SYSTEMS OF REARING PIGS
Subject:
Agricultural Science
Class:
SSS 1
Term:
Third Term / 3rd Term
Week:
Week 11
Topic:
FARM SYSTEMS OF REARING PIGS
Previous Knowledge: The pupils have previous knowledge of
LIVESTOCK MANAGEMENT (PIGGERY)
that was taught in their previous lesson.
Behavioural Objectives : At the end of the lesson, learners will be able to
- Define system of rearing pigs
- State how houses fir pigs are built
- Highlight the process of maintaining healthy environment for pigs
- Discuss briefly hygiene in pigs’ management.
Instructional Materials
- Wall charts
- Online Resource
- Textbooks
- Laptop
- Wikipedia
Methods of Teaching
- Role modelling
- Questions and Answers
- Explanation
- Discussion
- Recitation
- Imitation
- Story Telling
- Dramatization
SYSTEMS OF REARING PIGS
EXTENSIVE SYSTEM
This is a system in which pigs are allowed to move out and fend for themselves. The system is not capital intensive. The animals are exposed to adverse weather condition. They are exposed to disease and parasite infestation. Advantage of this system includes low cost of labour, low capital requirement, reduced feeding cost, spread of disease is reduces etc. Disadvantage of this system includes increased exposure to disease causing agents, increased risk of theft, exposure of animals to adverse weather conditions, no monitoring of animals, production is relatively low.
SEMI-INTENSIVE SYSTEM
In this system, housing is provided for the pigs and they are allowed to move out to feed on
natural vegetation. They are housed in a fenced compound with a wallow place where they can cool their body temperature. The system is less capital intensive but labor requirement, diseases and parasite infestation are slightly high. Concentrate feed are offered to the animals.
INTENSIVE SYSTEM
In this system, pigs are confined within a building and they are not allowed to move out of the compound. They are reared in pens. Necessary materials such as feeds, water, medications are provided for them. They are protected from adverse weather condition but the system is capital intensive and growth rate is very high.
HOUSING OF PIGS
Pigs are housed in pens. Pens should be sited far from residential areas because of their odor and noises. The house should be made of low walls with concrete floors which allow for free flow of air. The floor should be hard and slope towards the drain for easy cleaning. The floor should be slightly rough to prevent slippery of pigs. The roof should be made of asbestos for easy absorption of heat. Feed trough, water trough and water bath should be provided.
FEEDING
Balanced diet should be offered to pigs. They should be well fed but not over fed to prevent excessive fat deposition. Breeders mash should be fed to breeders. Flushing which is the intake of the gilt or sow to produce more eggs should be done 7-10 days before breeding and maintained until the animal is bred. Pregnant or in-sow should not be over fed so as to prevent excessive deposition leading to small litter size. Laxative diet should be given to pregnant animals to aid easy parturition and lactation. Creep feed should be given to piglets as from two weeks of age to promote rapid growth. Creep feeding is feeding piglet separate from the dam (the feed is either pelleted or crumbled). Weaners diet should be given to weaners from about 14 weeks at the rate of 1kg / pig / day and 2.5litres of water. During fattening stage, fatteners mash should be given to pigs until they reach market weight of 60-90kg at 7months.
HEALTH/HYGIENE
- The pens should be regularly cleaned by scrubbing the floor.
- The pens should be regularly disinfected to prevent germs.
- The feeding and water trough should be cleaned to prevent contamination.
- They should be de-wormed at regular interval.
- They should be vaccinated against diseases.
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
- Discuss briefly the extensive system of rearing pigs.
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of the intensive system of rearing pigs?
- What is the importance of the following feed in pig management
- A. laxative
- B. creep feed
- C. flatteners mash?
- Discuss briefly hygiene in pigs’ management.
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.
