Porcine

Question 1

Porcine industry

Answer 1

Industry
Farrow to finish
Traditional, most common
Feed conversion 3:1
3 lbs feed = 1 lbs gain
Gilts/sows bred, farrow, weaned, fed to market weight, transported, slaughter

Question 2

How can pigs be used

Answer 2

Research
Backyard
Pets
Service animals
Industry

Question 3

Pigs are social hierarchal animals

Answer 3

Small groups
Housed by age, weight, production stage, gender, temperament
Introducing new animals should be limited
Groups follow all-in-all-out practices

Question 4

Agression in pigs

Answer 4

Aggression common
Limited feed structures
Increased bulk of feed, straw forage
Gestation stalls first 4 weeks
Reduce embryo loss from fighting

Question 5

How often will pigs lay down

Answer 5

Happy pigs will lay/rest for 75-80% of the day

Question 6

When do pigs get uncomfortable

Answer 6

Stress/discomfort
Restlessness
Tail biting
Indiscriminate elimination
Reduced weight gain
Overcrowding
Uncomfortable temp
Ammonia/Noxious gasses
Competition for resources

Question 7

Environment to keep pigs in

Answer 7

Loss tolerant of temp fluctuations than other livestock species
Do not have coat 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, etc.
Pilling, panting, hair growth, flushed, lying away from pen mates, etc.
Can tolerate cold temp better then hot temp

Question 8

Nutrition for pigs

Answer 8

Designated by a nutritionist
Bulky feed to aid satiety, reduce aggression/boredom
straw/hay
Individual feeding best to avoid overeating, competition
Especially sows
Water is the most important nutrient!
Free choice, low mineral content
Check everyday that functioning
Lactating sows - 15L/day

Question 9

Transportation of pigs

Answer 9

Weaned
28 hours without food, water or rest
Usually fasted 4 hours before transport, so usually 24 hours of transport
8 hours offloaded
Bedding, ventilation, avoid humid/hot weather, avoid prolonged stops
Fit for transport

Question 10

How are pigs selected when it comes to reproduction

Answer 10

Highly fertile, rapidly growing
Selected for leanness, heavy muscled, soundness, frame size, reproduction

Question 11

Boars begin to service at what age and what are there secondary sex characteristics

Answer 11

Begin to service at approximately 8-10 months
Selected for high fertility, large testicles, sound limbs
Secondary characteristics
Well muscled, tusks neck crest
Corkscrew shaped penis, sigmoid flexure

Question 12

Sows become mature at

Answer 12

Gilts mature at 6-8 months of age
Influenced by body condition, exposure to boar
Non-seaonal

Question 13

Estrous cycle lasts how long in sows

Answer 13

Estrous cycle approx. 21 days

Question 14

Estrus cycle lasts how long in pigs

Answer 14

1-3 days

Question 15

Signs of estrus in pigs

Answer 15

Swollen, red vulva, discharge
Vocalization (“barking”)
Mounting other sows
Restless
Perked ears
“Locked up” with pressure on back (standing heat)

Question 16

What type of breeders are pigs

Answer 16

Long duration breeders
Up tp 30 mins
After courtship, boar mounts sow, obtains erection just prior to intromission, inserts penis into vagina then cervix (also corkscrew shaped), ejaculates into cervix

Question 17

Natural vs AI insemination in pigs

Answer 17

Natural breeding
Boar introduced to sows in heat
Artificial insemination
Collect semen in artificial vagina, cooled, administered to females in standing heat

Question 18

Average gestation of pig

Answer 18

Average gestation 114 days ( 3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days)
2-3 litters in a year

Question 19

Type of pig placenta and are they born immunocompromised

Answer 19

Epitheliochorial placentation
Partially immunocompetent at birth
Still need colostrum for best litter survival
Gut begins to close after 1 hour (complete closure 6-12 hours)
High litter desirable

Question 20

Stage 1 parturition of pig

Answer 20

(12-24 hours)
Early labour
Weak uterine contractions, relaxation of cervix

Question 21

Stage 2 parturition of pig

Answer 21

(1-5 hours)
Rupturing of membranes to delivery of piglets
1-15 mins between piglets

Question 22

Stage 3 parturition in pigs

Answer 22

(1-3 hours)
Usually all placentas delivered after birth of piglets

Question 23

Is dystocia common in pigs and what causes it

Answer 23

Dystocia relatively common
<1%
>1 hour between piglets
Causes
Maternal fetal disproportion most common
Malpresentation
Uterine inertia
Constipation
Prolonged destination
Obesity

Question 24

Identification for pigs

Answer 24

PigTrace
Individual and 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 tag
Fair/Show
Individual ear tag

Question 25

How to handle pigs safely

Answer 25

Ear protection
Positive human contact, low stress handling
Increased weight gain, increased reproduction
Learn quickly, will not forget a negative interaction
Chase boards, patience, soft voices
Especially with boars, respond much more favourable to non-intimidating handlers
Positive reinforcement
Scratching, treats
NEVER grab by ears or tail
Boars
Sow with piglets
Calm quiet, gentle handling
Always have an escape route for both handler and pig
“Fight” rather than flight if feel cornered
NEVER confront a threatened pig
The pig WILL win!

Question 26

How to restrain a pig

Answer 26

Snout snare
Be sure to snare both snout and maxilla
Stressful- efficiency to reduce stress
Slings
Smaller pigs, piglets
V-trough
Piglets
Double rail stanchion
Partially suspended by sternum

Question 27

Castration of pigs

Answer 27

Prevent “boar taint” fighting
Least stressful when preformed <2 weeks of age
Analgesics and local anaesthetics necessary if > 2 weeks

Question 28

Teeth clipping/ grinding and tail docking on pigs

Answer 28

Prevent udder injury, injuries from future fighting
<24 hours old
Preform only if history of problems in the herd (usually more indicative of lack of environment enrichment)T

Question 29

Tusk trimming and detusking of pigs

Answer 29

Boars
Prevent injury to handlers and other boars
Surgical procedure, preformed by vet
<6 months old

Question 30

What is hoof trimming preformed on for pigs

Answer 30

Breeding stock

Question 31

Health and disease control methods

Answer 31

BIOSECURITY
Controlled access
Shower-in/shower-out
Minimum period of no contact with other swine/facilities
HEPA filters
Disinfect vehicles coming on sight
New stock only from higher biosecurity facilities
Quarantine new and sick animals
All-in-all-out
Pen, room, barn
Vaccination protocol
Herd specific, designed by veterinarian

Question 32

Withdrawal times for medications in pigs

Answer 32

MUST follow label withdrawal times
Extra label use only by vet
NEVER use certain drugs
Aminoglycosides
Phenylbutazone
Enrofloxacin
Medicated water/feed for herd disease outbreaks

Question 33

Zoonoses in pigs

Answer 33

Uncommon in high biosecurity facilities
Diarrhea
Cambylobacterosis, salmonellosis,trichinellosis, cryptosporidiosis, giardiasis, E.coli
Abortion
Leptospirosis, listeriosis, toxoplasmosis
Respiratory
Influenza
Cystericerocosis
Tapeworm, cysts form in muscle, lungs, eyes, brain
Consuming undercooked pork

Question 34

Humane euthanasia of pigs

Answer 34

Slaughter
Stunned prior to exsanguination
Proper restraint