Swine Operations
There are essentially four types of swine production: Farrow to Finish, Farrow to Feeder, Feeder to Finish. Farrow to Finish is the major production category and as the title implies, involves the processes of farrowing all the way through the finishing phase where the pigs are sent to market. Farrow to Feeder is similar in comparison to a cow/calf operation with the calves being backgrounded. Baby pigs are born, raised, and started on feeder rations where they are then shipped out to another facility for finishing. The receiving facilities are generally Feeder to Finish facilities and are responsible for the finishing of pigs until they reach optimum market weight.
Basic System Principles
Farrow to Finish - Sow and Gilt Management
Though there are no blue prints for swine operations, general principles are followed. In a Farrow to Finish Operation, sow and gilt management techniques include husbandry habits such as not breeding gilts during their first heat cycle, maintaining a 30 day fence line with the boar before boar introduction, mixing and re-grouping of gilt pens to initiate early contact with boars. Gilts should not be allowed to gain more than 80 lbs. of weight during gestation, but should put on at least 70 lbs. By contrast, sows should range between a mere 30-40 lbs. during gestation. Generally, this weight gain will pan out to approximately 4 lbs. of balanced feed per head, per day for gilts and less for sows. Pigs overheat easily due to an insulating layer of fat and housing areas should be kept at a maximum of 85 degrees F to avoid distress.
There are essentially four types of swine production: Farrow to Finish, Farrow to Feeder, Feeder to Finish. Farrow to Finish is the major production category and as the title implies, involves the processes of farrowing all the way through the finishing phase where the pigs are sent to market. Farrow to Feeder is similar in comparison to a cow/calf operation with the calves being backgrounded. Baby pigs are born, raised, and started on feeder rations where they are then shipped out to another facility for finishing. The receiving facilities are generally Feeder to Finish facilities and are responsible for the finishing of pigs until they reach optimum market weight.
Basic System Principles
Farrow to Finish - Sow and Gilt Management
Though there are no blue prints for swine operations, general principles are followed. In a Farrow to Finish Operation, sow and gilt management techniques include husbandry habits such as not breeding gilts during their first heat cycle, maintaining a 30 day fence line with the boar before boar introduction, mixing and re-grouping of gilt pens to initiate early contact with boars. Gilts should not be allowed to gain more than 80 lbs. of weight during gestation, but should put on at least 70 lbs. By contrast, sows should range between a mere 30-40 lbs. during gestation. Generally, this weight gain will pan out to approximately 4 lbs. of balanced feed per head, per day for gilts and less for sows. Pigs overheat easily due to an insulating layer of fat and housing areas should be kept at a maximum of 85 degrees F to avoid distress.
During Farrowing and Lactation -
Average pig litter are around 10 piglets, some may have more, while some may have less. No matter the litter size, sows should be allowed to farrow in crates that are large enough for them to lie down comfortably, but small enough to provide safety for the piglets. Keeping in mind that sows do not live in the farrowing crates all the time, taking care to purchase or construct crates that are adequate size ensures the livelihood of the piglets and increases the profit margin of your investment. Sows are notorious for crushing their young simply by rolling over top of them. Unlike cattle, sheep, goats, and horses, if a litter is either too big or too small, the piglets can be "mixed and matched" to other sows without any real difficulty. However, before transferring new piglets to another sow, be certain that all piglets have received colostrum before the transfer is made. After 24 hours, receiving colostrum for the first time is of no benefit to a baby pig. Like other production animals, colostrum is especially time sensitive and a necessity for a healthy life for any youngster.
Average pig litter are around 10 piglets, some may have more, while some may have less. No matter the litter size, sows should be allowed to farrow in crates that are large enough for them to lie down comfortably, but small enough to provide safety for the piglets. Keeping in mind that sows do not live in the farrowing crates all the time, taking care to purchase or construct crates that are adequate size ensures the livelihood of the piglets and increases the profit margin of your investment. Sows are notorious for crushing their young simply by rolling over top of them. Unlike cattle, sheep, goats, and horses, if a litter is either too big or too small, the piglets can be "mixed and matched" to other sows without any real difficulty. However, before transferring new piglets to another sow, be certain that all piglets have received colostrum before the transfer is made. After 24 hours, receiving colostrum for the first time is of no benefit to a baby pig. Like other production animals, colostrum is especially time sensitive and a necessity for a healthy life for any youngster.
