PIG BASICS 101

PIGTIONARY

Barrow A male pig that has been neutered

Boar Adult male pig kept for breeding purposes

Sow Adult female pig

Farrow To give birth

Gilt Female pig that has never farrowed

Market Hog Barrow or gilt raised for meat production, weights

up to 110 kg or 242 lbs

PIGTIONARY

Litter A group of piglets born at one time from the

same sow Piglet

Newborn pig, weights 1 – 2 kg or 2.2 – 4.4 lbs Feeder Pig

Piglet after it’s weaned from the sow, also known as a ‘weaner’ pig

Runt The smallest piglet in the litter

Pork Producers Farmers, the people that raise pigs

PIGS OF MANY COLORS

Pigs come in different styles, or breeds Farms usually specialize in one breed of pig

Purebred breeding farms then sell their high quality males and females to other farmers

Most pigs are a combination of 2 or 3 different breeds for the best traits from each

THE CANADIAN YORKSHIRE

The most popular breed of pig in Canada

They grow quickly Produce many

piglets Produce lean and

high quality pork

LANDRACE

Large and muscular, these white pigs are recognizable by their droopy ears

This pig is known for its strong maternal abilities and adapting to different climates

THE CANADIAN DUROC

Solid red in color Known for:

Fast growth Stamina High quality meats

HAMPSHIRE

Black and white pigs Known for:

Fast growth Muscling Really lean pork

THE BEGINNING

Sows can be bred by natural mating with boars or by artificial insemination Artificial

insemination allows farmers to buy the best genetics in the world without having to bring a new animal to the barn

THE BEGINNING

A sow’s gestation last for 3 months, three weeks, and 3 days

Average litter is 8-12 piglets

A sow gives birth approximately twice a year

Sows are put into farrowing pens, just before giving birth and while they nurse their piglets Designed to provide the best

environment The bars give the sow something

to lean against while she lies down

The piglets have a safe area to stay out of harm’s way

The area the piglets sleep is kept warm with a heat lamp or heat pad

Sows nurse for 2-4 weeks, until the piglets are weaned from milk to solids

Gestation Farrowing Pen

THE FARROWING PEN

THE NURSERY

Feeder pigs receive a diet that changes to meet their nutritional needs as they grow

Once weaned, the piglets are moved to group pens Need warmer

temperatures Healthiest when kept

separate from older pigs

Its important to keep the pigs in groups with other pigs the same size as they will “bully” each other and can really injure smaller pigs

THESE PIGS WENT TO MARKET

Feeder pigs are moved out of the nursery when they reach 25 kg or 55 lbs to the ‘grower-finisher’ Pigs are housed in

separate room or barn designed for the size of the pig

Raised to a weight of 110 kg or 242 lbs

THESE PIGS WENT TO MARKET

Market hogs are sent to meat processing plants on trucks designed just for pigs to which strict guidelines apply: Number of pigs on a

truck In hot weather, fewer

pigs are put onto a truck and are normally shipped at night or in the early morning

THE PROCESSING PLANT

Each animal is inspected at the processing plant and then euthanized quickly and humanely by approved methods

Processing plants follow strict government guidelines for processing and handling animals and meat products

THE PROCESSING PLANT

THIS LITTLE PIG STAYED HOME

Breeding Stock The pigs with the best genetics and

characteristics Good body structure Good bone structure Muscling Quick growth Strong maternal instincts

These pigs are either kept by the farmer or sold to other farmers to replace existing stock or add extra to their herd

YOU LIVE LIKE A PIG

Pigs like to keep clean Barns are designed

to provide pigs with the right environment, protected by extreme temperature and weather

Barns even have water sprinklers to keep them cool and comfortable

Pigs eat grains Corn Barley Soybeans Mixed in are vitamins

and minerals A lot of research goes

into the right amount and type of food a pig needs for growth

The Barn Food

HEALTH

Vaccinations and medications are used in herd health programs with a veterinarians advice Animal medicine

must be tested and approved by government before use

Some farmers ask you to take a shower or put on plastic boots over your shoes before entering a barn

Other farmers will not let any visitors at all This prevents the pigs

from getting sick Farmers prefer

prevention over medicine

Animal Health Record Biosecurity