Pig breeding and care

1
Pig breeding and care

• L.O. Be able to describe the breeding cycle
  including gestation, birth and care of offspring.

2
The stages of a pigs life
3

• Sows are put in special pens called 'farrowing
  pens', just before giving birth and while they
  nurse their piglets. The farrowing pen is
  designed to provide the best environment for both
  the large sow and the small piglets. The bars on
  the pen give the sow something to lean against
  when she lies down, and the piglets have a safe
  area to stay out of harm's way.
• The area where the piglets sleep can be kept warm
  with a heat lamp or heat pad.

4
Use the information you have been given to add
timescales and detail to the breeding cycle below
Gilt comes into heat at ______ days old at a
weight of _____ kgs.
Once the sow has weaned her litter of piglets she
will come into heat again within ____ days. She
can now be ______ once more.
Thereafter she will come into heat every _____
days. The farmer will be able to tell she is in
heat because _________.
Once the sow has mated she will have a gestation
period of _____.
Once the sow has had her piglets she should stay
with them for around _______ days.
5
Drawing of low-intensity pig housing with outside
pen
6
Sectional view of low-intensity pig housing with
pen

• Manure is removed from the building and outside
  pens by scraper or occasionally by flushing. 
• Runoff from the pens is collected in holding
  ponds  after passing through a settling basin if
  the system is properly constructed. Sometimes,
  however, there is no provision for collecting
  runoff, and areas adjacent to the pens become
  saturated with manure and produce flies.

7
View of multi pens in enclosed,
environmentally-controlled, high-intensity,
partially-slotted floor pig facility 

• Questions
• a) Why would you wish to control the pigs living
  conditions?
• b) What conditions could you control?
• 2. Why does this building have a slated floor?
• 3. What problems are associated with inadequate
  provision for waste management?