- Pig Handling Skills -

Picking up more than one piglet at a time can be dangerous for both the person attempting to pick them up and the piglets themselves. Piglets are small and fragile, and attempting to pick up multiple piglets at once can result in dropping them or causing injury. It is best to handle piglets one at a time to ensure their safety and well-being.

Scoring the condition of a pig just by looking is not sufficient because certain health conditions or issues may not be visible externally. Physically examining the animal allows for a more accurate assessment of its overall health, body condition, and any potential problems that may be present.

The term "weaning" refers to the permanent separation of a sow and her piglets. This typically occurs when the piglets are around 3-4 weeks old and are no longer dependent on their mother's milk for nutrition. Weaning is an important step in pig farming as it allows the sow to recover and prepare for her next litter, while the piglets are transitioned to solid food and eventually moved to separate housing. It is a common practice in the swine industry to wean piglets to optimize herd management and productivity.

Pigs do not generally respond well to being hit and kicked. Like any animal, pigs can experience pain and distress when subjected to physical abuse. They may become fearful, aggressive, or exhibit other negative behaviors in response to such treatment. It is important to treat animals with kindness and respect, using positive reinforcement and humane handling techniques.

The body condition score of a sow will not remain constant for her entire reproductive cycle. During the reproductive cycle, a sow's body condition can change due to various factors such as pregnancy, lactation, and feed intake. Pregnancy and lactation can cause weight gain, while high feed intake can lead to weight loss. Therefore, the body condition score of a sow can fluctuate throughout her reproductive cycle.

Pigs have poorer visual acuity than humans because their eyes are adapted for close-range vision rather than long-range vision. However, they have a greater field of view, meaning they can see a wider area without needing to move their eyes or head. This is due to the placement and shape of their eyes, which are positioned on the sides of their head and provide a wider peripheral vision compared to humans.

The gestation period for a sow is not approximately 85 days. The correct gestation period for a sow is around 114 days.

Piglets can be moved to another sow if they are much larger or much smaller than the rest of the piglets in their own litter. This is because the larger piglets may be too dominant and prevent the smaller ones from accessing enough milk, leading to malnourishment. Moving them to a different sow ensures that all piglets have equal access to milk and a chance to thrive.

The statement is false because when scoring a pig's condition, 1 actually represents the worst possible condition for a pig, while 5 represents the best possible condition.

Suckers, which are piglets that continue to nurse from the sow, can be weaned at any time between 10 days to 8 weeks after farrowing, depending on the requirements of the production system. This means that the statement "Depending on the needs of the production system, suckers may be weaned from a sow anywhere between 10 days to 8 weeks after farrowing" is true.

A pig board is a square piece of wood used to herd pigs. It is a tool that helps farmers or herders to guide and direct the movement of pigs. By using a pig board, they can control the direction and movement of the pigs, making it easier to manage and handle them.

Body condition scoring is most important for sows because it helps monitor their overall health and nutritional status. Sows that are too thin may have difficulty reproducing and producing enough milk for their piglets, while sows that are too fat may have increased risk of metabolic disorders and difficulty farrowing. Regular body condition scoring allows farmers to adjust the sows' diet and manage their condition to ensure optimal reproductive performance and overall well-being.

A pig with a condition score of 3 has ribs that are covered by a layer of fat or muscle but can still be felt. This means that the pig is not overly thin, but there is still some fat covering the ribs.

The correct technique for picking up a piglet involves holding one of the piglet's back legs. This is the appropriate way to handle a piglet as it allows for a secure grip without causing harm or discomfort to the animal. Lifting a piglet by its torso or holding it by its throat can be dangerous and potentially injure the piglet. By holding one of the piglet's back legs, the person can ensure proper control and minimize the risk of injury.

A "grower" is defined as a pig between 20-50kg liveweight. This means that a pig is considered a grower when its weight falls within the range of 20-50kg. This stage is important in pig farming as it signifies a transition from a younger piglet to a more mature pig. During this stage, the pig's nutritional needs and feeding requirements may differ from those of piglets or fully grown pigs.

The correct answer describes the pelvic bones of a pig with a condition score of 1 as being very prominent. This means that the bones are easily felt and stand out. Additionally, there is a deep cavity around the tail head, indicating a lack of fat in that area. This suggests that the pig is underweight and may be experiencing malnutrition or inadequate feeding.

The best way to hold a piglet while inspecting it is by resting its chest on your forearm. This position allows for better support and control of the piglet's movements. Holding it in this way also ensures that the piglet feels secure and comfortable during the inspection process.

Farmers may need to pick up piglets in order to perform routine health checks. This allows them to closely examine the piglets for any signs of illness or injury. They can check their body condition, temperature, and overall health. Additionally, farmers may need to transport the piglets from one area to another, such as moving them to a different pen or transporting them to a market or another farm. Lastly, clipping the milk teeth of piglets is a common practice to prevent them from injuring each other or the mother while nursing.

Patting, stroking, and resting your hand on the back of the animal are all examples of positive behavior in pig-handling. These actions are gentle and non-threatening, which helps to establish trust and a positive relationship between the handler and the pig. Patting and stroking provide physical contact and reassurance, while resting your hand on the back of the animal can help to calm and comfort the pig. Overall, these behaviors promote a positive and respectful interaction with the pig.

Landrace, Large White, and Duroc are commonly used pig breeds in Australia. These breeds are known for their adaptability to the Australian climate and their suitability for commercial pig farming. Landrace pigs are known for their high fertility and mothering ability, while Large White pigs are valued for their lean meat production. Duroc pigs are popular for their excellent meat quality and growth rate. These breeds are commonly used in Australia to meet the demands of the pork industry.

The term "herd size" refers to the total number of sows in a herd only. It does not include other categories of pigs such as boars or piglets.

A pig aged about 24 weeks old with a dressed weight of 65-80kg is referred to as a baconer because at this stage, the pig is ready to be slaughtered and its meat is typically used for bacon production.