GOOD MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR PROFITABLE PIG REARING IN INDIA

GOOD MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR PROFITABLE PIG REARING IN INDIA

Compiled & Edited by-

DR. S. SHEKHAR, Master trainer,Kaushal Vikash ,pune

 

Piggery farming has been recognized as one of the profitable venture among the rural masses. This venture has proved to be one of the most important livelihood option.

Animal husbandry and livestock sectors are critical for rural livelihood and economic development of the country. India possesses one of the largest livestock wealth in the world and a quarter of the agricultural gross domestic product is contributed by the livestock sector. Among the livestock species, pig finds an important place as it being reared by socio-economically weaker sections of the society. Pig as compared to other livestock species has a great potential to contribute to faster economic return to the farmers, because of certain inherent traits like high fecundity, better-feed conversion efficiency, early maturity and short generation interval. Pig farming also requires small investment on buildings and equipments. It has immense potential to ensure nutritional and economic security for the weaker sections of the society.

 

In India Pig Farming sector is highly un-organised and some of the salient features are following .In India, 70% of the pig population is reared under traditional small holder, low-input demand driven production system, except for limited number of semi-commercial pig farms in Kerala, Punjab and Goa. The typical production system consists of a simple pigsty and feeding comprises locally available grains, vegetables and agricultural by-products along with kitchen waste. Pork consumption being popular among select populations, improved pig husbandry programmes and pig-based integrated fish farming have significantly contributed in the poverty alleviation strategies of the Government. Distribution of pig population across the country is not uniform, for instance, thick population of pigs is recorded in the eastern (2.8 million) and north-eastern (4.5 million) states; highest population is in Asom (2 million), followed by Uttar Pradesh (1.35 million), West Bengal (0.82 million), Jharkhand (0.73 million) and Nagaland (0.70 million). Most of the pig population is again in the tribal belts of the country where the people are non-vegetarian.  Breeding Level : Over 20% of the pigs kept in India are crossed with exotic breeds, but with a large amount of inbreeding because of nonsystematic breeding and selection. In nutshell, the pig rearing is still unorganized venture that requires science and technology driven support to make it a vibrant enterprise.

 

Salient features of Pig production system in India

 

• Pig farming has been adopted by small and landless farmers, and in tribal areas.
• • Production is small-scale, backyard, marketed-oriented enterprise.
• • Pigs are mainly dependent on locally available feed resources/vegetations, crop residues and kitchen waste which are of low or no cost.
• • It is low-external input activity relying mainly upon women’s labour for rearing
• • There is lack of proper housing and shelter under low-input traditional system thus exposing pigs to adverse weather conditions like high temperatures and rain.
• • Most of pig sty are located in backyard of house and the unhygienic conditions of these building predispose pigs to diseases.
• • Best breeding stock rarely goes to the market, resulting in the use of a foundation stock with poor breeding qualities.
• • There is nonutilization of improved breeds from government farms and increased use of own stock and that of neighbors, which gives rise to inbreeding and consequently low productivity (Nath et al., 2013).
• • A wide gap still exists between the need/demand and availability of pork. The major reason is that the pigs reared by the farmers are of the nondescript local breed, whose growth rate is claimed to be poor, and hence, their production is hardly adequate.
• • Producers have inadequate knowledge about feeding, health care and breeding management
• • The commercial pig production system in India is characterized by improved crossbred/ exotic breeds of pigs that are bred and reared under confinement.

 

Inherent merits of Pig farming

 

In comparison to other livestock species, pig rearing has higher potential to contribute to more economic gain for small, marginal farmers or rural poor belonging to the lowest socioeconomic strata due to its following advantages: • Better feed conversion efficiency of pigs i.e. they attain more unit weight gain per kg of feed consumed as compared to other meat producing animals except broilers.

• Higher fecundity in pigs – Sows produce 6 – 12 piglets in each farrowing.

• Pigs reach sexual maturity at an early age. A sow can be bred as early as 8 – 9 months of age and can farrow twice in a year under optimal management conditions.

• Pigs have shorter generation interval as compared to other classes of livestock

• Offers quick returns since the market weight of 60-90 kg can be achieved in a period of 7-10 months.

• One of the few livestock animals where nearly all parts of the animal can be consumed by the farm family and/or sold

• Converts damaged feeds which are either not edible or not very palatable to human beings into valuable nutritious meat.

• Apart from providing meat, it is also a source of bristles and manure

• Can survive and grow on wide variety of feed stuff viz. grains, vegetables, fruits, fodder, sugarcane, kitchen waste

• Offers employment opportunities to seasonally employed rural farmers and supplement income to improve their living standards

• Require little initial investment on building and gear.

• Pigs can be raised for their entire lifetime in enclosure as they do not contribute to loss of grazing lands.

