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!
Or selective photography?
Low animal density affects dunging patterns
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?