PIGS

Updated May 2007

Acknowledgments The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries www.dpi.qld.gov.au NSW Dept of Primary Industries http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/ Stock Feed Manufacturers Council of Australia http://www.sfmca.com.au For additional information on animal health, exotic diseases or biosecurity issues, contact the DPI&F Call Centre on 13 25 23 (Queensland residents) or +61 7 3404 6999 (non-Queensland residents) between 8am and 6pm weekdays, or email [email protected]

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VITAL SIGNS........................................................................................................3 POINTS OF THE PIG ...........................................................................................3 PIG TERMINOLOGY ............................................................................................4 PIG TYPES ...........................................................................................................4 PIG BEHAVIOUR..................................................................................................5 PIG HANDLING.................................................................................................5 IDENTIFICATION OF PIGS..................................................................................7 DENTITION AND AGING .....................................................................................8 BODY CONDITION SCORING .............................................................................9 FEEDING AND NUTRITION...............................................................................11 Water...............................................................................................................11 SIGNS OF ILL-HEALTH .....................................................................................12 VACCINATIONS .................................................................................................12 Leptospirosis ...................................................................................................12 Porcine parvovirus...........................................................................................12 Erysipelas........................................................................................................12 INTERNAL PARASITES (WORMS)....................................................................14 Large roundworm ............................................................................................14 Kidney worm....................................................................................................14 Sparganosis ....................................................................................................14 Whipworm .......................................................................................................15 Nodule worm ...................................................................................................15 Threadworm ....................................................................................................15 Red stomach worm .........................................................................................15 Lungworm........................................................................................................15 Thorn-headed worm ........................................................................................15 Large stomach worms .....................................................................................15 Control of worms.................................................................................................16 EXTERNAL PARASITES ....................................................................................21 Sarcoptic mange .............................................................................................21 BREEDING NOTES............................................................................................23 SOW AND LITTER CARE ...............................................................................23 THE HOBBY PIG ................................................................................................27

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VITAL SIGNS Resting vital signs Temperature: Heart rate: Respiratory rate:

39.3ºC 60 - 90 beats/min 8 - 18 breaths/min

Temperature can be taken by inserting a thermometer into the anus and resting it against the rectal wall. Ensure you keep hold of it or attach string to prevent it disappearing. A glass thermometer (needs shaking down first) or a digital thermometer can be used, both should be lubricated before insertion (spit, water, vaseline). Digital thermometers provide a reading much more quickly and are easier to read. Heart rate can be felt (or listened to with a stethoscope) left side of chest. Pulse is difficult/impossible to feel – femoral artery inside hindleg. Respiration is counted by watching the rise and fall of the ribs and flank area. Normal resting breathing is gentle and rhythmic without effort.

POINTS OF THE PIG

Females have two parallel rows of mammary glands under the belly (3 – 10 pairs).

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PIG TERMINOLOGY Swine, hogs Alternate general names for pigs, especially U.S. Gilt Young female, not had her first litter but may be pregnant Sow Female after first litter Boar Adult male Farrow Act of giving birth Piglet Unweaned pig Weaner Weaned pig Grower From weaning to about 18 weeks of age (20-50kg live weight) Finisher Last growth phase before slaughter (50kg plus)

PIG TYPES In Australia, pigs are used only for meat (pork) production and related byproducts. Hence they are often described by meat-specific terms like baconer, porker. Intensively farmed commercial pigs are predominantly white with pink skin and most are crosses of Landrace and Large White, with some addition of e.g. Duroc or Hampshire. Non-intensive commercial piggeries and hobby farmers often keep the traditional breeds, such as Berkshire (almost black), Wessex Saddleback (black with white saddle), Tamworth (red). There is a type of small pig (miniature pig, Australian companion pig) popular as a pet. However “miniature” is a misnomer because they can grow to more than 100kg.

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PIG BEHAVIOUR Pigs are social animals and live in small family groups. They are active and alert with a good appetite and firm dung. They squeal in fear or anger, grunt when contented or disturbed. If running free-range, pigs need protection from sun, wind and rain but will spend much of the day foraging, which includes rooting in soil with their sensitive snouts, and eating or chewing at objects and materials in their paddock. They wallow in mud and water to cool off and protect their skins, and dung in an area well away from their other activities. They are inquisitive by nature, playful with others and interested in people or anything novel in their surroundings. They need environmental enrichment and should not be kept on their own unless unwell. If straw or hay is available as bedding, pigs will spend a long time arranging it into a nest before burrowing into it to sleep. Before farrowing, sows spend much time looking for a suitable nesting site and collecting nesting material. Intensive piggery environments prevent most of these natural behaviours.