• Pig products range from primary commodities such as pork, to processed food products such as sausages and smoked hams to cooked salted ears, eaten as snack foods.

• Demand for pig’s fat in poultry feed, soap, paints and other chemical industries.

• The small scale pig sector has seemingly greater potential to reduce poverty .

 

Feeding Pigs

The pig is omnivorous and can eat meat and plants. The digestive system of the pig can also use bulky feeds containing a lot of roughage. Pigs must have plenty of clean, fresh water every day.

Types of feed to give to pigs

Pigs will eat anything. They will eat grass and all types of plants. They can be kept in a well fenced field where they will eat all of the plants and grass there. The pig not only eats the green parts of plants but will also dig into the ground and eat all the roots. A pig with a nose ring cannot root up plants.The pig’s eating habit can be used by man. If a pig is put in a field it will clear it, plough it and fertilize it.

Pigs will grow and get fat more quickly if they are fed concentrate feed. Grain which has been well ground into meal is a good feed. Waste vegetables and household scraps can also be given to pigs. Household scraps, especially those containing meat, must be well boiled (pig swill) before being given to the pig. The pig must always be able to drink fresh clean water. A sow with young will need 20 – 30 litres of water a day.

How often will a pig need feeding ?

Pigs can be kept in a sty when they will need to be fed twice a day with one feed in the morning and one in the evening. Pigs in the field can be offered meal once a day or given extra feed, e.g. vegetable waste or swill, when it is available.

Weaning

Piglets show an interest in solid feed when they are 1 or 2 weeks old. They can be offered a handful of cereal, sugar or powdered milk to start with. Piglets will take milk from the mother until they are about 7 weeks old. They will gradually take less milk and eat more solid feed until they are weaned. Piglets in the field will naturally start to eat solid feed but it must be offered to those that are housed. The young animals need to be gradually given new feed to avoid digestive problems.

Remember that a pig should rush to eat its feed. Lack of interest in feed is a sign of ill health and you will need to look at the animal to determine the cause of health problems.

Housing for Pigs

Pigs can be kept in a field where there is a shelter or they can be kept in a pig sty. Pigs should not be allowed to wander about free. There will be no control over what they eat or where they go and disease will spread.

Keeping pigs in a field

Wild pigs live amongst bushes and the roots of tress. When pigs are kept with access to a warm, low area to lie and sleep in, as they would in the wild, the pigs do better. Pigs can be kept in a field where they can feed on grasses and plants. If pigs are kept this way, the field must be surrounded by either a strong fence or a wall. Pigs will push their way out of a field if the fence is not strong enough. The animals are given shelters called pig arks to sleep in. These can be made of wood or metal sheets and should contain bedding. The arks can be moved to fresh ground when necessary.

Housing and Pens for pigs

Pigs can be kept alone or in small groups in a pig sty, a concrete or solid floored pen with a low shelter. When building a sty you should choose an area which is never flooded in the rainy season. It should not be too near to houses so that smells and flies are a nuisance. The floor should be concrete and sloping away from the sleeping area so that urine flows out and away. The concrete floor should be laid on a good foundation and will need to be 5 – 6 cm thick. If the concrete is too thin and cracks, the pigs will soon start to dig it up. An earthen floor cannot be kept clean and will lead to problems with parasites and other diseases. The walls of the sty need to be fairly smooth so that they can be kept clean. Cracks in the walls will allow dirt and germs to accumulate.

The animals should be given plenty of bedding in the shelter. Pigs will always dung away from their sleeping and feeding areas. The dung can be removed every day allowing the pen to be kept clean and avoiding the buildup of waste and smells.

Housing for piglets

Breeding sows and their litters can be kept in sties or using the open field system. Plenty of bedding should be given to help keep the young animals warm and it must be changed frequently. If a litter is raised in a sty, the sty should be thoroughly cleaned and scrubbed out after the litter has been weaned and moved elsewhere. If a litter is raised in the field, the shelter should be moved to a new site for the next litter to avoid disease problems, especially from parasitic worms, developing.

Whatever the housing method used, piglets should have access to a warm area which the sow cannot reach. This is called a creep and piglets can be given feed here and can lie down without the risk of the mother lying on top of them. The sow is prevented from entering the creep by placing a temporary wall of boards or strong rails across part of the shelter. The bottom rail is about 30 cm from the ground allowing the small piglets to pass under it.

Do not allow pigs to wander free around the community.

This results in the spread of disease among the animals and also between them and people

Handling and restraining pigs

 

By the time they are weaned young pigs are too big to be easily lifted. Older pigs can be moved from place to place using pig boards. Pigs are very clever and quick to learn. They can be dangerous. It is hence important to know how to safely handle young and older pigs and restrain them.

