Scientific managemental practices for pig rearing

Advantages of pig farming

• Pig convert inedible feeds to valuable nutritious meat not palatable to human beings
• Fast growing, superior feed conversion ratio
• Two croppings in one year
• Great scope - increasing demand of meat and meat products
• Carcass return is quite high (60-80%)
• Faeces of pig used as manure for soil fertility

  Selection of breeding stock Important characteristics which need to be considered in developing a good sow herd are size of litters, strength and vigour of litters, milking ability and temperament Selection of gilts

1. Selection time: market weight
2. Select gilt from sows which have consistently farrowed and weaned large litter size
3. Reached market weight in minimum time and desirable market type
4. Litter mate: better weight gain and FCR (Feed Conversion Ratio)

Points to be remembered while replacing boars and gilts

• The mother of the pig to be selected should have had large litters of 8 piglets or more.
• The gilt or the boar should have reached a body weight of about 90 kg in about 6 months
• Adequate length and depth of the body, thick well muscled hams and should be firm and trim
• Should have sound feet and legs
• Gilts should have a minimum of 12 evenly spaced, functional teats. An animal with blind teats should be avoided as the defect is heritable
• Pigs should be free from other diseases and physical defects

  Feeding Management Points to be considered while formulating feeding ration

• Select most economical ingredients
• Grains (energy supplements) - maize, sorghum, oat, other millets, wheat and rice should form the basic ingredients
• Protein supplements - oil cakes, fishmeal and meat meal
• Mineral and vitamin supplements should be provided

  Age of breeding stock

• Depend more on development than age
• Delay the breeding of gilts till the second or third oestrous
• Peak period – 5th or 6th litter
• Culling – after 5th or 6th litter

  Detection of heat Vulvar swelling, vaginal discharge, frequent urination, loss of appetite and respond to back-pressure   Best time for crossing

• 2nd day of estrous,
• continue to exhibit the standing heat on the next day, should be rebred
• Not conceived even after successful mating, it is desirable to cull them

  Management at farrowing Most critical time  - death rate is high, pens should be thoroughly cleaned, substitute one-third of the regular ration with wheat bran and ration should be reduced by one third till the sow farrows   Care during farrowing Attendant should be present, piglets kept warm till  farrowing is complete, cleaned of all mucus, navel cord tied  2-5 cm away from the navel, and cut taking appropriate measures and allowed for nursing  

Raising orphan piglets

Foster mother, Milk replacer: one egg yolk thoroughly mixed with one litre of cow milk. To compensate for the lack of iron one eighth teaspoon-full of ferrous sulphate may be added to one litre of milk ***The male piglets not selected for breeding may be castrated when they are three to four weeks old*** Weaning (Separation of piglets from mother): Normal weaning age: 8 weeks and Nowadays: 45 days or early weaning. Advantages of early weaning: Piglets heavier and more uniform in size, maximum milk flow about 3 weeks, better disease control and less weight loss of the sow   Disease management General measures for prevention of contagious diseases

• Identification and isolation of infected and in contact animals
• Treatment of affected animals
• Slaughter of animals suffering from incurable diseases
• Disposal of dead animals either by burning or deep burial
• Proper disposal of contaminated water
• Regular disinfection of shed and its premises with 1-2 % phenyl
• Restrict the movement of animals from affected to clean area
• Do not allow animals to drink water from ponds, rivers etc. during outbreak of disease
• Close animal markets, animal shows etc. during outbreak of disease
• Regular spraying of insecticide to control external parasites
• Regular de-worming to control internal parasites
• Avoid areas associated with long distance transportation, inclement weather and under nutrition
• Provide adequate ventilation and sunlight
• Provide ample fresh and clean water
• Provide sufficient quantity of balanced ration
• Avoid overcrowding
• Keep the animal house clean and dry
• Give enough exercise to animals

  Ebibeni Ngullie1, Bhaskar Bora2 and Anamika Sharma3

1. SMS (Animal Science), KVK, Dimapur
2. SRF, NICRA
3. PC, KVK Dimapur