PIG HANDLING Most domestic pigs are quite tame and easily handled – although some strains are more nervous than others. Individuals can be trained to a chest harness and lead. They respond well to a calm voice and gentle touch, but react badly to rough handling and become very vocal if stressed or in pain. Food is one of the best restraints for pigs if they are otherwise comfortable around humans. Pigs always move away from walls toward openings so are easily directed to move by urging with hand or voice and a solid piece of board (a pig board) held at the side, rear or front of them.

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If physical restraint is necessary, small pigs can simply be picked up and held – but not by one leg or the ears. Heavier pigs are best restrained in a small pen, stall or race. Additionally they can be held with a snout or snubbing rope, which is a loop of rope placed around the upper jaw behind the tusks, the free end then being tied to something solid. There are various commercial pig (hog) catchers which operate on the same principle.

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IDENTIFICATION OF PIGS Identification is by ear notching, ear tattoos or ear tags. Notching is the commonest in commercial pigs, it is done with special pliers when the piglets are a few days old. The notches correspond to numbers indicating the dam, litter, birth week etc. Pigs can also identified by a body tattoo, commonly applied with a slap tattooing iron. The inked spikes form a number in dot-to-dot fashion and the iron is “slapped” on the rump or shoulder of the pig.

NLIS. The National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) is being implemented in pigs from the beginning of 2007. It requires all owners of one or more pigs to obtain a Property Identification Code (PIC) from the DPI & F. Pigs being moved must be identified with a slap tattoo brand (if over 30kg) or an ear tag carrying the PIC. More information from DPI & F on 132523.

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DENTITION AND AGING Pigs have 28 deciduous teeth (2 x Incisors 3/3, Canines 1/1, Premolars 3/3) and 44 permanents (2 x Incisors 3/3, Canines 1/1, Premolars 4/4, Molars 3/3). Eruption times are highly variable. A general guide from time of eruption to being in wear:• deciduous incisors birth to 2 weeks • deciduous canines present at birth • deciduous premolars 2 weeks to 8 months • permanent incisors 8 to 18 months • permanent canines (tusks) 8 to 12 months • permanent premolars 12 to 16 months • permanent molars 4 to 22 months

Photo courtesy Colorado State University (RA Bowen)

Teeth care Pigs are born with up to 8 needle teeth (deciduous incisors and canines) which traditionally were clipped to prevent injury to the sow’s udder or other piglets. However, the procedure can result in gum damage and infection and poor-doing piglets and is no longer routine in all piggeries. The tusks (canine teeth) of mature boars usually do need to be cut above the level of the gum line to prevent injury to other animals and humans.

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BODY CONDITION SCORING By sight alone, any visible suggestion of ribs or spine means a pig is too thin. However, body condition scoring is a more formal way of assessing whether pigs are being adequately fed.

It is done by pressing on the pig’s pin bones and estimating how long it takes to feel them. 2 seconds equals a fat score of 2, 3 seconds a fat score of 3, etc. Note also the amount of fat cover inside the hind legs and on the tail setting. The diagram shows other locations where condition is assessed. The technique is summarised in Table 1. 0 and 5 scores are extreme. Most commercial breeding sows are in condition 3 at farrowing. Table 1. Condition scoring guide Score

Appearance

Pin bones & Loin tail setting

Backbone

Ribs

0

Emaciated

Pin bones very prominent. Deep cavity around tail setting

Vertebrae prominent and sharp throughout length of backbone.

Individual ribs very prominent.

1

Poor

Pin bones obvious but some slight

Vertebrae prominent.

Rib cage is apparent but less

Very narrow. Sharp edges on transverse spinal process. Flank very hollow Loin narrow. Only slight cover to

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cover. Cover around tail setting.

edge of transverse spinal process. Flank rather hollow. Pin bones Edge of covered. transverse spinal process covered and rounded Pin bones Edge of only felt with transverse firm spinal pressure. No process only cavity felt with firm around tail. pressure. Flank full.

prominent than above.

2

Moderate

Vertebrae visible over shoulder. Some cover further back.

Ribs covered but can be felt.

3

Good

Vertebrae only felt with firm pressure

Rib cage not visible. Very difficult to feel any ribs.