Handling the young pig

Piglets can be caught from behind and held by grasping the hind leg just above the hock. The small piglet can then be lifted by placing the other hand under the chest and lifting the animal. When holding the piglet, always support its weight against you. By the time the piglet is weaned, it will be too heavy to lift.

Handling the older pig

Pigs will naturally head for a gap (or opening) when you approach them or try to catch them. You can use this habit to make the pig go where you want it to. If two pig boards (wooden boards 0.8m square) are placed either side of the pig’s head it will move forward in the direction the handlers want it to go. As the animal gets older it can be trained to move under the control of one handler who uses a board and a wooden bat of about 1 m long.

The handler always keeps the pig board between himself and the pig. If several people try to drive a pig it can turn and charge between them.

Restraining a pig

You can restrain a pig by holding it with ropes against a wall or fence. Large pigs can be easily restrained with a rope or wire loop around the snout.

Teeth clipping in young pigs

 

The teeth of the young pig are clipped as soon as possible after birth. The piglet is born with 8 teeth. If the teeth are not clipped the sow’s (mother) udder may be injured by the suckling piglets. Removal of the teeth also prevents the young pigs injuring themselves while fighting or playing.

 

Importance of teeth clipping in young pigs

Piglets bite the sow (mother) in their fight to get hold of one of her teats and suckle. The pain caused by this disturbs the sow causing her to get up and prevent her young from feeding. The cuts to the sow’s udder also allow germs to infect the udder. In their fight to grasp the teat and suckle, piglets will also bite and injure one another. The simple practice of clipping the teeth as soon as possible after birth prevents these problems.

When should the teeth be clipped

The piglet’s teeth should be cut as soon as possible after its birth. The teeth can be cut when the pig is only 15 minutes old. The sow and her young should be separated for as short a time as possible. In order to clip the teeth you will need either a pair of tooth clippers or pliers or forceps.

You will need someone to help you separate the sow and her young. You will also need a box containing bedding and a clean empty pen.

Process to clip the teeth

• If the sow is not tied up, separate her from her young and place her in another pen. Take care as the sow with a litter can be dangerous.
• Corner the young pigs and keep them together or place them in a box.
• Hold the head and press the corner of the piglet’s mouth so that the jaws open.
• Place the clippers on either side of one pair of teeth making sure that the tongue is not in the way.
• Tilt the head so that the pieces of the teeth will fall out of the mouth.
• Cut the teeth as close as possible to the gums.
• Clean the clippers before using them on another piglet.
• Operate on the rest of the litter and when you have finished put the piglets back with their mother immediately. Keep young piglets warm.

Prospects of using Artificial Insemination technology in pig farming

 

Breeding systems in pig farming

There are two types of breeding methods viz. natural mating and artificial insemination.

In natural mating, a male (boar) of superior breed characteristics is used for mating. In field conditions, only a small section of farmers have their own boar and they are being used without giving emphasis on genetic value, breed and quality of boar. To produce better piglets with larger litter size, only the best quality breeding boar available in the locality should be used.

In Artificial insemination (A.I.), semen from a proven boar is artificially collected, evaluated for quality and deposited into the cervix of a receptive sow (during estrus period). Both collection and insemination are accomplished through artificial means. This technology provides unique opportunity for the genetic improvement of the species of animal to which it is applied. Additionally, it offers most economically sound method of maintaining genetic variability in a positive direction.

Advantages of Artificial Insemination (A.I.)

There are several advantages, but the most important ones are listed below:

1. Enables widespread use of superior male germplasm to produce genetically upgraded progenies.
2. Allows the use and transport of semen at distances, even crossing international barriers
3. Reduces risk of sexually transmitted diseases
4. Allows introduction of new genetic material. It also reduces the transmission of coital diseases and other infectious diseases like Swine Fever, Foot and Mouth Disease etc.
5. Al can be used extensively in development of rotational or terminal crossbreeding programs
6. AI overcomes size differences between boars and sows.

Estrus period in pigs

Estrus is the period during which the female pig is receptive to the male (boar) (i.e. will stand to be mated). Average length of estrus cycle in pig is 21 days with a range of 18-24 days. Estrus or heat signs remain for 2-3 days. Regular and accurate estrus detection is an essential component and a valuable tool in swine A.I. Estrus duration is variable, gilts average 38 hours and sows ranges from 50 to 72 hours. Females should be checked for estrus once or twice daily as close as possible at 12-hours interval. It is ideal to perform heat detection when the animals are relaxing during normal activities; avoid times of increased excitement or stressful situations, such as feeding.

