Pig terminology and numbers

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Questions and Answers

What is the term for female pigs which have not had a litter before?

Gilt

What is the term for female pigs that had at least one litter?

Sow

What is the term for uncastrated male pigs?

Boars

What is farrowing

the process of parturition Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of 'parity one gilt?

The gilt has given birth to one litter of piglets Signup and view all the answers

What is weaning?

Taking piglets off mom and switch to solid food. Signup and view all the answers

Put the following phases in the correct sequence

1 = Weaner/ weaning 2 = Grower/ growing phase 3 = Finisher/ finishing phase 4 = Chopper Signup and view all the answers

What is a barrow?

Castrated male pig Signup and view all the answers

A ________ is a company that owns everything; integrate full system.

Integrated unit Signup and view all the answers

Vets cannot visit pig farms with HIGH HEALTH STATUS within __ days if they have visited another farm.

3 Signup and view all the answers

A pig farm of conventional status has ______ biosecurity.

minimal Signup and view all the answers

What is the percentage of breeding sows in the outdoor system

40% Signup and view all the answers

UK pig industry heavily relies on artificial insemination

True Signup and view all the answers

Only genetic nucleus provides semen for artificial insemination.

False Signup and view all the answers

match the following components of the pig industry pyramid

genetic nucleus = Great grandparents; pure breeding; used for testing and selection Multipliers = Grandparents; cross breeding; expansion and selection Commercial = parents; allow maximum flexibility for different end markets Slaughter generation = sent to slaughter Signup and view all the answers

Match the following production systems

Indoor bred = Live indoors for majority of their life Outdoor bred = born outdoors, stay until weaning Outdoor reared = born outdoors; stay until they reach at least 30 kg Free-range = born outdoors; stay until sent to processing Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between free range and organic production system.

Organic pigs must be fed organic feed Signup and view all the answers

What is the risk of outdoor systems?

Sunburn Signup and view all the answers

How long is the gestation period of pigs?

115 days Signup and view all the answers

oestrous occurs every ______ year round in pigs.

21 days Signup and view all the answers

What is the a)viable b) optimal birth weight of piglets?

a) over 1.25kg; b)1.6kg Signup and view all the answers

a) commercial in the uk b)commercial pigs in some places c) organic piglets are weaned at how many days?

a) 28 days/4 weeks b)21 days/ 3 weeks c)6-8 weeks Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of weaning?

induce oestrus; reduce loss of condition in sows. ultimate goal: allow the sow to have another litter immediately Signup and view all the answers

What is the a) weight b) number of days gilts are bred at?

a) 130kg b)210 days Signup and view all the answers

Sows will go into oestrus a)_ days and be bred b) days after weaning

a)4-5 b)5-7 Signup and view all the answers

Sows will be culled after parity _____.

6-8 Signup and view all the answers

Sows lactate for ____ days

21 Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Terminology in Pig Production

Female pigs that have not had a litter are called gilts.
Female pigs that have had at least one litter are referred to as sows.
Uncastrated male pigs are known as boars.
Farrowing is the process of giving birth in pigs.

Reproductive and Growth Phases

The term parity one gilt indicates a gilt that has had one litter.
Weaning is the process of removing piglets from their mothers, usually to start independent feeding.

Farm Management Dynamics

A barrow is a castrated male pig.
A fully integrated company in pig farming is called a vertically integrated operation.
Vets cannot visit pig farms with High Health Status within 72 hours after visiting another farm to prevent disease transmission.
A conventional pig farm operates with standard biosecurity measures.

Breeding and Production Systems

Approximately 60% of breeding sows are part of the outdoor system in the UK.
The UK pig industry heavily relies on artificial insemination for breeding pig stock.
Only genetic nucleus farms produce the semen used for artificial insemination.

Production Systems Comparison

Key difference between free range and organic systems lies in the feed - organic systems use certified feed, while free range does not have such restrictions.
Risks associated with outdoor systems include exposure to wildlife and diseases.

Life Cycle and Breeding Details

The average gestation period for pigs is approximately 114 days.
Pigs have an oestrous cycle that occurs every 21 days year-round.
For piglets, the viable birth weight is around 1.1 kg, while the optimal birth weight is about 1.5 kg.
Commercial pigs in the UK are weaned around 28 days, while organic piglets may be weaned later.
The purpose of weaning is to transition piglets to solid food and reduce reliance on the sow.

Breeding Practices and Lifespan

Gilts are commonly bred at a weight of 120-130 kg and at around 210 days of age.
Sows typically return to oestrus 7 days after weaning and are bred 2 days after that.
Sows are usually culled after parity seven.
Sows lactate for an average of 21 to 28 days.