Managing a pig herdManaging a pig herd

SAPPO Training CourseSAPPO Training Course

IntroductionIntroduction

Each age group/development stage has Each age group/development stage has special management requirements to stay special management requirements to stay healthy and produce wellhealthy and produce well Breeding stockBreeding stock

Breeding giltsBreeding giltsPregnant and lactating sowsPregnant and lactating sowsBoarsBoars

Young stock from birth to point of saleYoung stock from birth to point of salePiglets before and after weaningPiglets before and after weaningWeaners and growersWeaners and growers

Breeding stockBreeding stock

Their wellbeing and continued high Their wellbeing and continued high production depends onproduction depends on Housing Housing NutritionNutrition Good breeding management (service, Good breeding management (service,

farrowing)farrowing) Health care (vaccination, parasite control)Health care (vaccination, parasite control)

Introducing giltsIntroducing gilts

Gilts are usually selected when they are 4-6 Gilts are usually selected when they are 4-6 months oldmonths oldAt 6-7 months, vaccinate for At 6-7 months, vaccinate for E. coliE. coli and and erysipelas, leptospirosis, parvovirus, with a erysipelas, leptospirosis, parvovirus, with a booster 4-6 weeks later for both vaccinesbooster 4-6 weeks later for both vaccinesTreat for mange and wormsTreat for mange and wormsFeed Feed ad libad lib until served until servedPut them in a pen next to a mature boar to Put them in a pen next to a mature boar to stimulate them to come on heatstimulate them to come on heatBreed at 7-8 months, modern breeds should Breed at 7-8 months, modern breeds should weigh at least 120 kg at serviceweigh at least 120 kg at service

Breeding gilts and sowsBreeding gilts and sows

Females come on heat every 3 weeksFemales come on heat every 3 weeks

When on heat they will stand firm to hand When on heat they will stand firm to hand pressure on the middle of the backpressure on the middle of the back

Females are taken to the boar for serviceFemales are taken to the boar for service

Observe mating – the boar should remain Observe mating – the boar should remain mounted and ejaculating for at least 5 minutesmounted and ejaculating for at least 5 minutes

Remove sow after service and repeat 12 and 24 Remove sow after service and repeat 12 and 24 hours later – can use a different boar if available hours later – can use a different boar if available to get larger litters to get larger litters

Breeding sowsBreeding sows

Sow on heat stands Sow on heat stands firm to pressurefirm to pressure

Normal matingNormal mating

Pregnant sowsPregnant sows

Pregnancy lasts about 115 daysPregnancy lasts about 115 days

Observe served sows for signs of heat Observe served sows for signs of heat especially about 3 weeks after first especially about 3 weeks after first service, and repeat service if necessaryservice, and repeat service if necessary

Vaccinate with Vaccinate with E. coliE. coli 2-3 weeks before 2-3 weeks before farrowing date and treat for worms, lice farrowing date and treat for worms, lice and mangeand mange

Pregnant sowsPregnant sows

Check for Check for constipation – constipation – straining, small hard straining, small hard faeces or nonefaeces or none

Feed green feed and Feed green feed and wet bran to prevent or wet bran to prevent or correct constipationcorrect constipation

Farrowing Farrowing

Put sow into farrowing pen about a week before Put sow into farrowing pen about a week before due date and supply lots of beddingdue date and supply lots of beddingStand by during farrowing to help if needed but Stand by during farrowing to help if needed but do not interfere if process is normal – piglets do not interfere if process is normal – piglets born 1-2 at a time at about 10-15 minute born 1-2 at a time at about 10-15 minute intervalsintervalsDo not break the umbilical cordDo not break the umbilical cordCan rub and dry piglets and remove membranes Can rub and dry piglets and remove membranes from facefrom faceFoster the bigger piglets from large litters with Foster the bigger piglets from large litters with sows with smaller litters if necessary sows with smaller litters if necessary