Noticeable signs of estrus include:

1. “Stance reflex” or standing reflex: The primary sign of estrus occurs when the female stands immobile while another sow or boar mounts
2. Reddening and swelling of vulva, presence of sticky mucus at vulva
3. Increased vocalizations with erect ears, tail upright, frequent urination
4. Mounting other females and/or standing to be mounted by other females
5. Nervous and restless behavior and decreased appetite

A farmer or herds-person can perform ‘back pressure test’ which consists of applying pressure onto the females’ loin so that the sow in estrus stands rigid, arches her back and pricks up her ears. If pressure is applied to the back and the sow is not in estrus, she will move in an attempt to escape. The timing of AI in relation to ovulation is important, and the timing of ovulation so variable, that it is preferable to carry out estrus detection twice a day. Any gilt showing signs of estrus should be recorded, even if no mating is planned at that time.

 

Artificial Insemination-Important points to note

1. Timing and technique are two key factors in the successful use of AI.
2. The stockperson must mimic some of the stimulation normally provided by the boar i.e. back pressure, flank/udder rubbing. Use adequate lubrication (non-spermicidal KY jelly)
3. Strict hygienic measures should be taken while handling semen and during insemination.
4. Clean the vulva with cotton to clean away dirt that may contaminate the catheter head. Do not hold the catheter in the mouth and always use a new/sterilized catheter on each sow.

Semen quality is compromised by rough handling, temperature shock & exposure to light

Pre-requisites for AI

Pre-requisites for AI include a supply of quality pig semen, reliable methods for estrus or heat detection in the breeding sow and a means of inseminating the semen into the reproductive tract of the receptive female.

Procedure of A.I. in pigs

Make sure the sow or gilt is in standing heat. The catheter should be properly cleaned and disinfected. The lips of the vulva are gently parted, to allow the head of the catheter to be inserted and to only have contact with the interior of the vulva. The head of the catheter is inserted into the vulva (by gentle anti-clockwise twisting) and gently pushed forward and upwards at an angle of 45 degrees into the reproductive tract, being careful to miss the entrance to the bladder. When a firm resistance is felt, the catheter is pulled slightly back to achieve a firm lock. Once the catheter is firmly locked in place, the semen bag is fitted on to the catheter and raised above the level of the vulva. The uterine contractions will suck the semen out of the bag, into the uterine tract. Gentle squeezing pressure can also be exerted for proper and uniform flow of semen. Continue to stimulate the animal by putting weight on her back and rubbing her flanks. After insemination, rotate catheter clockwise and withdraw it.

Timing of AI

Timing and technique are two key factors in the successful use of AI. Accurate timing depends upon accurate estrus detection. Viable sperm must be present in the sow’s uterus before ovulation occurs. After ovulation, the oocytes (eggs) have a short lifespan of about 8 hours. Once inside the sow’s reproductive tract, sperm cells survive for around 24 hours. Ovulation timing is variable in different individuals, breeds or age groups. It is generally accepted that ovulation occurs approximately 66-75% into standing estrus. The general timing of AI separately for gilts and sows are depicted below:

Groups	Single AI after detected estrus	Double AI after first detected estrus/heat
Gilts	24 – 30 hrs (10-14 hrs after SR)	1st AI: 10-14 hrs (6 hrs after SR)       2nd AI: 12 hrs-after 1st AI
Sows	28 – 36 hrs (12-16 hrs after SR)	1st AI: 12-16 hrs (6-8 hrs after  SR)   2nd AI: 12  hrs-after 1st AI

Post-Insemination care

The catheter is left in the sow for 5 minutes to continue the cervical stimulation and maintain uterine contractions. At the end of semen uptake, the catheter should be doubled over and bound in this position to prevent prevents “back flow” of semen. Check the animal for standing heat 12 and 24 hours after the last insemination. Ideally, she will stop standing within 12 hours of insemination. Record dates of A.I., 21-day check- back date, due date, boar ID and any events like bleeding or other observations. Regular estrus detection (for non-return rate) and routine pregnancy diagnosis are advised to assess the conception and pregnancy.

Pregnancy and Farrowig in pigs

Pregnancy in pigs lasts for 3 months 3 weeks and 3 days. A well-fed sow will produce at least 10 piglets (litter) from each pregnancy and may have 2 litters each year.

Care of the Pregnant Sow

If the sow shows no sign of being in heat 3 weeks after mating she is pregnant. The pregnancy will last about 3 months 3 weeks and 3 days. During the pregnancy, the sow will need plenty of feed high in nutrients and will especially need more feed towards the end of the pregnancy. She should be given some feed high in nutrients e.g. grain and green stuffs every day. Giving the sow access to clean soil or grass with roots from land where no pigs have been kept will allow her to get the minerals she needs. Give the sow plenty of clean bedding when birth is close.

Sign that the pig is ready to farrow

The sow becomes restless and starts to make a nest within 24 hours of giving birth. The teat will produce milk when gently squeezed.