4

Fat

Pin bone impossible to feel. Root of tail set deep in surrounding fat.

Impossible Impossible to feel to feel bones. Flank vertebrae. full and rounded.

Ribs impossible to feel.

5

Grossly fat

Further deposition of fat impossible.

Further deposition of fat impossible.

Thick fat cover.

Midline appears as slight hollow between rolls of fat.

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FEEDING AND NUTRITION Pigs are omnivores but commercially are fed a mostly grain-based diet. Freerange pigs have access to a greater variety of food, including grass and other edible plant and vegetable materials, fallen fruit, grubs, worms, roots, tubers, even rodents. Note: Swill feeding is now illegal, i.e. the feeding of food waste of animal origin or which may have been in contact with or contain animal matter (e.g. from restaurants, hospitals and domestic households). Young pigs to finisher stage and lactating sows can be fed ad lib without getting too fat, but finishers, dry sows and boars should be fed according to body condition. Accurate diet formulation in commercial piggeries is high tech and critical to profitability. The mixtures used are based on cereal grains and by-products combined with protein meals and/or additional amino acids, fats and oils, legumes, vitamin/mineral premixes, dried milk products, meat meal, fish meal, salt. (Note: “Restricted animal material” e.g. meat meal, meat and bone meal, blood meal, fish meal must not be fed to ruminants). Large-scale piggeries have bulk storage for feed but smaller quantities are readily available from produce agents along with feeding instructions. It is usually marketed in bags labeled e.g. Creep Feed, Pig Grower, Pig Finisher, Dry Sow etc.

Water Water should always be freely available. Depending on ambient temperature, pigs drink between 3 litres/day (weaners) and 17 litres/day (lactating sows) with a 50% variation. Most piggeries use nipple drinkers, but they should be fitted with a fail-safe mechanism, also ensure the flow rate is set to deliver an adequate amount of water in a reasonable space of time. Troughs and self-waterering bowls can also be used, they need to be cleaned regularly and constantly checked for proper functioning. Lightweight or non-secured water containers are not recommended, pigs will very quickly tip them over. Note: Be careful not to confuse illness in pigs with water deprivation. Pigs will die of thirst within a few days. The early signs of water deprivation (so-called ‘salt poisoning’) are thirst and constipation, then intermittent convulsions. Animals wander aimlessly and seem blind and deaf.

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SIGNS OF ILL-HEALTH The following signs are abnormal and require investigation and treatment. Many will be accompanied by vital signs outside the normal limits • • • • • • • • • • •

listless and lethargic, disinterested in surroundings diarrhoea, with/without blood, mucus not eating, weight loss abnormal discharges from mouth, nostrils, ears, eyes, vulva persistent coughing, gasping or panting skin damage, bruises, scabs, abnormal growths or red blotchy patches especially on the ears wounds and bleeding tucked up appearance, stiff gait or abnormal posture excessive scratching or rubbing swollen joints or limping failure to thrive or grow

VACCINATIONS Leptospirosis Causes failure to thrive, stillbirths and abortions, high piglet death rates. Previously unvaccinated animals are given two shots, 4 to 6 weeks apart, and then every 6 months.

Porcine parvovirus Causes breeding failure in pigs throughout Australia. Vaccination routine is the same as for leptospirosis.

Erysipelas Erysipelas causes fever, diamond skin disease, arthritis, abortion, heart disease and death. Routine vaccination in growing pigs is not generally carried out, but if an outbreak occurs, all pigs should be vaccinated and another dose given 4 - 6 weeks later. Boosters every 6 months.

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Scours (E. coli) Infection with the bacterium Eschericia coli is a cause of scouring or diarrhoea in suckling and weaned pigs. It can also cause sudden death in weaners. The diarrhoea in suckling pigs is generally yellow and watery. The piglets are depressed, fail to feed and rapidly become dehydrated. Protection is by vaccination, but poor management and/or hygiene issues need to be dealt with first if they are contributing factors. To protect suckling piglets, the vaccine is given to the sow 7 - 8 weeks before farrowing and again 2 - 4 weeks before she gives birth. In subsequent pregnancies a single dose 3 weeks before farrowing will provide sufficient protection to the piglets through her milk. To protect weaners, a dose of vaccine can be given to sucker pigs one week before weaning. Other There is a vaccine against mycoplasma pneumonia, a disease that reduces growth rates and can kill pigs. Vaccines are also used as an aid in preventing actinobacillus pleuropneumonia and Glasser’s disease.

