MANAGEMENT OF PIGS
Subject:
Agricultural Science
Class:
SSS 1
Term:
Third Term / 3rd Term
Week:
Week 12
Topic:
MANAGEMENT OF PIGS
Previous Knowledge: The pupils have previous knowledge of
that was taught in their previous lesson.
Behavioural Objectives : At the end of the lesson, learners will be able to
- Define livestock management
- List five breeds of pigs.
- List and explain five terms used in pig management.
- Outline five characteristics of pigs
Instructional Materials
- Wall charts
- Online Resource
- Textbooks
- Laptop
- Wikipedia
Methods of Teaching
- Role modelling
- Questions and Answers
- Explanation
- Discussion
- Recitation
- Imitation
- Story Telling
- Dramatization
WEEK TWELVE
MANAGEMENT OF PIGS
The management of pigs from breeding to finishing is discussed under 3 headings.
BREEDING TO FARROWING
Breeders are housed in the breeders’ house. Boar and gilt should be at least 8months old before they are bred. The gilt must have at least 12 spaced functional teats. Gilt or sow is made to mate in the second day of heat and the next mating done 24 hours later.
The gilt should be taken to farrowing house 3 to 4 days before parturition.
BIRTH TO WEANING
Heat is provided for the piglets to prevent cold. The middle tooth is cut off to prevent injury to the mother’s teats and other piglets while fighting.
The first dose of iron injection is given to piglets at 2-3 days of age while the second dose is given 2-3 weeks later to prevent baby pig anaemia.
Male piglets not needed for breeding are castrated at 2 weeks of age. They are ear-notched for the purpose of identification and weaned at 42 days.
WEANING TO FINISHING
Weaner’s are fed with weaner’s mash and fattener’s mash few weeks later. Drugs and vaccines should be provided. They should be allowed to exercise their body to prevent fat build up.
Wallow place should be provided since they are non-sweating animals.
Fatteners reach market weight at about 5-6 months of age depending on management and nutrition.
PARASITES AND DISEASES OF PIGS
The greatest enemy of animal production is parasite and disease, it has no good, all bad is what comes from it. To this end farmers must ensure they put things such as
- Effective management
- Adequate nutrition
- Proper hygiene and sanitation
- Well-designed housing
in place to save guard their investment.
External parasites include mange, mites, ticks, lice, flea all these can be controlled by spraying their post with pesticide regularly or dipping them in insecticide solution.
Internal parasites are round worm (ascarislumbricoides), whip worm (trichurissuis), nodular worm (oesophagostomum app), kidney worm (stepphanurusdentatus), lungworm (metastrongylus app), tapeworm (taeniasolium). They can be controlled by giving animals broad spectrum anthelmintics and dewormers, timely cleaning of graces from pig houses.
COMMON DISEASE IN PIGS
AFRICAN SWINE FEVER
This is a highly contagious disease caused by virus and likely transmitted by tick. It is characterized by high fever, loss of appetite, depression, weak and uncoordinated movement, reddening of skin around ears, nose, and hind legs, abortion in pregnant sow, respiratory disorder (labored breathing, nasal and ocular discharge), and death within 48 hours.
This disease has no treatment yet but can be avoided by obtaining stock from ASF free farms, slaughter infected pigs and disinfect pig houses thoroughly with 10% solution of caustic soda and keep the pen empty for about 2months
SWINE ERYSIPELAS
Also referred to as diamond skin disease is caused by bacteria (Erysipelothrixrhusiopathiae) that could come in contact with healthy animals via infected soil or feaces from infected animals. It manifests through fever (pyrexia), unwillingness to stand, swellings in joints, lameness. It can be treated with antibiotics such as penicillin.
HYPOGLYCAEMIA
Also known as baby pig disease manifests mostly in piglets and could be very deadly. Symptoms include shivering, standing hairs, weakness, and fall in temperature, twisted neck and uncoordinated eye balls. Death could occur within 2days. Provide warmth to pigs farrowing in cold season to prevent this disease and give diseased animal glucose injection.
Presentation :
The topic is presented step by step
Step 1: The class teacher revises the old topic
Step 2: The class teacher introduces the new topic
Step 3: The class teacher allows the pupils to give their own contributions and gives room for pupils” participation
Class Teacher and Pupils Activities. Interaction or Participation
This involves class teacher and pupils’ interaction, conversation, imitation or modeling through discussion, play method or just by recitation or asking and answering questions that are related to the topic that has just been taught.
Presentation :
The topic is presented step by step
Step 1: The class teacher revises the old topic
Step 2: The class teacher introduces the new topic
Step 3: The class teacher allows the pupils to give their own contributions and gives room for pupils” participation
Class Teacher and Pupils Activities. Interaction or Participation
This involves class teacher and pupils’ interaction, conversation, imitation or modeling through discussion, play method or just by recitation or asking and answering questions that are related to the topic that has just been taught.
EVALUATION QUESTIONS
- List five breeds of pigs.
- List and explain five terms used in pig management.
- Outline five characteristics of pigs
- What is environmental physiology?
- Write short notes on the effect of changes in rainfall and wind on growth in farm animals.
- State two air-borne diseases that affect farm animals.
- Write short notes on the effect of changes in the following on physiological processes in farm animals a) Temperature b)Relative Humidity c) Light
- State the ways to control rainfall and wind.
Conclusion :
The class teacher concludes the lesson by giving the pupils some notes on the topic that has just been taught. He goes round to mark and he does the necessary corrections.
