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Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of using purebred pigs in commercial pig production?
What is the primary purpose of using purebred pigs in commercial pig production?
- To produce crossbred sows for meat production (correct)
- To maintain uniformity in meat quality
- To enhance the disease resistance of the pigs
- To increase genetic diversity in the herd
What is the duration of the oestrus cycle in pigs?
What is the duration of the oestrus cycle in pigs?
- 14 days
- 28 days
- 35 days
- 21 days (correct)
Which of the following is a characteristic of the gestation period in pigs?
Which of the following is a characteristic of the gestation period in pigs?
- It lasts for 140 days
- It lasts for 120 days
- It lasts for 115 days (correct)
- It lasts for 90 days
Which of the following breeds is NOT mentioned as used in commercial pig production in Ireland?
Which of the following breeds is NOT mentioned as used in commercial pig production in Ireland?
How long does the oestrus period typically last in pigs?
How long does the oestrus period typically last in pigs?
Which of the following options is an important aspect of criss-cross breeding?
Which of the following options is an important aspect of criss-cross breeding?
What is the key focus when managing breeding in pig production?
What is the key focus when managing breeding in pig production?
What is the significance of calculating the number of days it takes for pigs to reach finishing weight?
What is the significance of calculating the number of days it takes for pigs to reach finishing weight?
What does FCR stand for in pig farming, and why is it calculated?
What does FCR stand for in pig farming, and why is it calculated?
How does the dry matter (DM) intake of each pig affect its overall growth?
How does the dry matter (DM) intake of each pig affect its overall growth?
What type of ration is specifically designed for pigs during their early growth phase?
What type of ration is specifically designed for pigs during their early growth phase?
What could be a consequence of feeding pigs a low-protein ration during their growth phase?
What could be a consequence of feeding pigs a low-protein ration during their growth phase?
What is a recommended strategy for farmers to monitor the overall health of pigs?
What is a recommended strategy for farmers to monitor the overall health of pigs?
Why is it critical to avoid providing materials that lead to unnatural behaviors in pigs?
Why is it critical to avoid providing materials that lead to unnatural behaviors in pigs?
Which of the following is likely to decrease with the provision of appropriate environmental enrichment?
Which of the following is likely to decrease with the provision of appropriate environmental enrichment?
What primary outcome do farmers aim for by optimizing the Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR)?
What primary outcome do farmers aim for by optimizing the Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR)?
What management practice would be detrimental to achieving an improved Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR)?
What management practice would be detrimental to achieving an improved Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR)?
What is the primary purpose of pigs exhibiting rooting behavior?
What is the primary purpose of pigs exhibiting rooting behavior?
Which stage of production requires a specific ration known to promote higher weight gain?
Which stage of production requires a specific ration known to promote higher weight gain?
What can be a direct effect of not addressing pigs' need for environmental enrichment?
What can be a direct effect of not addressing pigs' need for environmental enrichment?
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Study Notes
Pig Production and Breeding
- Purebred pigs are primarily used to produce crossbred sows for meat production, ensuring desirable traits are passed on.
- The oestrus cycle in pigs lasts approximately 21 days, which is critical for breeding management.
- The gestation period for pigs is about 115 days, important for planning breeding schedules.
Breeds and Characteristics
- Berkshire is not mentioned as a breed used in commercial pig production in Ireland, while Landrace, Large White, and Duroc are noted breeds.
- The oestrus period in pigs typically lasts 2-3 days, which is essential for successful mating.
Breeding Management
- Optimizing the timing of oestrus detection is key to managing breeding in pig production, enhancing reproductive efficiency.
- Criss-cross breeding potentially enhances offspring performance, making it a valuable breeding strategy.
Growth and Feed Efficiency
- Monitoring days to reach finishing weight helps manage feed efficiency and production schedules in pig farming.
- FCR (Feed Conversion Ratio) assesses weight gain relative to feed intake, an important metric for evaluating how well pigs convert feed into body weight.
Dry Matter Intake
- Dry matter intake directly correlates with reaching finishing weights faster, highlighting the significance of diet quality in pig growth.
Ration Specifics
- Important rations for various production stages include weaner ration, fattener ration, dry sow ration, and lactating sow ration.
- Not providing suitable rations can negatively impact growth rates in pigs.
Growth Monitoring
- Farmers can measure growth targets by calculating daily weight gain in relation to feed intake, providing insight into production efficiency.
Environmental Enrichment
- Providing environmental enrichment promotes natural behaviors in pigs, such as rooting, and helps prevent unnatural behavioral issues.
- Benefits of environmental enrichment include reduced stress, improved welfare, and enhanced growth rates. However, it does not increase disease risk.
- Lack of environmental enrichment can lead to increased risk of unnatural behaviors, underscoring its importance in pig care.
FCR and Management Practices
- The primary goal of improving FCR is to increase output while maintaining or lowering production costs, contributing to farm profitability.
- Utilizing rescue decks for weaned pigs is a recommended method to enhance FCR, promoting better weight gain and health.
- Maintaining health and disease-free animals is crucial for improved FCR, contrasting with practices that lead to overcrowding or neglect.
Behavioral Traits
- Rooting is the instinctive behavior of pigs to dig and search in the ground, reflecting their natural foraging instincts.
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