Blood stained fluid may be passed from the vagina 1 to 2 hours before birth begins and if small greenish pellets appear the first piglet will appear within an hour.

Gently rubbing the udder will make the sow relax and lie on her side in the position to give birth.

Normal Farrowing

Farrowing is a natural process and the sow will usually need no help. Once the first piglet is born the others, and the afterbirth, will quickly follow. Farrowing should be completed within 2 to 3 hours. The navel cord will break (you do not need to cut it) and the piglet will immediately search for a teat and milk. If the navel bleeds, tie it tightly with a clean string or cord.

When and How to help in Farrowing

If the sow shows all the signs of farrowing but she has not produced a piglet and is pawing with a hind leg, or if 45 minutes has passed since the first piglet appeared and there is no sign of the second you will have to help the sow.

• Wash your hands and arms with warm water and soap and scrub under your finger nails.
• Wash the region of the vulva.
• Make your hands soapy or put olive or sunflower oil on your hands.
• Put your hand into the vagina and feel for the piglet or matter causing the blockage and try to remove it.

Clear the piglet’s mouth and nose of mucous and if it is not breathing you can slap it to encourage it to breath. Gently rub the piglet dry and put its mouth on a teat.

Estrus induction and synchronization as a reproductive management tool in pig breeding

 

Optimal reproductive performance of breeding herd is important for profitable pig farming andalso for success of artificialinsemination programs. Schedule in piggery units are mainlydepended on the reproductive cycle of female breeding herd. If sufficient female breeding herd are not available for further breeding, subsequent pig production will suffer. Control of female reproduction forestrus induction and synchronization are thus considered as a criticalreproductive management tool for improving the reproductive performance in pigs.

It is ideal for pig farmers to have synchronized estrus occurring at an early period and at the same time for a group of animals as they can be bred at the same time and will deliver young ones together at the same period. The young ones will become a group of pigs that are about the same age and can be managed with the same feed housing and marketing. Reproductive performance can be improved with the use of suitableand cost-effective methods for estrus induction and synchronized breeding in replacement gilts and weaned sows that do not return to estrus when expected. Moreover, estrus synchronization can facilitate Fixed-time insemination which is a highly effective way of achieving pregnancy without reference to estrus.

 

Estrus induction and synchronization methods in pigs

Many methods based on hormonal agents are available for estrus induction and synchronization in pigs. Most of the methods of controlling ovarian activity are based on regulating events leading to follicular maturation and ovulation or altering the luteal phase. It is critical to clearly understand the estrous cycle of pigs before applying specific method. Estrous cycle, with an average duration of 21 days, is composed of comparatively longer luteal phase (approximately 16-days) and a shorter follicular phase (approximately 5 days). In the luteal phase, ovaries containing corpora lutea secrete systemic progesterone, which regulates follicular development to the medium-sized follicle stage and thusblocks the onset of estrus. At about 12–14 days of the luteal phase, uterine production of prostaglandin F2a (PGF2a) causes regression of corpora lutea and thus systemic progesterone level declines. Removing the progesterone block allows resumption of secretory patterns of the pituitary gonadotropins viz. luteinizing hormoneand follicle stimulating hormone which, subsequently allows follicular development to be completed with the estrogen production leading toonset of behavioral estrus.

Research efforts were made in past few decades for developing and validating various protocols for control of estrus and ovarian activity in pigs using exogenous hormonal preparations particularly to delay follicle development (progesterone analogues), to control follicle development (Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotrophin, Follicle Stimulating Hormone-analogues) or to induce ovulation (Luteinizing Hormone or GnRH-analogues).

Specific applications and prospects of these hormonal agents are described below.

 

Progesterone-based hormonal protocols:

Progesterone and synthetic progestogens have been used to control estrus activity in pigs. Orally active synthetic progestins or progestogens like Altrenogest or Allyl trenbolone are used for effective control of estrus and ovulation in horses and pigs. These agents can be fed orally at a dose rate of 15-20 mg per day for 18 days interval in pigs and can be used to suppress estrus in female pigs in order to facilitate induction of normal estrous cycle activity. Onset of estrus can be expected around 3-8 days after the withdrawal of Altrenogest. Use of altrenogest has been shown to synchronize estrus in more than 80% of females within 5-8 days from last feeding of the synthetic progestogen. Since estrus suppression is required only during the time of luteal regression, if cycle dates are known, costs can be minimized by feeding Altrenogest from approximately 13 days after estrus detection until 5 days before scheduled breeding. In pigs, Altrenogest is used for synchronization of estrus in sows as well as sexually mature gilts that have had at least one estrous cycle. The preparation can also be used as an alternative treatment strategy for managing anestrus in pigs.

