Learn to Raise Pigs
The pig is the most efficient meat producing farm animal that we possess and, next to the dairy cow, the most efficient converter of cereals and their by-products into an edible product containing animal protein.
This course will develop your understanding of pigs and how to care for them, covering areas such as:
- Husbandry,
- Reproduction,
- Health and feeding,
- Management for production, and more.
Lesson Structure
There are 9 lessons in this course:
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Introduction
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Breeding and selection
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Feeding Pigs
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Pig diseases
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Managing the boar
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Managing the sow and litter
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Management of Fattening Pigs
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Economics and records
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Managing a Piggery
BOAR MANAGEMENT
The importance of the boar is often overlooked by producers. The boar is responsible for the production of forty to fifty times more piglets than a sow. Half of the genetic potential of the piglet originates from the boar. Strict selection has a marked effect on the genetic make-up of the herd. A boar must be able, willing and fit to serve a sow on heat. This he will not be if his housing is inadequate, his condition neglected or if he is overworked.
SELECTING A BOAR
The search for a boar should begin well before it is required. Allow the boar at least three to five weeks to settle into his new home before expecting him to begin work. The farmer who pays a higher price for a genetically superior boar usually saves money in the long run. The offspring of a superior boar will need less feeding to reach marketing stage and will obtain higher grades (and thus prices) than a genetically poor boar.
There are a number of inherited conditions that the boar can pass on. The farmer should make sure that none of the following- feature in the genetic make-up of the chosen boar:
Features which should be avoided in the genetic make-up of the boar
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Atresia ani
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This is when the anus is covered by membrane. Normal passing of faeces is thus prevented. Piglets are born normally but boar piglets usually die within a few days (in gilts, the colon sometimes extends into the vagina).
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Hydrocephalus
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This is when a large amount of fluid accumulates on the brain.
Symptoms are an enlarged heart and fits.
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Cleft palate
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This is a disfigurement of the roof of the mouth. Piglets cannot suckle normally.
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Umbilical hernia
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Common in piglets and caused by a recessive gene.
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Scrotal hernia
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The intestines protrude into the scrotum.
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Cryptorchidism
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When one or both testicles do not descend into the scrotum after birth. If both testicles are retained, the animal will be sterile.
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Hermaphroditism
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Double-sexed. These pigs show the characteristics of both sexes to varying degrees. Such animals are sterile.
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Other deformities
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May occur in the legs, skin, ears and metabolism.
In addition, the farmer should not select a boar from a sow that has had a history of reproductive failures.
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The farmer should also select a boar that shows good economic traits. Characteristics to look for include:
• Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR),
• Growth rate (average daily gain - ADG). This is calculated over the period in which mass increased from 27 kg to 86 kg.
• Fertility - the pig recording scheme supplies records regarding numbers of litters born and these statistics are used to assess fertility.
• Quality of carcass - indicated by the back fat thickness - the P2 measurement. This is taken 60 mm from the middle of the spinal column where the last rib is attached to the back.
• Conformation - the boar must have good conformation, and particular attention should be paid to his feet and legs.
• Nipples - the boar must show at least twelve even and well-spaced nipples to pass on this trait to his female offspring.
• Tests (always use boars that have been performance tested. In the case of an older boar, buy one that has been progeny tested.
• Prepotence - try to find a boar that is prepotent. This means that his gene base is so consolidated that not passing on good quality traits is highly unlikely.
Who will benefit from this course?
Anyone wanting to own pigs as pets or to produce them commercially. Students will learn about many aspects of pig husbandry and be able to manage a piggery, whether it be large or small.
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