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INTERNAL PARASITES (WORMS)

Large roundworm Found in the small intestine, can grow to 400mm long and 7mm thick. Heavy burdens can block the small intestines causing loss of appetite, vomiting and death. Moderate burdens cause reduced appetite and slow growth. Young pigs are the most affected. Huge numbers of eggs can be passed out in the dung and survive for years in the environment, waiting to be accidentally eaten by other pigs. The lifecycle is 2 months, the larvae hatching from ingested eggs in the small intestine and moving to the liver where they cause damage before travelling to the heart and lungs and sometimes causing a low grade pneumonia. After being coughed up and swallowed they mature to egg-laying adults in the small intestine.

Kidney worm Grows to 50mm in length and is found in fibrous cysts in the pig’s kidneys, uterus, flare fat, loin muscles and sometimes the spinal cord. These cysts contain adult worms and a greenish pus. The migrating larvae damage the liver. In severe cases affected pigs stop growing and may die of liver failure. Cysts in the spinal cord can cause hindquarter paralysis. Larvae are either eaten by the pig or enter via the skin. They travel from the stomach wall or skin to the liver causing considerable damage before moving on to the kidney. Some larvae reach maturity in other organs and can infect unborn piglets. The larvae become egg-laying adults 6 months after infestation. Infestations occur mainly in pigs kept in paddocks or dirt pens which are not properly spelled. Both eggs and larvae are destroyed by sunny dry conditions or extreme cold. Larvae can survive 3 to 5 months in warm moist shaded soil.

Sparganosis Note: Can cause infection in humans. A larval stage of this tapeworm causes sparganosis in humans. Eating meat from infected feral pigs (including in Qld) is a particular risk. The life cycle is complex and not fully understood. The adult tapeworms can be found in dogs, cats, foxes and dingoes. Immature stages may be found in tadpoles, frogs, snakes, pigs and humans.

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Whipworm In Qld, mainly a problem in heavily stocked extensive piggeries. Adult worms live in the large intestine of the pig. They are 30mm - 50mm long, whip-like in shape and can cause severe illness with loss of weight and death. Signs include bloody diarrhoea with shedding of mucus. Eggs can live in the environment for many years.

Nodule worm Not a major parasite in Qld. Adults live in the intestines, are greyish in colour and up to 25mm in length. The larvae cause nodules in the intestinal walls making them unsuitable for sausage casings. Signs include slight diarrhoea and sometimes reduced growth rate.

Threadworm Uncommon in Qld. About 4mm long and found in the small intestine. They can cause severe diarrhoea (often bloodstained), anaemia, poor growth and high death rates. Piglets up to 8 weeks old are most susceptible. Larvae gain entry via the skin or are ingested, including in colostrum.

Red stomach worm Uncommon in Qld. Reddish, 10mm long, found in the stomach lining and can cause ulcers. Signs are mainly in adults - weight loss which can be extreme, ravenous appetite, death, which may be sudden due to perforated ulcer.

Lungworm Infestations are rare in Qld. Adults are long, white, thread-like and are found in the windpipe and bronchial tubes within the lungs. May cause pneumonia and loss of condition.

Thorn-headed worm Uncommon in Qld. Adult is whitish, very long and firmly attaches to the small intestine wall with its thorn-like head, which can result in perforation of the wall and death of the pig.

Large stomach worms Not a major problem in Qld.

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Stout pinkish worms up to 20mm long. They develop in the stomach and dung beetles are the intermediate hosts. They must be present in large numbers to cause problems.

Control of worms Routine treatment with wormicides is seldom necessary in properly managed intensive piggeries. In less intensive indoor systems, parasite control depends on hygiene, drainage and regular removal of dung. Regular wormicide treatment is more likely to be required for free-range pigs, though daily manure removal and frequent spelling of paddocks will markedly decrease dependence on these products. Table 1. Chemical control of worms in pigs (Reviewed Nov 2004). Always check the label before use of control product - follow the directions for use and the withholding period (Whp) instructions. Note: specific product queries can be directed to: DPI&F Biosecurity on (07) 3239 3970. Component

Product Name

Pest

Application Rate

Whp (days)

FOR PIGS AMEC ANTI-PARASITIC INJECTION

Intestinal threadworm, Kidney worms, Large roundworm, Lungworm, Nodular worm, Red stomach worm, Whip worm (also Pig louse and Scabies (Sarcoptic mange) mite)

