1. Swine Training
Level 1
Base on:
Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Agricultural Research and Teaching
(First Revised Edition, 1999)
Swine Training Module, Released 2002

2. Outline + General features of pigs and terminology.
+ Production systems and management
practices
+ Environmental management, facilities, and equipment
+ Feeding and nutrition
+ Pig health care
(veterinary care)
+ Research procedures
+ Occupational health
and safety

3. General Features of Pigs
+ Highly adaptable
+ Intelligent and curious
+ Respond to a predictable daily routine
+ Social
+ No functional sweat glands
+ Keen sense of smell
+ Motivated to root and chew
+ Omnivorous, simple stomach

4. + Order: Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates)
Terminology
+ Order: Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates)
+ Genus Species: Sus scrofa
(domesticus)
+ Boar: intact male; Barrow: castrated
male
+ Sow: female; Gilt: young female

5. + Piglet: young pig, usually before weani•ng
Terminology
+ Piglet: young pig, usually before weani•ng
+ Weaners, growers, finishers: weaned,
growi•ng pi•gs
+ Hog, swine, and pig are equivalent
names in the USA

6. Types of Production Systems
+ Outdoor
Dirt lots
Pasture
+ Indoor
Floor type variations
Solid, with or without bedding
Partial or total slats
Ventilation variations
Open front
Curtain sided
Mechanically ventilated

7. Stages and Types of Production
Farrow-to-feeder pig Wean-to-finish
Farrow-to- finish,
Feeder pig- to-finish
+ Breeding
+ Gestation
+ Farrowing/lactation
+ Nursery
+ Growing/finishing

8. + Segregated, single-source in one room .'
Production Systems
+ All-in, all-out
+ Segregated, single-source in one room
+ Co-mingled in the same room or site
+ Continuous flow
+ Multi-site systems: One-site, two-site,
three-site production

9. Good Husbandry Practices
+ House species separately
+ Protect from extreme climates
+ Handle gently
+ Provide nutritionally balanced diets
+ Provide water ad libitum
+ Minimize number of times pigs are
moved or mixed II I I

10. Standard Operating Procedures or SOP
An SOP may be written and then
approved by the IACUC to describe common procedures, especially management procedures, such as:
Cleaning and sanitation of facilities
Feeding
Litter processing
Weaning
Transportation

11. Management Practices + Biosecurity
+ Identification and observation of pigs
+ Standard Agricultural Practices for
swi• ne (potentially painful practices performed for a
reason)
+ Handling and transportation

12. Guidelines for Swine Husbandry
+ Biosecurity
People movements and tasks
Shower in to protect pigs
Shower out to protect people
Foot baths
Sanitation
Protect feed storage sites from risks such as vermin

13. Guidelines for Swine Husbandry
Pig movements
Isolate new introductions
Evaluate risk of movement
Transportation
Drivers & handlers should be trained
Vehicle should have appropriate space and minimize potential for injury

14. 11 . I
Observation of Pigs
+ All animals should be observed twice daily, unless more is warranted
Observe general comfort & health
Recognize need for emergency action
Be sure pigs have the intended feed and water quality and quantity
Address abnormalities among pigs or facilities
+ Complete daily observation sheets,
environmental data and animal treatment records
+ Emergency contact information should
always be posted

15. Standard Agricultural Practices
+ Castration
1 to 14 days of age
+ Clipping needle teeth
(trimming or grinding)
+ Ear notching, tattoo, or tagging
+ Tail docking
Hoof trimming
Level 2 provides more information about these practices.

16. Management Systems for Swine - Weaning
Weaning can occur at any age
Under 20 days is considered early weaning;
SEW (segregated early weaning) is a special case of early weaning;
MEW (medicated early weaning) refers to the use of antimicrobials in early weaned pigs
Weaning age determines the amount of extra care required; younger pigs require greater care (warmer environment, specialized diets)

17. Handling and Transportation
+ Environmental conditions during transport
Temperature, ventilation
Floor area and surface
Sanitation
No sharp objects
+ Handle pigs calmly; use flight zone
Use a board to move pigs
Electric prods should be avoided
+ Never transport nonambulatory animals
+ Observe swine handling video