Gonadotrophin-based hormonal protocols:

It is possible to induce follicle development, estrus and ovulation in the pre-pubertal gilt through other exogenous hormonal agents. If the cyclic status of the animal is unknown, agents like exogenous gonadotropins can be used successfully. PG 600 is one such hormonal agent commonly used in western countries, which is a combination of gonadotrophins viz. Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotrophin (PMSG) and human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG). PG600 is used to induce ovarian activity and puberty in gilts. PG 600 has also been effective in treating post-weaning anestrus in sows.

Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotrophin (PMSG) or Equine Chorionic Gonadotrophin eCG is another commonly used and effective agent for induction of follicular growth, estrus, and ovulation in pigs. It can be therapeutically used to induce fertile estrus in anestrus sows as it has the effect of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) in stimulating ovarian follicular growth. When using PMSG alone, higher doses (900 vs. 600 IU) may improve the response of parity-one sows. Higher dose of PMSG (1200 IU) given on the day after weaning is also effective in inducing early return to estrus in weaned primiparous sows.

GnRH (gonadotrophin releasing hormone) and porcine luteinizing hormone (pLH) have luteinizing hormone effect and are sometimes used to stimulate or synchronize ovulation after induction of estrus or at the first sign of estrus. The timing for ovulation induction during the follicle development stage is very important as follicle maturity changes over time. Apart from female fertility, the success of the response is also determined by the stage of follicle development.

Besides GnRH analogues, human chorionic gonadotropin and porcine LH (pLH) can also induce ovulation. Compared to pLH, hCG injection does not provide adequate synchronization of ovulation.Also, combination of exogenous gonadotrophins can be administered on the day of withdrawal of oral progesterone feeding to better synchronize estrus.In case of longer and variable wean-to-estrus intervals in a herd, exogenous gonadotropins can also be used in sows at the time of weaning. Breeding of sows over short period of 3-4 days after weaning facilitates farrowing over fewer days and helps improve the uniformity of pigs at weaning.

 

Prostaglandin-based hormonal protocols:

Luteolytic agents like prostaglandin F2α can be used for synchronization but a major constraint is that the Corpus Luteum (CL) is resistant to prostaglandin-induced luteolysis prior to day 12 of the estrus cycle and CL is sensitive only after day 12 -13 of porcine estrus cycle. A single injection of PGF2α or its analogues in pigs is mostly ineffective as this intervention will not induceluteolysis before day 12 of the estrous cycle. However, the length of estrous cycle can be reduced by2–5 days by injecting PGF2α every 24 or 36 hours between days 6 and 10 of the cycle.

Recently, it has been reported that multiple injections of PGF2α analogues can induce luteolysis before day 12 of estrous cycle and may be utilized in the development of newer regimens for ovulation synchronization and timed insemination protocols.

 

Combination of management strategies

Integration of suitable estrus induction and synchronized breeding schedules with management interventions hasbeen found to enhance the overall efficiency of the protocol. Management strategies include bio-stimulation through boar exposureand transport, relocation or mixing of breeding females. The visual and olfactory stimuli as well as physical presence of an active boar are external stimuli that the female hypothalamus translates into GnRH secretion, which eventually leads to estrus onset. Research suggests that shifting females to boar shedor vice versa improves estrus induction and detection rates. Sterile or vasectomized boar can be used for stimulation at a ratio of 1 boar per 12-15 females.

Mixing or relocation of female pigs is also a management tool that can be integrated with hormonal aids to induce puberty especially in pre-pubertal gilts. Exposure of gilts to a novel environment or a new group of pen mates is believed to have a mildly stimulatory effect on the hypothalamus. Moving gilts to new pens, increased exercise, and daily exposure to boars beginning between 5-6 months of age will help stimulate the ovarian activity and estrus onset. Group weaning is also a successful method for synchronization of estrus in sows for enabling production scheduling. However, post-weaning estrus is influenced by multiple factors like lactation length, parity, and season. Interestingly, partial weaning with or without gonadotropin treatment have also been found to induce estrus during lactation, but the results are inconsistent.

Commercially available exogenous hormones and their analogues have potential applications in the management of swine herd reproduction and have been used to control estrous cycle and ovarian activity in pigs. Hormonal strategies coupled with managerial interventions have allowed for improved reproductive performance in pigs and productivity of the farms. These tools should not be applied as an alternative togood management practices, and it is important to comply with therelevant protocols for satisfactoryoutcomes. A cost-benefit analysis should preferably be done to determine the real value of implementing the relevant strategies. Considering the productivity and farm requirement, more cost-effective and simplified protocols for estrus control can be of great benefit for pig farmers in enhancing farm profitability. Judicious use of hormonal agents through these protocols along with appropriately applied managerial tools can be of great benefit to improving productivity in swine breeding herds.

