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Managing a pig herd

Managing a pig herd. SAPPO Training Course. Introduction. Each age group/development stage has special management requirements to stay healthy and produce well Breeding stock Breeding gilts Pregnant and lactating sows Boars Young stock from birth to point of sale

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Managing a pig herd

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  1. Managing a pig herd SAPPO Training Course

  2. Introduction • Each age group/development stage has special management requirements to stay healthy and produce well • Breeding stock • Breeding gilts • Pregnant and lactating sows • Boars • Young stock from birth to point of sale • Piglets before and after weaning • Weaners and growers

  3. Breeding stock • Their wellbeing and continued high production depends on • Housing • Nutrition • Good breeding management (service, farrowing) • Health care (vaccination, parasite control)

  4. Introducing gilts • Gilts are usually selected when they are 4-6 months old • At 6-7 months, vaccinate for E. coli and erysipelas, leptospirosis, parvovirus, with a booster 4-6 weeks later for both vaccines • Treat for mange and worms • Feed ad lib until served • Put them in a pen next to a mature boar to stimulate them to come on heat • Breed at 7-8 months, modern breeds should weigh at least 120 kg at service

  5. Breeding gilts and sows • Females come on heat every 3 weeks • When on heat they will stand firm to hand pressure on the middle of the back • Females are taken to the boar for service • Observe mating – the boar should remain mounted and ejaculating for at least 5 minutes • Remove sow after service and repeat 12 and 24 hours later – can use a different boar if available to get larger litters

  6. Breeding sows • Sow on heat stands firm to pressure • Normal mating

  7. Pregnant sows • Pregnancy lasts about 115 days • Observe served sows for signs of heat especially about 3 weeks after first service, and repeat service if necessary • Vaccinate with E. coli 2-3 weeks before farrowing date and treat for worms, lice and mange

  8. Pregnant sows • Check for constipation – straining, small hard faeces or none • Feed green feed and wet bran to prevent or correct constipation

  9. Farrowing • Put sow into farrowing pen about a week before due date and supply lots of bedding • Stand by during farrowing to help if needed but do not interfere if process is normal – piglets born 1-2 at a time at about 10-15 minute intervals • Do not break the umbilical cord • Can rub and dry piglets and remove membranes from face • Foster the bigger piglets from large litters with sows with smaller litters if necessary

  10. Farrowing • Unsupervised farrowing can lead to losses

  11. During lactation • Increase the sow’s feed to 2-3 times the normal amount, observe for weight loss and give more if necessary • Feed at least 3 times a day to prevent excessive intake at any one time • Ensure that unlimited water is available, lactating sows can drink at least 30 litres per day • Wean piglets at 4-6 weeks • Sow can be served at first heat after weaning if she is in good condition

  12. During lactation • Sow should not appear thin as piglets grow – the sow in the picture at the bottom is much too thin

  13. Managing the boar • Treat at least 4 times a year for mange, lice and worms • Breed from about 10 months of age • Let him serve a quiet sow first if possible • Do not overwork – not more than 3-4 services per week • Cull when lame, overweight, or not siring good litters • Avoid boar serving own daughters as it leads to inbreeding

  14. Managing the boar • A good boar is a valuable asset

  15. Care of piglets • Most piglet deaths occur in the first 3 days of life • Major causes are cold, starvation, accidents • Supply a warm creep area • Make sure that the piglets are suckling well • Provide a farrowing rail or deep straw to enable the piglets to get away from the sow so that she will not accidentally lie on them

  16. Creep area

  17. Deep bedding • Deep bedding provides warmth and protection

  18. Care of piglets • Piglets may also die as a result of infectious diseases or birth defects • Ensure good hygiene in the farrowing pen • Disinfect the navel and feet with iodine on the day of birth • Vaccinate and treat the sow for parasites as described before • Make sure that the piglets suckle as soon as possible to take in colostrum • Avoid inbreeding

  19. Suckling • Piglets and sow should be calm and happy • Piglets not suckling and hard red teats = mastitis

  20. Procedures • Injection with iron • Castration

  21. Tattooing • Pigs are tattooed at weaning

  22. Care of weaners • Wean at 4-6 weeks by removing sow and leaving piglets in farrowing pen for 3-5 days • Feed small amounts of weaner feed from 10 days before weaning • Restrict feed for 1-2 days after weaning to prevent over-eating; give wet feed • After that feed ad lib, water always available • Good food, good hygiene, good health management and timely treatment if necessary are the keys to success with weaners and growers

  23. Mixing litters • If possible mix piglets of the same size, age, sex • To prevent excessive fighting • Provide enough space for them to move apart • Make sure there is plenty of space at the feeder • Provide “toys” – pieces of old motor tyres, sacking, branches – to occupy them

  24. Any questions?

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