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?