Castrating Piglets

Castration, or the removal of the testicles, is carried out on the male pig which is not needed for breeding. If the blood vessel to the testicle is cut straight through, or pulled, heavy bleeding can occur. Bleeding is reduced by scraping the twisted blood vessel with a knife until it is cut through. Castrated animals are quieter and easy to handle. The castrated animal is fatter and produces meat which does not have a strong smell.

 

Why are pigs castrated ?

Male pigs (boars) can fight causing injury to one another. Castrated pigs are quieter and easier to handle. Castrating the pig makes it put on more fat and the meat does not have a strong piggy smell. Young pigs should be castrated at 2 to 3 weeks of age.

Restraining the Pig for castration

You will need someone to hold the piglet for castration. The pig should be held by the hind legs with its head down and its body should be firmly held between the handler’s knees.

You will need a very sharp, clean knife, scalpel or razor blade. Remove the sow from the litter and if possible put her where she cannot see or hear them.

• Clean the scrotum with warm water and soap and dry it.
• Move the testicle into the scrotum with your finger and then firmly grip the scrotum below the testicle between your thumb and index finger.
• Make a cut 1 – 2 cm long in the bottom of the scrotum. The testicle should pop out through the cut.
• Pull the testicle out of the scrotum and cut through the white cord leaving the red blood vessel uncut.
• Pull the testicle out slightly further and twist it around several times before cutting the twisted blood vessel by scraping up and down with the knife. This helps to reduce bleeding. Do not pull to break the vessel.
• Do not put your fingers in the scrotum. Apply either tincture of iodine, gentian violet, Dettol or an antibiotic powder or a sulpha powder to the castration wound. Remove the second testicle in the same way.

Put the piglets and their mother on clean bedding. Watch piglets for signs of infection in the wound for the next week. Infected castration wounds swell, piglets do not want to walk or are lame.

Care of the Sow and Piglet

A healthy well-fed sow will be able to rear at least 20 piglets each year.If the sow has too many piglets to feed, or if a sow dies, the young can be fostered or hand reared.

 

How good a mother is the sow?

A sow should have at least fourteen teats which should be long and thin enough for the piglet to grasp. Each piglet suckles from its own teat feeding every hour. The first born and stronger piglets use the teats nearest the sow’s head which produce most milk. As a sow gets older and has more lifters the teats can become large making it difficult for the piglet to suckle. Sometimes the back teats do not produce much milk. A sow may be unable to feed all her young and is no longer fit for breeding.

A sow can suffer from mastitis which may develop as a result of damage to the teats caused by the piglet’s teeth. Clipping the teeth of the piglet prevents cuts to the teats.

 

Are the young feeding well ?

Not all of the piglets will grow at the same rate, some will be born smaller than the others. They fight for feed and the smaller piglets will grow at a slower rate and even die. You can expect to see a difference in weight gain and growth between the members of any litter, but if all of the piglets do not grow well and there are no obvious signs of disease you should suspect poor milk production by the mother. This is often the case with old sows. It can become necessary to foster the piglets, i.e. put them with a different sow for feeding.

Fostering Piglets

It is essential for all piglets to take colostrum from the mother. They will take the first feed within 1 hour of being born.

If a sow dies during farrowing her lifter can be fostered to another. The orphans should be mixed in with the sow’s own litter so that she will accept them. However, the foster mother will not be able to feed both lifters at the same time and it will be necessary to use several foster mothers to feed the orphans.

Hand Rearing Piglets

A sow may die and there is no foster mother available. The litter can be reared by hand feeding. To hand rear a litter the following will be needed:

• Feeding bottles and teats (nipples) which are thoroughly cleaned between each feeding.
• A clean dry box containing clean bedding for the newborn piglets which can be kept in a warm place.
• Regular feeds must be given at intervals of 1 to 2 hours.
• Cow’s colostrum is the best substitute for the sow’s colostrum and after 3 to 4 days the piglets can be given milk.

Heat (oestrus) in the sow

 

 

The female pig (sow) is ready to breed (reaches puberty) at 5 months of age and will show signs of being in heat. Some slow growing types and animals which are underfed will be older when they reach puberty. The sow will come into heat every 3 weeks throughout the year if she is not mated.

When is the sow ready for breeding?

Most breeds of pig reach puberty at 5 months of age but some, e.g. the Chinese pig, come into heat for the first time at 3 months of age when they have enough good feed and water.

The pig should not be used for breeding when she comes into heat for the first time. It is wiser to allow her to grow for another month before using her for breeding. She will then be better able to carry and suckle a good litter of young. Only sows with 14 teats should be used for breeding so that all her litter can feed.

If the pig is not mated she will come into heat every 21 days, provided she has enough feed and water.

