1. Managing a pig herd

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 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?