PIGGERY 

Apart   from   extensive   management system, there may also be semi-intensive and intensive management system. In the summer, water is used to create an area for the pigs to wallow and remain cool in the heat. Pigs are like dogs and are not able to sweat to regulate their body temperature.

Once a sow (female pig) has been serviced by the boar (male pig) or artificially inseminated the gestation period will last 3 months, 3 weeks and 3 days. A sow can give birth to two litters a year. Sows give birth in a farrowing house which contains individual farrowing crates to protect the piglets. These protect the mother and piglets during birth and while they are suckling.

Piglets are born with teeth and may have these clipped or ground to protect the sow's teats and udder. This also reduces the injury of piglets when they are playing with each other.

After about 4 weeks, once weaned, the piglets leave the sow to be reared in separate accommodation.

Adult pigs will feed on cereals such as corn and soya for carbohydrate and protein. Their diet can be supplemented with vitamins and minerals.

Daily Routine Operations: Water should be provided first in the morning. Water should not be added to the left over in the trough. If medication is administered, such as antibiotics, it should be added to water in a separate container.

Terms used in pig management

Sow: adult female pig

Piglet: young pig

Hog: castrated pig Farrowing: act of giving birth. Litter: group of pig

Some Diseases in Pigs External  parasites  such  as  mite and mange: Mange is a skin disease, also caused by mite. To control it, the pig should be sprayed with Asuntol and inj ected with Ivomac. Internal   parasites:   roundworms, lungwonns. It can be controlled with Piperazine dewomer. Bacterial diseases: tuberculosis, mastitis, trypanosomiasis. For treatment, contact a veterinary Metabolic disorder: piglet anaemia. For treatment, contact a veterinary