Before farrowing, sows should be previously cleared of internal parasites, facilities disinfected, the sow cleaned and monitored for any presence of milk. If milk is evident, farrowing is within 24 hours. Parturition can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 5 hours and no two pregnancies are alike. Most sows do not require assistance and it should only be given if absolutely necessary and extreme care should be used when reaching for baby pigs internally. Aseptic techniques should always be adhered to and a sanitary, well-lubricated glove must be used to assist any birth.
Piglets
From birth to approximately two weeks of age, baby pigs are unable to regulate their body temperature, rendering them dependent on outside sources. Therefore, farrowing facilities should be maintained at approximately 72 degrees F. Heat lamps are commonly used, as well as floor heating or gas heaters. Creep areas for baby pigs should also be thermostatically controlled with a range of 85-95 degrees F.
Upon farrowing, piglets are born with 8 sharp teeth called needle teeth that may injure the sow posing a threat for infection. It is customary and important that these teeth be cut upon arrival. Piglets tails are docked to 1/4" - 1/2", navels dipped in iodine, and iron shots are administered to compensate for a lack of the mineral in sows milk and to prevent anemia. Repeat injection at 2 weeks. Castration may be done at this time as well. Ear notching is physically accepted at any time, but should be done at birth to prevent any discrepancies in litter quantities.
Scour prevention is an ongoing battle and can be managed or avoided with the use of orally administered medications and preventatives. Scours are not inevitable and generally only rears its ugly head when facilities are less than adequate. The best way to keep scours at bay is to provide, a warm, comfortable, dry, sanitary environment.
Piglets
From birth to approximately two weeks of age, baby pigs are unable to regulate their body temperature, rendering them dependent on outside sources. Therefore, farrowing facilities should be maintained at approximately 72 degrees F. Heat lamps are commonly used, as well as floor heating or gas heaters. Creep areas for baby pigs should also be thermostatically controlled with a range of 85-95 degrees F.
Upon farrowing, piglets are born with 8 sharp teeth called needle teeth that may injure the sow posing a threat for infection. It is customary and important that these teeth be cut upon arrival. Piglets tails are docked to 1/4" - 1/2", navels dipped in iodine, and iron shots are administered to compensate for a lack of the mineral in sows milk and to prevent anemia. Repeat injection at 2 weeks. Castration may be done at this time as well. Ear notching is physically accepted at any time, but should be done at birth to prevent any discrepancies in litter quantities.
Scour prevention is an ongoing battle and can be managed or avoided with the use of orally administered medications and preventatives. Scours are not inevitable and generally only rears its ugly head when facilities are less than adequate. The best way to keep scours at bay is to provide, a warm, comfortable, dry, sanitary environment.
Farrow to Finish - Boar Management
If opting to AI your pigs with outside semen, in-house boar management is of little concern to the producer. However, if using in-house boars there are certain principles that are wise to follow. Boars contribute 80-90% of sow productivity, therefore careful selection of boars is appropriate before any breeding takes place. They should be structurally sound, healthy, free of hernias, PSE, cryptorchidism, inverted nipples, etc. as all are genetically inherited, possess optimum carcass traits, and great feed efficiency. There are many places that simply lease out boars for breeding and purchase is not necessary. However, the same principles of installment apply regardless of whether a purchase or lease agreement. Boars should arrive a minimum of 60 days prior to breeding. Of these, 30 days should be spent in a pen separate from females, yet share a fence line. This is practiced to build up a boars immunity before breeding.
Careful record keeping should coincide with any breeding program to track top-producing sires and aid in choosing replacement females. Good breeding stock and premium products come from well-bred males and a carefully managed breeding system.
If opting to AI your pigs with outside semen, in-house boar management is of little concern to the producer. However, if using in-house boars there are certain principles that are wise to follow. Boars contribute 80-90% of sow productivity, therefore careful selection of boars is appropriate before any breeding takes place. They should be structurally sound, healthy, free of hernias, PSE, cryptorchidism, inverted nipples, etc. as all are genetically inherited, possess optimum carcass traits, and great feed efficiency. There are many places that simply lease out boars for breeding and purchase is not necessary. However, the same principles of installment apply regardless of whether a purchase or lease agreement. Boars should arrive a minimum of 60 days prior to breeding. Of these, 30 days should be spent in a pen separate from females, yet share a fence line. This is practiced to build up a boars immunity before breeding.
Careful record keeping should coincide with any breeding program to track top-producing sires and aid in choosing replacement females. Good breeding stock and premium products come from well-bred males and a carefully managed breeding system.