Pig Farming Questions

[SarahT33]

I was wondering if anyone could help me.
I'm a student studing animal management at college and we are looking at livestock farming. We had to choose a type of farming to look in to, and I decided on pig farming. I just have a few questions and if anyone with experience could help me that would be great I really appreciate it. I can't find the answers on the internet so would be great to get the answers straight from the farmers.

1) What are the advantages of farrowing crates? Are they used in UK pig farming?
2) What are illnesses piglets can get? Are there any illnesses piglets can get that cause a big problem in the UK?
3) Do piglets ever have to be culled from having certain illnesses or deformaties? Is there any way to make profit out of them?
5) How many litters do breeding sows have in a year?
6) How long do pigs roughly spend in fattening sheds and at what age are they slaughtered?

If anyone could help me out with any of these questions would be very appreciated thanks

 

[Gotpigs]

Hummmmm interesting to see some answers to these......

 

[Gotpigs]

Always use farrowing crates for least 3 day..
Never cull a piglet unless it been damaged by the sow. Minimum or 2 litters a year, this year mine will do 3.
Slaughtered average 18 week old but killing some at 20 week old this week, but they' are show quality, Swings and round abouts. That's what suits me.

 

[SarahT33]

Thats great thank you so much. I thought of another question lol. Do you ever cull weaners for illnesses or injuries? If so what kind of things do you cull them for? Thanks very much

 

[SarahT33]

And also is there any illnesses or any reasons which stops a pig from being slaughtered? Thanks

 

[Newby]

Minimum or 2 litters a year, this year mine will do 3.

How old are are you weaning them at to get 3 litters a Year?

 

[Newby]

How old are are you weaning them at to get 3 litters a Year?

I'd be ringing round a few of the big companies as I'm sure they'd be interested in your genetics, best you could get is 5 litters in two years and that's pushing it.

 

[multi power]

Always use farrowing crates for least 3 day..
Never cull a piglet unless it been damaged by the sow. Minimum or 2 litters a year, this year mine will do 3.
Slaughtered average 18 week old but killing some at 20 week old this week, but they' are show quality, Swings and round abouts. That's what suits me.

Three litters a year is not possible

 

[SarahT33]

Could anyone else please help me out and answer my questions would be great cheers

 

[multi power]

Could anyone else please help me out and answer my questions would be great cheers

Farrowing crates are used and they help prevent the sow accidentally laying on piglets.
Sometimes piglets will be deformed, or runts, don't think there is any way to make a profit from these
I think about 2.2 litters per sow per year
Should be fat around 20 weeks
Hope that helps

 

[Pasty]

Maybe it would be better if members made direct contact with OP, verified the college and course and helped directly rather than on an open forum. Only because answers may become confused.

 

[SarahT33]

Farrowing crates are used and they help prevent the sow accidentally laying on piglets.
Sometimes piglets will be deformed, or runts, don't think there is any way to make a profit from these
I think about 2.2 litters per sow per year
Should be fat around 20 weeks
Hope that helps

Okay thats great thanks so much