A few observations about pigs – are first impressions true?

A few observations about pigs – are first impressions true?

Pigs – the mortgage lifters

A Global Perspective

Which country produces the most pigs?

Which cultures consume the most pork?

What factors influence swine housing and the size of swine farms?

Living high on the hogs

a low investment, low intensity operation

Historical housing for swine

Issues:

labor

land use

(more recently - environmental regulations)

Breeding & Gestation

Farrowing

Nursery

Grower & Finishing

Housing for Modern Pig Production

Pig Production in China – use of resources (labor)

Does the size of a swine operation affect animal well-

being?

What factors influence swine housing and the size of swine farms?

Farrowing Crate

- secure housing for the baby pig?

Cargill – open front building

Hoop – Structure

J. Britt, NCSU.

Curtain-sided, natural ventilation structure

J. Britt, NCSU.

Swine

Confinement Housing

Sow gestation housing – individual crates

Individual Sow Gestation Crates

- why?

Todd and the friendly boar – a lesson in photography!

Overcrowding?

Or selective photography?

Low animal density affects dunging patterns

Gestation crate

When mixed – pigs fight to establish dominance within a group

Low cost group housing for gestating sows

Total confinement housing for gestating sows

Overfeeding gestating sows increases

embryonic death and decreases litter size

Low cost group housing for gestating sows

Open front group housing for gestating sows

Cuts & abrasions in group housing for gestating sows

What about pigs and the environment?

Do new environmental regulations alter the types of housing facilities for swine?

Phosphorus and aquatic plant

growth - impacts swine production

Lake Mendota

A typical day in the life of a pig?

Gestating sows in wooded areas

Problems in Swine Housing

ventilation

manure management

Tail-biting in pigs – a ventilation issue?

Engineering principles for ventilation in swine housing

Farrowing Crate

- secure housing for the baby pig?