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The Life Cycle of a Pig

Explore the detailed process of piglet care from farrowing to finishing in this comprehensive guide. Learn about tail docking, ear notching, iron shots, and more. Discover the various stages from the farrowing house to the nursery and grow barn, leading to achieving the goal weight for slaughter. Understand different pig farming operations such as feeder pig production, farrow to finish, and finishing operations, with insights on their advantages and requirements.

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The Life Cycle of a Pig

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  1. The Life Cycle of a Pig

  2. Farrowing House • Baby pigs are born in a farrowing house. • The farrowing crate prevents the sow from stepping on or laying on the piglets. • The piglets are processed so that they can have a healthy start!

  3. Piglet Processing • Tail Docking • Ear Notching • Iron/Penicillin • Needle teeth • Castration

  4. Tail Docking • Tails are docked to prevent other piglets from biting or chewing on each other’s tails. • Prevents infection from bites • An inch of tail is left. • Sidecutter pliers

  5. Ear Notching • Used for identification • Pigs right ear is the litter number • Pigs left ear is the piglet number

  6. Iron shot • Newborn pigs have a low reserve of iron. • 1-2 CC • Without the boost of iron pigs may become anemic because sows milk lacks iron. • An injection of iron is given 3-4 days after birth.

  7. Penicillin • Penicillin is given to stop infection from occurring. • ½ CC • Usually given in the neck region

  8. Needle Teeth • These teeth are extremely sharp! • Two on each side of the upper and lower jaw • Should be clipped at the jaw line • They are removed so they do not cut other pigs or injure the underline of the sow.

  9. Nursery • After being weaned the pigs are taken from the farrowing house to a nursery. • They are separated by size and sex. • Smaller pigs do not have to compete for food.

  10. Heating • In the farrowing house the pigs were used to warm temperatures. • The temperature in the nursery is 86 degrees. • After they have been in the nursery for a week, the temperature is turned down a half a degree. • The pigs will then be used to cooler climates when they move outside.

  11. Grow Barn • After 6 weeks in the nursery they are moved to a grow barn. • They remain with the same group of pigs. • They eat from self-feeders.

  12. Goal Weight • After they reach their goal weight, they are taken to slaughter.

  13. Types of operations • Feeder pig operation • Farrow to Finish • Finishing Operation

  14. Feeder Pig Production • Fastest return on investment • Pigs are born, weaned and then sold to another farmer to grow them to market weight • Pigs are sold between 35 and 70 pounds • Startup costs are minimal

  15. Farrow to Finish Production • Most common type in the US • More costly to run but is most profitable • Additional growing/finishing facilities are needed • Operator owns hogs from birth to slaughter • Sows are bred at 60 day intervals

  16. Finishing Operation • Operator buys feeder pigs and grows them to market weight • Not very common operation • Best to buy animals from one producer to limit diseases

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