What does the term "Terminal Sire Line" mean?

Answer 29

Means that boars are selected for growth and carcass attributes, not litter size - Usually crossbred (Duroc and White breeds)

Question 30

Ideal reproductive targets (gestation, lactation, weaning, litters per year, litter size)

Answer 30

``` Oestrous length: 18-24 days Gestation length: 115 days Lactation length: 28 days Weaning to oestrus: 8 days Total: 149 days Potetial 2.6 litters/sow/yr (actual: 2.2) Average piglets per litter: 11 ```

Question 31

Best practice for mating management

Answer 31

``` Natural mating and AI AI uses chilled (not frozen) semen Heat detection = back pressure Mate twice 24 hours apart 3min ejaculation for natural mating Provide non-split flooring ```

Question 32

Gestation length in pigs:

Answer 32

3 months / 3 weeks / 3 days | ~115 days

Question 33

What temperature does the water need to be at for pigs?

Answer 33

~20 deg. C

Question 34

Advantages and Disadvantages of group housing/sow stalls for DRY SOWS

Answer 34

Sow Stalls: Advantage: improve conception rate, individual feeding and drinking, prevents bullying Disadvantage: Limited mobility Group housing: Advantages: Increased mobility Disadvantage: Decrease conception rate, abortions, increased bullying, reduce feed/water intake

Question 35

EXAM Q: Sensory capabilities of pigs

Answer 35

1) Good hearing 2) Good sight 3) Very good smell 4) Pheromones are important 5) Taste changes with age * Touch, pigs get used to being handled * Pigs have good memory