1mL/33kg bodyweight

21

abamectin 10mg/mL

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(10mg/mL)

VIRBAMEC ANTIPARASITIC INJECTION FOR PIGS

Intestinal threadworm, Kidney worm, Large roundworm, Lungworms, Nodular worms, Red stomach worm, Whip worm (also Pig louse and Scabies (Sarcoptic mange) mite)

1mL/33kg bodyweight

21

DECTOMAX INJECT ENDECTOCIDE

Intestinal threadworm, Kidney worm, Large roundworm, Lungworms, Nodule worms, Red stomach worm, Whip worm (also Pig louse and Scabies (Sarcoptic mange) mite)

0.3 mL/10kg bodyweight

35

BOMECTIN ANTIPARASITIC INJECTION FOR CATTLE & PIGS

Intestinal threadworm, Kidney worm, Large roundworm, Lungworms, Nodular worms, Red stomach worm, Whip worm (also Pig louse and Scabies (Sarcoptic mange) mite)

1mL/33kg bodyweight

28

doramectin 10mg/mL

ivermectin 10mg/mL

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10mg/mL

CEVAMEC ANTIPARASITIC INJECTION FOR CATTLE & PIGS

Intestinal threadworm, Kidney worm, Large roundworm, Lungworms, Nodular worms, Red stomach worm, Whip worm (also Pig louse and Scabies (Sarcoptic mange) mite)

1mL/33kg bodyweight

28

(10mg/mL)

IVOMEC (IVERMECTIN) ANTIPARASITIC INJECTION FOR PIGS

Intestinal threadworm, Kidney worm, Large roundworm, Lungworms, Nodular worms, Red stomach worm, Whip worm (also Pig louse and Scabies (Sarcoptic mange) mite)

1mL/33kg bodyweight

28

10mg/mL

NOROMECTIN ANTIPARASITIC INJECTION FOR CATTLE AND PIGS

Intestinal threadworm, Kidney worm, Large roundworm, Lungworms, Nodular worms, Red stomach worm, Whip worm (also Pig louse and Scabies (Sarcoptic mange) mite)

1mL/33kg bodyweight

28

ivermectin

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(6g/kg)

IVOMEC (IVERMECTIN) PREMIX FOR PIGS

Intestinal threadworm, Kidney worm, Large roundworm, Lungworms, Nodular worms, Red stomach worm, Stomach worm (also Pig louse and Scabies (Sarcoptic mange) mite)

0.3331.66kg/tonne feed (see label)

7

(6g/kg)

NOROMECTIN PREMIX FOR PIGS

Intestinal threadworm, Kidney worm, Large roundworm, Lungworms, Nodular worms, Red stomach worm, Stomach worm (also Pig louse and Scabies (Sarcoptic mange) mite)

100ug/kg bodyweight

7

(14g/L)

AGROTECH AVISOL LIQUID PIG AND POULTRY WORMER

Kidney worm, Large roundworm, Lungworms, Nodule worm, Red stomach worm

5mL/10kg bodyweight (see label)

3

(14g/L)

COOPERS NILVERM PIG AND POULTRY WORMER

Kidney worm, Large roundworm, Lungworms, Nodule worm, Red stomach worm

1mL/2kg bodyweight

3

levamisole as HCl

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(14g/L)

SYKES BIG L WORMER FOR POULTRY & PIGS

Kidney worm, Large roundworm, Lungworms, Nodule worm, Red stomach worm

5mL/10kg bodyweight (max: 70 ml)

3

WORMTEC 30 PIG WORMER

Large roundworm, Nodule worm

1kg/tonne feed

0

INCA PIPERAZINE SOLUTION

Large roundworm, Nodular worms

4mL/5kg bodyweight

0

PHARMACHEMICAL PIPERAZINE SOLUTION FOR THE REMOVAL OF ROUNDWORMS FROM PIGS, POULTRY, PIGEONS & CAGE BIRDS

Large roundworm, Nodular worms

15 mL/13.5 kg bodyweight

0

PIPERAZINE WORM POWDER

Large roundworm, Nodular worms

2.5 kg/10kg bodyweight

0

morantel citrate (30g/kg)

piperazine anhydrous (172.5g/L)

piperazine citrate (450g/L)

piperazine di-HCl (530g/kg)

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EXTERNAL PARASITES Lice and ticks can be a problem in certain geographical areas and under some systems of management, but the most important external parasite of pigs is the mite causing sarcoptic mange (pig mange).

