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Information sheets   |   Elsenburg infopaks   |   Animals, management: 5

Practical suggestions for successful pig farming Afrikaans | Xhosa

Click to enlarge!		 Breeds

The best known indigenous pig breed is the Kolbroek, which supposedly came to South Africa from Asia. Common modern pure breeds include the Large White and the Landras.

Click to enlarge!		 Production

The sow remains pregnant for about 116 days (three months, three weeks and three days). The average farrow size is eight to ten piglets. They are weaned at the age of 35 days.

The sow comes into season four to six days after weaning. Then, within the next 12 to 24 hours, she must be served for effective reproduction to take place. If the sow has not been impregnated, she must be serviced again within 21 days. Rutting is stimulated by contact with the boar. Young sows are serviced at the age of about seven to eight months when they have a mass of approximately 100 kg. Boars are also used for the first time at about this age. One boar is used for every 12 sows. It is important to ensure that the boar is fertile and that he actually services the sow.

Click to enlarge!		 Feeding

The feed requirements of pigs differ in the different stages of the pig's life. General guidelines on the quantity and quality of the feed to be supplied to the animal at each stage are as follows:

Stage Piglets before weaning Weaners
Age 0 - 35 days 35 - 56 days
Mass 1.5 - 9kg 9 - 20kg
Intake 50 - 250g / day ± 800g / day
Protein content 21% protein 18% protein


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Stage Growing pigs Pigs being finished
Age 56 - 110 days 110 - 160 days
Mass 20 - 50kg 50 - 90kg
Intake ± 1.9 kg / day ± 3kg / day
Protein content 16% protein 15% protein


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Stage Dry sows and boars Lactating sows
Feeding period 285 days/year 80 days/year
Mass 140 - 200kg 140 - 200kg
Intake ± 4 kg/sow/day from weaning until servicing. Generally 2 kg/sow/day for the gravid period. 2 kg plus 0.4kg/piglet to 8 kg/day
Protein content 13% protein 16% protein


Click to enlarge!		 The diet may include grains (for example maize, wheat, barley, triticale), meat and fish products, and milk, as well as protein sources such as lupin, beans and peas. For effective production the animal must receive a balanced diet containing enough energy and protein. An adequate supply of clean drinking water must always be available. Lactating sows drink a great deal of water.

Productivity

Every sow can raise an average of 2,2 farrows per annum under normal circumstances. This represents approximately 20 piglets per sow per year. If each of the piglets can be raised to reach a mass of 90 kg, one sow can therefore produce 1 800 kg live mass or 1 400 kg pork per annum. On the other hand, the feed intake per sow is about 1,2 tons per annum and every piglet can consume as much as 270 kg feed in order to obtain a mass of 90 kg.

Click to enlarge!		 Selection
  • Breeding sows are selected at the age of five to six months, or when they obtain a live mass of 100 kg.
  • The sow must have six healthy, well-placed teats on every side.
  • The legs must be straight and well placed. A long body and good paws are important.
  • A sow is usually culled after she has farrowed six to eight times. If her production is unsatisfactory, she is culled sooner.

Click to enlarge!		 General care
  • Fifty percent of all deaths in pigs occur before weaning, especially during the first two days after birth. The design of the farrowing pen must be such that the sow will not be able to lie down on the piglets.
  • The farrowing pen must be disinfected thoroughly before the sow is placed in it; that is, a week prior to farrowing.
  • Special attention must be paid to the piglets.
  • The edges of the teeth must be cut about three days after birth.
  • If farrowing takes place indoors, the piglets must receive iron injections.
  • Diarrhoea is one of the major causes of production losses in piglets. Providing clean, disinfected farrowing pens and bedding can prevent it. In cases of serious diarrhoea, the necessary medicine must be administered.
  • The sow must always be watched for mastitis and milk problems.
  • A complete inoculation programme must be followed for preventive protection against possible diseases.
  • Sows should be dosed for internal parasites three to four weeks before farrowing.

TS Brand
ELSENBURG / Research