18. Environmental Management
+ Thermal environment & ventilation
+ Air quality
+ Noise
+ Lighting
+ Manure
+ Environmental
enrichment
+ Facilities &
equipment

19. Thermal Environment
+ Effective environmental temperature takes into account all modes of heat flux; consider ventilation rates, floor type, bedding, evaporative coolers, drippers

20. Thermal Environment
+Pig behavior shouId be observed to determine whether pigs are comfortable
Warm pigs spread out, increase respiratory rate
Cold pigs huddle, pile, and shiver
Specific temperature needs of pigs are given in the Ag Guide (p 73) and in Level 2

21. + Good thermal environment & air quality improve animal health
Ventilation
+ Good thermal environment & air quality improve animal health
+ The objective of winter ventilation is to
remove animal moisture and gases while
maintaining minimum temperature
+ The objective of summer ventilation is to
remove heat and gases, and water vapor will
follow

22. Air Quality + Gases + Dust (breathable)
Ammonia (irritates eyes & nose)
Hydrogen sulfide (smells like rotten eggs)
High humidity (water condensation)
Others
+ Dust (breathable)
Feed
Animal dander
Products of combustion (from gas heaters or engines)

23. + Pigs startle easily; avoid sudden, loud
Noise
+ Pigs startle easily; avoid sudden, loud
noi•ses
+ Radios can reduce pig startling
+ Excessive noise can interfere with
nursing behavior

24. + Pigs depend more on senses other than vision
Lighting
+ Pigs may be less photosensitive than some species (in terms of annual reproductive cycles)
+ Pigs depend more on senses other than vision
+ Sufficient light intensity is required for animal
observation of health and well being
•'> Pigs have no known preferred photoperiod; photoperiod may impact research outcomes

25. Manure
+ Management and facilities should have established dunging areas to permit pigs to keep themselves clean
+ Sanitation improves
Air quality
Microbial numbers
Pig health
+ Manure can be handled wet (liquid manure) or dry (with bedding)
+ Manure disposal can impact biosecurity

26. Environmental Enrichment
+ Environmental enrichment is a modification of the environment that
improves the animal's biological functioning
and, hence, its physical, psychological, and/or social well-being (Ag Guide/ p 8)

27. Environmental Enrichment
+ Pigs normally are motivated to root, chew, and
rub; thus, enrichment in the form of hanging chains or hoses or material (such as straw
bedding) to manipulate on the floor are often used as enrichment

28. Facilities and Equipment
] .
Facilities and Equipment
Minimum: 1 feeder space per 10 pigs
Minimum: 1 water space for 20 pigs
Space requirements are given in the Ag
Guide (p 75)
Crowded pigs show behavioral problems, grow slower, and have a higher injury rate than pigs with adequate space

29. + Feed quality is important:
Feeding and Nutrition
+ Feed represents a major cost, source of variation in performance, and a biosecurity risk
+ Feed quality is important:
Nutrient composition
Contaminants (microbes, toxins, molds, etc.)
Vermin control measures should be considered
+ NRC (1998) nutrient requirements of swine
should be met
+ Caretakers should make sure that pigs of a
given stage are fed the correct diet

30. Feeding Systems
+ Growing pigs and lactating sows are often fed until full (ad libitum), but can be limit-fed in research projects
+ Pregnant sows are fed less than ad libitum to
maintain body condition (not too fat or too thin) and to enhance reproductive efficiency and health
+ Feed may be provided dry or wet (mixed
with water)
+ Specific feed and water consumption estimates are given by NRC (1998)

31. + Biosecurity (covered previously) + Health program
Pig Health Care
(Veterinary Care)
+ The objective of the veterinary care program is to minimize pain and suffering and to maintain animal health and productivity
+ Biosecurity (covered previously)
+ Health program
+ Regulatory compliance
+ Signs of pain and distress

32. + Monitor health Pig Health Care (Veterinary Care)
Present status (known and unknown)
Surveillance
Necropsy
Serology
Tissue diagnostics
Performance measures
Caretaker observations
Prevent disease
Vaccination
Sub-therapeutic antimicrobials I I II