Sarcoptic mange Widespread throughout Australia but can be treated to eradication status in individual herds. The mites are tiny, they burrow tunnels into the skin and lays eggs which hatch and develop into mature mites in 10 to 15 days. They spread rapidly with close contact, including to suckling piglets. The disease causes annoyance and distress to pigs and can significantly reduce their growth rate and feed efficiency. The signs are intense itchiness and rubbing which causes reddened areas and skin lesions typically around the head before spreading to the rest of the body. The condition can become chronic in boars and sows causing damaged, hairless, thickened skin with serum oozes and crust formation including in the ears. Table 1. Chemicals registered in Queensland for the treatment and control of porcine sarcoptic mange (Reviewed Nov 2004). Active constituent Method of use Withholding period - meat (days) abamectin

injectable

21

amitraz

spray

nil

amitraz

pour on

7

carbaryl

spray

7

diazinon

spray

14

doramectin

injectable

35

ivermectin

injectable

28

ivermectin

in-feed

7

maldison

spray

7

maldison

spray sheds

Not applicabe

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Treatment schedules must be religiously adhered to if pig mange is to be eliminated. A veterinarian should be consulted in the design of individual programs. When treating pigs, ensure thorough wetting of all parts of the animal if a spray product is used. Small pigs, for example at weaning, may be dipped in a container of the prepared spray. Pour-ons are applied to the backline, but a small part of the measured dose is applied directly onto crusts and in the ears.

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BREEDING NOTES Breeding data Puberty Length of heat Recurrence of heat (if not pregnant) Length of pregnancy

5–6 months of age Average 50 hours 21 days 114 days (3 mths, 3 weeks and 3 days)

SOW AND LITTER CARE (Handout) (Based on a DPI & F Farmnote last updated April 2005)

Successful farrowing and weaning of pigs depends on hygiene, correct feeding, constant observation and proper environment e.g. temperature control. It is vitally important that water supply to the sow and piglets is adequate and clean. Depending on ambient temperature, pigs drink between 3 litres/day (weaners) and 17 litres/day (lactating sows) with a 50% variation. If nipple drinkers are used, they should be fitted with a fail-safe mechanism and the flow rate set to deliver an adequate amount of water in a reasonable space of time.

Farrowing accommodation The RSPCA is against full-confinement farrowing crates, as are most animal protection agencies worldwide. The NSW Dept of Primary Industries has published a Primesheet describing alternatives. Primefact 61 April 2006. Alternative farrowing accommodation in the pork industry. It includes information on • Farrowing crates - hydraulic crates, crates with moveable floors, hinged crates, ellipsoid crates, VIP mushroom system • Sow pens - kennel and run systems, Werribee pen, turn-around pens, sloped farrowing pens • Group housing - family pen systems, alternative system, Vastgomodel system, Thorstensson system, Ljungstrom system • Extensive systems

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The whole article is available for download as a PDF document from http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/63840/Alternative-farrowingaccommodation-in-the-pork-industry---Primefact-61-final.pdf Pre-farrowing Sows need to be in good condition but not overfat. If they are to be confined to a pen for farrowing, they should be settled in by day 110 of an expected 114-day pregnancy. Ensure worming, vaccination and mange control programs are up-todate. Depending on the type of farrowing pen used, sows may need to be washed on day of transfer. Pens should be thoroughly clean and have some system to prevent piglets being overlaid by the sow. Sows should be moved quietly into the farrowing area in the cooler part of the day. Farrowing - stage 1 One or more of the following signs indicate proximity to farrowing: • a swollen vulva • bedmaking or nesting, restlessness • an increased respiration and pulse rate • abdominal contractions 15 minutes to 10 hours before giving birth • twitching of the tail • the udder is firm and swollen. Gentle massage may allow expression of a clear fluid or milk from the teats. Farrowing - stage 2 Duration of the birth process varies depending on age and weight of sow and the number and size of the piglets. Average birth interval between piglets is approximately 16 minutes. If it is more than an hour since the last piglet was born and the sow shows signs that she still has more to deliver, assistance may be necessary. Try standing the sow and taking her for a short walk first. Manually assisted delivery requires strict hygiene and care to avoid injuring the sow. Unless you are very experienced, veterinary assistance or advice should be sought. Post-farrowing If the umbilical cord does not break within a few minutes, it can be cut leaving about 10cm to be dipped in iodine. Ensure all piglets are suckling and warm (if cold, a heater can be placed temporarily at the rear of the sow during farrowing). In about a day, if it is necessary, carefully clip eye teeth and dock tails (remove about 30% only). Should the sow die or produce insufficient milk, artificial colostrum and milk replacers are available. Iron: Unless piglets are born with access to soil, oral iron should be given within 24 hours of birth or injectable iron 3-5 days after birth. Fostering: It is often desirable to transfer piglets from large litters to a sow with a smaller litter. This should be done within 24 hours of birth, after the piglets have