FarrowingFarrowing

Unsupervised farrowing can lead to lossesUnsupervised farrowing can lead to losses

During lactationDuring lactation

Increase the sow’s feed to 2-3 times the normal Increase the sow’s feed to 2-3 times the normal amount, observe for weight loss and give more if amount, observe for weight loss and give more if necessarynecessaryFeed at least 3 times a day to prevent excessive Feed at least 3 times a day to prevent excessive intake at any one timeintake at any one timeEnsure that unlimited water is available, lactating Ensure that unlimited water is available, lactating sows can drink at least 30 litres per daysows can drink at least 30 litres per dayWean piglets at 4-6 weeksWean piglets at 4-6 weeksSow can be served at first heat after weaning if Sow can be served at first heat after weaning if she is in good conditionshe is in good condition

During lactationDuring lactation

Sow should not Sow should not appear thin as piglets appear thin as piglets grow – the sow in the grow – the sow in the picture at the bottom picture at the bottom is much too thinis much too thin

Managing the boarManaging the boar

Treat at least 4 times a year for mange, lice and Treat at least 4 times a year for mange, lice and wormswormsBreed from about 10 months of ageBreed from about 10 months of ageLet him serve a quiet sow first if possibleLet him serve a quiet sow first if possibleDo not overwork – not more than 3-4 services Do not overwork – not more than 3-4 services per weekper weekCull when lame, overweight, or not siring good Cull when lame, overweight, or not siring good litterslittersAvoid boar serving own daughters as it leads to Avoid boar serving own daughters as it leads to inbreeding inbreeding

Managing the boarManaging the boar

A good boar is a valuable assetA good boar is a valuable asset

Care of pigletsCare of piglets

Most piglet deaths occur in the first 3 days Most piglet deaths occur in the first 3 days of lifeof life

Major causes are cold, starvation, Major causes are cold, starvation, accidentsaccidents Supply a warm creep areaSupply a warm creep area Make sure that the piglets are suckling wellMake sure that the piglets are suckling well Provide a farrowing rail or deep straw to Provide a farrowing rail or deep straw to

enable the piglets to get away from the sow enable the piglets to get away from the sow so that she will not accidentally lie on themso that she will not accidentally lie on them

Creep areaCreep area

Deep bedding Deep bedding

Deep bedding provides warmth and protectionDeep bedding provides warmth and protection

Care of pigletsCare of piglets

Piglets may also die as a result of Piglets may also die as a result of infectious diseases or birth defectsinfectious diseases or birth defects Ensure good hygiene in the farrowing penEnsure good hygiene in the farrowing pen Disinfect the navel and feet with iodine on the Disinfect the navel and feet with iodine on the

day of birthday of birth Vaccinate and treat the sow for parasites as Vaccinate and treat the sow for parasites as

described beforedescribed before Make sure that the piglets suckle as soon as Make sure that the piglets suckle as soon as

possible to take in colostrum possible to take in colostrum Avoid inbreedingAvoid inbreeding

SucklingSuckling

Piglets and sow Piglets and sow should be calm and should be calm and happyhappy

Piglets not suckling Piglets not suckling and hard red teats = and hard red teats = mastitismastitis

ProceduresProcedures

Injection with ironInjection with iron

CastrationCastration

TattooingTattooing

Pigs are tattooed at Pigs are tattooed at weaningweaning

Care of weanersCare of weaners

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

Mixing littersMixing litters

If possible mix piglets of the same size, If possible mix piglets of the same size, age, sexage, sex

To prevent excessive fightingTo prevent excessive fighting Provide enough space for them to move apartProvide enough space for them to move apart Make sure there is plenty of space at the Make sure there is plenty of space at the

feederfeeder Provide “toys” – pieces of old motor tyres, Provide “toys” – pieces of old motor tyres,

sacking, branches – to occupy themsacking, branches – to occupy them

Any questions?Any questions?