33. + Training of animal users + Regulatory compliance
Pig Health Care
(Veterinary Care)
+ Treat disease
Isolation
Individual animal treatments
Water or feed medications
+ Training of animal users
+ Regulatory compliance
FDA compliance (drug withdrawal times, following drug label requirements)
DEA compliance for controlled substances
USDA-APHIS-Animal Care

34. + Understand normal behavior (pigs not in pain)
Normal Pig Behavior
+ Understand normal behavior (pigs not in pain)
Interest in surroundings
Willingness to move around
Exploring, rooting, & chewing behaviors
Tail wagging
Reaction to handling
Vocalization when presented with feed and willingness to eat
Understand normal behavior prior to potentially painful procedures

35. Signs of Pain and Distress in Pigs + Lethargy, restlessness
+ Lack of appetite
+ Increased vocalization, especially when
palpating a painful area (pigs may vocalize at other times, when not in pain)
+ Increased aggression
+ Guarded posture
+ Self mutilation
+ Intense rubbing or scratching of skin
+ Increased or shallow breathing
+ Abnormal appearance or behavior

36. + Lameness, swollen joints, broken bones, or hoof pad damage
PainfuI Experiences
+ Lameness, swollen joints, broken bones, or hoof pad damage
+ Bitten tail, ear, or vulva or prolapsed rectum
+ Physical injuries
+ Infectious diseases
+ Rough handling
+ Certain research procedures
+ Standard Agricultural Practices (tail docking,
castration, teeth clipping, tattooing, or ear notching)

37. Blood Sampling Most common blood sampling sites
Neck (superior vena cava or jugular vein)
Ear veins

38. + Manual restraint + Chemical restraint + Metabolism stalls
PhysicaI Restraint
+ Manual restraint
V-trough for younger pigs .
Snare older animals
Self-locking head catch gate
Pig slings
+ Chemical restraint
+ Metabolism stalls

39. Examples of Invasive Research
+ Major surgery = Any surgery that penetrates and exposes a body cavity or produces substantial impairment of physical or
physiological function
+ Examples of chronic catheterization or
cannulation
Cerebrospinal fluid
Gastrointestinal tract
Bile and pancreatic excretions
Venous

40. Euthanasia
(painless, rapid death)
+Worker safety and humane euthanasia are important considerations
+Refer to the most recent AVMA panel on
euthanasia or NPB/American Association of
Swine Veterinarian's (AASV) recommendations
Carbon dioxide chamber for young pigs
Penetrating captive bolt and exsanguination for older pigs
Overdose of anesthetic or euthanasia solution

41. Examples of Research Procedures
+ Physical restraint
+ Body weight
measurement
+ Blood collection
+ More invasive
procedures
(such as surgery)
+ Administration of test compounds

42. Administration of Compounds +Subcutaneous (SC)
Lateral side of the neck
Flank
+Intramuscular (IM)
Cervical muscle groups
+Intravenous (IV)
,. Y' / : 1:. ·i <.,,
Central or ventrolateral ear veins
Jugular vein or superior vena cava
+Intraperitoneal (IP)
Injection into the main body cavity

43. Occupational Health & Safety
+Occupational health and safety is important for the well being of pigs and for people who work with animals.
+Occupational health and safety of farm
animals falls into two general categories:
Worker safety
Protection from zoonotic diseases and allergies

44. Minimizing Human Health Risk
+ People who have a healthy immune system have very low risk of zoonoses
+ Practice appropriate pen sanitation and
personal hygiene such as hand washing
+ Never eat, drink, or smoke near animals
+ Use proper personal protective equipment
(PPE; e.g., gloves, farm clothes, masks) to
lower risk of a zoonotic incident or exposure

45. General Farm Safety +Use safety procedures when lifting heavy objects
+Use hearing protection when restraining pigs
or when noisy environments are expected
+Obtain training on use of farm equipment
(e.g., tractors, hydraulics) prior to use
+Understand procedures in case of fire, natural
disaster, power failure, or other emergency situations

46. Summary & Conclusions + General features of pigs and terminology
+ Husbandry systems and management
practices
+ Environmental management, facilities, and
equipment
+ Feeding and nutrition
+ Veterinary care
+ Research procedures
+ Occupational health
and safety