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received their mother's colostrum and before the foster mother's spare teats dry off. Castration. It is no longer routine to castrate male piglets. If it is done, it should be before 6 weeks of age (5 weeks some countries), otherwise a veterinarian must perform the operation using anaesthesia (From Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals Pigs). Creep area: The creep area must be warm (24° to 29°C - high end of range for newly born), dry and draught-free. Draughts can easily reduce the effective temperature by 3° to 5°C. The sow needs a cooler temperature (about 16°-26°) and fans and drippers can assist in hot weather. Drippers may be better to use rather than spray systems, to prevent wetting too much of the piglets or the pen. The different temperature zones help reduce overlays. A source of artificial heat should be applied at least for the first week of life especially in winter. After the first week it should no longer be necessary if piglets have access to a hover, kennel or straw bedding. Note that overhead heaters may cause convectional draughts over the piglets making it essential that a hover or kennel is provided when using such heaters. Watch the behaviour of the pigs if they are huddled in a heap, they are too cold, if they are sprawled well apart, then they are too hot. Creep feed: A specially formulated creep feed can be introduced to piglets from 7 days of age. Small amounts are offered at first, either on the floor or in a shallow dish in the creep area near the sow’s trough. This encourages the piglets to copy the sow and eat when she eats. Replace fouled or stale food several times daily. A small trough or self-feeder is used once consumption increases, usually at about 3 weeks of age. When weaning at 3 to 4 weeks of age, the creep should contain more animal protein (e.g. milk powder) than vegetable protein. Watch for scouring in the piglets, this will need treatment. Fresh water must always be available. Sow after farrowing. As a guide, miss the first feed after farrowing or give only a few handfuls if the sow seems hungry. Start with 1 kg at each of the first three feeds (12, 24 and 36 hrs post farrowing), increasing by 250 g/feed until the sow is eating 6 to 8 kg/day in 2 separate feeds, plus bran if necessary to provide additional fibre. Adjust intake thereafter according to sow’s condition and number of piglets. Remove stale, spoiled or uneaten feed promptly, especially in hot weather. Sows with their first litter generally do not have as high an intake and may benefit from a more concentrated diet. More information is in the DPI & F Note Improving the reproductive efficiency of first litter sows http://www2.dpi.qld.gov.au/pigs/4540.html Weaning - the litter

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Piglets can be successfully weaned at 3 weeks of age, but it is more common between 3 and 4 weeks, even up to 5 weeks. The younger the weaning age, the greater the care needed post-weaning. If piglets are less than 5kg at weaning time and are not ill, they can be fostered for a while onto good milking sows. The most important aspect of weaning is to reduce the stress. The main stress factors for piglets are: • being separated from their mother • being mixed with strange piglets in unfamiliar surroundings • changing from a mostly liquid diet to solids. Reducing stress: Some herds allow litters to mix some time before weaning, e.g. when the youngest litter is 7 to 10 days old. At weaning, where possible, remove the sow from the piglets and leave them in the farrowing pens for a few days before moving them to weaner pens. Hygiene: Thoroughly clean weaning pens and feeders before new weaners are introduced. Feeding: To avoid contamination with dung and urine, use self-feeders or troughs instead of floor feeding. Feed small amounts often for about the first 5 days, then feed ad lib, but keep a watch for scours and ensure feed is not stale or spoiled. The water supply system should be the same in both the weaner and farrowing pens to ensure weaners know how to access the water immediately they are moved. One drinker per 8 pigs is needed, at a flow rate of 500 ml/minute. Diet change from mostly liquid to mostly solid food can cause scours so it is important that piglets are eating solid food before they are weaned. If scouring is a problem after weaning and the cause is definitely dietary, give very little food for 24 hours, then gradually reintroduce until the piglets are eating ad lib again by 7 to 10 days after weaning. Slight changes to the weaner diet itself for a few days is another way of reducing this problem – but seek qualified advice. Weaning - the sow If necessary, treat sows for mange before returning to the dry sow accommodation. They need to be within smell, sight and touching distance of a sexually mature boar to stimulate oestrus. Add a dewormer to the sow’s first feed after weaning if necessary and keep her on a good plane of nutrition with plentiful water.

