Pork Production Operation Types

Farrow Weaner Finisher Farrow to Wean Farrow to Finish

Farrowing Operation Housing of Sows and Gilts Breeding Sows and Gilts (A.I. or Natural) Gestation Crates used to ensure pregnancy Group Housing after 4 weeks Farrowing Crates prior to farrow

Why are Gestation Crates Used? Pigs can be aggressive animals when housed in pens as a group Dominance results in severe bites and no access to food Gestation stalls provide protection from dominant pigs and ensure equal feed distribution

Individual Computerised Feeding ID tag identified by sensors in feeder Group feeding using floors or troughs Feeding pens with individual stalls pigs enter one at a time to access feed Gestation Stalls are now banned in the UK Alternatives to Gestation Crates

Why are Farrowing Crates used? Crate systems consistently gave higher numbers of piglets weaned per sow per litter Prevention of sow overlay (when a sow lays on piglets) Better pen hygiene therefore less disease Easier access to piglets and sow

Alternatives to Farrowing Crates

Husbandry for Piglets Iron injection –200 mg/ml Iron Dextran Injectable –Housed outdoors, piglets may acquire sufficient supply of iron from soil Teeth Trimming and Tail docking –Prevents sow injury and cannibalistic behaviour later on Castration –Prevents young males from acquiring male characteristics, ex. Boar taint

Tooth nipper syringes Scalpel and blades

Castration 4 days Male pigs (boars) can fight causing injury to one another Castrated pigs are quieter and easier to handle Castrated pig puts on more fat and the meat does not have a strong piggy smell (boar taint)

After weaning…. Vaccination and Re-breeding of Sows Heat can be detected 4-7 days after weaning –Bred by Boar or A.I. Sows placed in gestation stalls Placed in group pens after pregnancy is confirmed (6 weeks)

Weaner Operation Weaned between days –E.U. minimum 4 weeks Trend is going towards later wean age: –Heavier weaned pigs finish better –More time for sow to heal before being re-bred –Split weaning can be beneficial, with heavier pigs removed, smaller pigs can gain faster

ISO-Weaner Barn Isolation – weaner barn 16 feet 20 feet piglets per room

Vaccination Hypodermic syringe Needles Common needles gauges range from 7 (largest) to 33 (smallest) Gauge refers to diameter of needle

Identification Replacement Gilts are identified using ear notches

Market hogs are identified using shoulder slap tattoo Tattoo will be the premises identification number 5 digits, with the last digit corresponding to province Black food grade tattooing ink Finished Hogs