Signs of heat

The female pig coming into heat is restless and may not eat. The vulva becomes pink and swollen. When the pig is pressed hard with the hands on either side of her back she will stand still, showing she is ready to accept the male. The sow will be in heat for 8 to 36 hours.

How to bring the sow into heat

Healthy, well fed sows can be brought into heat so that breeding can be controlled.

Putting a sow which is in heat in with those which are not in heat will make some of the latter come into heat. A better method is to pen sows next to a boar so that they can see and smell him. The sows will come into heat especially if the boar is old and smelly.

Remember that failure to come into heat can be the result of poor or too little feed or a health problem in the sow.

Internal parasites and skin infections of pigs

Internal parasites of pigs

Pigs can be infected with a number of different roundworms. These can result in poor weight gain in adults. In young pigs, infection with roundworms can cause diarrhea, weight loss, lung problems and death. Worms from pigs can cause disease in human.

Roundworm infection

Pigs can be infected with a number of different roundworms. People who keep pigs can notice large roundworms, 25 – 40 cm long in the animals’ dung. In pigs 2 to 5 months old, the worms cause diarrhea, weight loss and lung problems. The young worm lives in the liver and lungs before passing into the intestine. The damage to the lungs can allow germs to attack and cause coughing and lung infections. The young pig can die.

The worm in the liver of young and adult pigs causes white spots (milk spot) to develop. Such a liver should not be eaten by humans

 

TREATMENT AND CONTROL OF ROUNDWORMS

Infected pigs are easily treated by dosing with a suitable treatment, e.g. piperazine. The pregnant sow should be treated before giving birth or she will pass on infection to her litter. One female worm will produce a million eggs a day which pass out in the dung. These eggs infect new hosts and can stay in the ground or the pigsty for up to 5 years.

The pigsty, shelter or pen should be cleaned out and the walls and floor treated with caustic soda which is left for 2 – 3 days before washing it off. If infected pigs have been kept out in a field, the land should be ploughed and used for a crop, or as grazing for other animals, before pigs are put back on it.

PROBLEMS CAUSED BY PIG PARASITES IN HUMANS

Pigs can be infected with a parasitic worm called Trichinella. The adult worm lives in the intestine while young worms are found in the muscles (meat). It does not appear to be a problem to the pig. Any animal which eats the pig meat can be infected with the worm.

Pigs can be infected with Trichinella from eating rats which have the infection. Pigs will also be infected from contaminated meat so all meat fed to the animals (e.g. in swill) should be thoroughly cooked. Thorough cooking of pork will also kill the worm. If humans eat undercooked pig meat from an animal infected with this parasite they will become infected too.

If a pig is left to wander around, it may eat plants contaminated with human faeces. In this way, the pig meat can become infected with a tapeworm from humans. If the meat of that pig is not properly cooked, people who eat it can become infected with the pork tapeworm.

Do not allow pigs to wander around free.

 

Skin infection of pigs

Mange

Mange is caused by infection with mites and results in thickening and crusting of the skin. The activity of the mites burrowing into the skin makes the pig scratch and the wounds caused can become infected with germs. Mange occurs around the head, ears, legs and tail but will spread over the body if not treated.

Mange is controlled by spraying, dipping or painting the infected areas with a suitable preparation. The pen and shelter should also be thoroughly cleaned out and washed down. Treatment should be repeated after 2 weeks.

After working with mange pigs, wash your hands thoroughly and wash clothing too.

If you have a mange problem in your community which you cannot stop you will need to ask for veterinary advice. To identify the mite causing the problem the veterinarian will need skin scrapings from infected animals. Identifying the mite will allow him to decide what treatment you should use.

Lice and tick infections

Pigs can suffer from infection with dark colored lice which can be seen on the animal’s body. The lice feed on the skin and irritate the pig which will scratch and can cause wounds which become infected. Treatment involves spraying with coumaphos and cleaning the areas where the animals are kept.

Pigs can be attacked by some ticks which take blood. The ticks may carry other infections to the animals. Treatment can be carried out by spraying with a suitable compound or by removing the ticks by hand or by touching them with kerosene or a lighted cigarette. Affected pens should be thoroughly cleaned.

 

Erysipelas (Diamond skin disease)

Erysipelas or diamond skin disease of pigs can kill the animals. This is an infection of the pig’s body which produces recognizable discoloration on the pig’s body. These are reddish diamond-shaped areas on the skin or the animal may have a purplish color to the head and ears. Pigs with erysipelas have a high temperature and do not feed; they squeal if touched. The animal can die from an acute infection or in chronic cases the animal survives but suffers from swollen joints and lameness.

Erysipelas is treated by using the antibiotic penicillin. Animals can be vaccinated against the disease.

Reference-on request