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THE HOBBY PIG (Handout) (Partly based on a DPI & F Note revised October 2006)

Behaviour Pigs are social animals and in nature live in small family groups. They are active and inquisitive, playful and interested in their surroundings. They need environmental enrichment objects and activities and should not be kept on their own unless unwell. They bond quite well with other species, including humans and non-aggressive dogs. If reared free-range, they need protection from sun, wind and rain. They will spend much of the day foraging if able, including rooting in soil with their sensitive snouts, grazing grass, eating or chewing at other materials in their environment. Being unable to sweat, pigs dearly love to wallow in water or mud to cool off. They are very clean animals and dung in an area well away from their other activities. If straw or hay is available as bedding, they will spend a long time arranging it into a nest before burrowing into it to sleep. Before farrowing, sows spend much time collecting nesting material in their mouths and building a suitable nest. All farm animals should be handled quietly and with empathy, but pigs in particular get stressed from rough handling. Aside from humane considerations, this lowers their productivity and resistance to diseases. Regulations controlling the keeping of pigs Before bringing pigs onto your property, you need to contact the following: • Local shire or city council to ascertain if you need approval to keep pigs under the planning laws • DPI&F environmental officers for approvals required under the Environmental Protection Act 1994. Phone +61 7 4688 1605 • Your local DPI&F biosecurity office. Any person who runs one or more pigs is required to register their property with Biosecurity. Where to source pigs Pigs are best sourced from a reputable piggery. It is not illegal to keep feral pigs, but they are inferior in quality and size and can transmit disease to humans, e.g. sparganosis. Also, in addition to the approvals outlined above, a declared pest permit is required from the Department of Natural Resources and Mines (DNR&M) to keep them. Under DNR&M legislation, feral pigs must be properly fenced in so that they cannot return to the wild. Accommodation and nutrition Hobby pigs can be kept entirely indoors but much prefer space to graze, dig in the dirt with their snouts and otherwise interact with their natural environment. They need an all-weather shed with adequate dry bedding and preferably

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impervious flooring which can be thoroughly cleaned. Pasture rotation and spelling are very important, particularly for worm control. Most backyard pigs will need a feed supply in addition to foraging. This is easily provided by one of the commercial grain-based pig feeds appropriate to age and activity, available from most produce agencies. Growers and lactating sows can be fed ad lib without getting too fat, but non-reproducing adults should be fed according to body condition. Note that swill feeding is banned in Australia. This is the feeding of food waste of animal origin or which may have been in contact with or contain animal matter, e.g. from restaurants, hospitals and domestic households. The ban applies to pigs, poultry, cattle, sheep and goats. It is illegal because of the serious risk of introducing exotic diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease or swine vesicular disease. Should this happen, the cost to Australia and its animals would be catastrophic. If you see any pigs with foot or mouth lesions, contact your local veterinarian, stock inspector or contact the toll free Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888. Farrowing and piglet rearing See the Handout ‘Sow and Litter Care’. Vaccinations, worms, mange Pigs are routinely vaccinated against erysipelas, parvovirus and leptospirosis. A common disease of young pigs is coliform scours. Protection is by vaccination, but poor management and/or hygiene issues should be dealt with first if they are contributing factors. Large roundworm, kidney worm, sparganosis and sometimes whipworm are the main worms in pigs. Chemical treatments (wormicides) are available, but general hygiene, daily manure removal where possible and frequent spelling of paddocks will decrease dependence on them. There are various products available for the treatment of mange, but if this skin condition is a problem, a veterinarian should be consulted to design a proper control program. Movement or sale of pigs The National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) is being implemented in pigs from the beginning of 2007. It requires all owners of pigs to obtain a Property Identification Code (PIC) from the DPI & F. Pigs being moved must be identified with a tattoo brand (if over 30kg) or an ear tag carrying the PIC. More information from DPI & F on 132523.

Macintosh HD:Users:bodhimcgee:Documents:RSPCA:Content on WOAW:animals:farm-animals:pigs:pig-manual:Pig Manual.doc