Learning Activity Sheet in Aniamal Production (Swine NC II) 2020-2021

Region VIII
Division of Eastern Samar

CAN-AVID NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Can-avid, 6806
Learning Activity Sheet in

ANIMAL PRODUCTION (Swine NC II)
Grade - 12
Name: _____________________________ Grade/Section: _________________ Date: ____________

School: CAN-AVID NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL Teacher: MICHAEL G. HOBAYAN
Learning Competency (with code): Perform preparatory breeding activities (TLE_AFAAPS9- 12HBR-IIh-j13)
Acclimatize newly arrived stocks following industry standards as prescribed by veterinarian or an animal health
official
A. EXPLORE
1. How will you characterize a new stock?
2. Give at least 5 factors to be consider in selecting new stocks?
B. LEARN
One area of animal management that is often overlooked is how to introduce replacement
animals into the herd without disturbing the “status quo” of the existing population. We had assumed
these young animals would make the transition into the sow herd without any challenges and adapt
quickly. To the contrary, we now understand that gilt introduction plays a vital role in overall herd
stability.
A sound acclimatization program should allow a period for vaccinating young breeding stock
and exposing them to farm-specific pathogens before the replacements enter the same air space as
the existing sow herd. This is sometimes confused with the quarantine period of newly arrived
animals. Whether you are raising your own replacements or purchasing them, an acclimatization
program is useful for maintaining sound herd health.
Animals are either placed in an “off-site” facility away from the main sow unit or “on-site”
buildings separated from the main barns by a hallway of some kind. On-site buildings usually are
closed off from day-to-day traffic until the group has been cleared for the barn staff to take care of
daily chores. Required blood or oral fluids testing is usually completed before the barn staff freely
moves back and forth to the on-site facility. Most of the off-site locations have another caretaker
looking after the quarantined animals.
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C. ENGAGE
Directions: Answer or do the following questions/activities:
1. Why is it that characteristics of a new stocks is vital for the raiser?
2. What is the purpose of selecting new stocks?
D. APPLY
1. How do you characterize a best breed?
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2. What are the most common basis for culling?
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E. Reference/s:
https://www.nationalhogfarmer.com/reproduction/take-care-acclimate-gilts
F. Answer Sheet( separate sheet)

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ANSWERS:
1. How do you characterize a best breed?
 In reality, there is no best breed. Each breed has its own positive and negative traits. The
weakness of one breed become the strong point of the other and vise-versa.
 It is possible to combine the good traits of each breed and come out with a type of animal
has all these good traits. The combines animals are sometime called” hybrids”. Similarity,
heritable traits especially those of economic importance would have different heritability
factors.
 Physical (leg effects, injuries)
 Reproductive (low piglets born alive, low number of piglets weaned, low birth weight)
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Give the animal routine medication as prescribed by veterinarian
A. EXPLORE
1. Can you give some signs of a healthy stocks, and discuss each?
B. LEARN
Individual treatments are usually given by mouth in the case of piglets, by injection in older pigs and
occasionally onto the skin or per vagina. In outbreaks of disease, group treatments are carried out by in-
feed medication, injections or in the water. Treatment for mange or lice may involve the use of sprays.
Where medicines are used to prevent disease, they can be used in a number of ways as illustrated in
Fig.4-3. The most efficient and cost-effective method of treatment is to administer medicines, either by
injection or by mouth, to the individual pig. Sick animals do not eat much, and contrary to popular opinion,
they do not drink much either. In outbreaks of disease therefore the treatment of sick pigs in the feed or
water is not medically efficient. Furthermore, in a group of pigs affected with pneumonia for example, it is
unlikely that more than 20% of such animals have sufficient lesions to require treatment and 80% of the
group would therefore be treated unnecessarily. This cost must be added to that of the sick 20%. However,
group medication can be of value in preventing more disease developing. There can be practical problems
with treating large numbers of individual pigs. Nevertheless, the response is much better.
C. ENGAGE
1. Does routine for medication can improved the herd?
2. When to medicate the herd?
D. APPLY
1. How will you improve healthy environment and productivity?
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2. Why do we need to report animal diseases?
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E. Reference/s:
https://thepigsite.com/disease-and-welfare/managing-disease/types-of-medicine-and-their-application

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ANSWERS:
1. How will you improve healthy environment and productivity?

 Implement viable production plan
 Implement 5s and kaizen
2. Why do we need to report animal diseases?

 Animal diseases are highly infectious in nature and must be reported immediately to prevent spread
and minimize economic impact. Timely disease reporting will improve the health of the national
herd, ensure the long-term viability of pig farms, and allow the pork industry to remain competitive
locally and internationally.
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Select a suitable breed based on the industry standard and choice of enterprise
A. EXPLORE
1. What can observe the two image below?
B. LEARN
Mature gilts and boars

Live pigs can be brought into your herd from a source herd of matching health status, or through SEW
or hysterectomy and fostering if the source herd is of known but lower health status (depending on the
disease to be eliminated).
If live pigs are brought into your herd with or without SEW it is advisable to hold them in isolation for a
period before integrating them into your herd to check whether they develop disease and whether
disease breaks out in the source herd. If the isolation premises are in a different site to your herd and
not of the same biosecurity standards as your recipient herd, there could be a greater risk in holding
them there rather than integrating them directly into your herd. The dangers of integrating them
directly into your herd are obvious, namely, that if they are incubating an infectious disease sub-
clinically then ultimately your herd will become infected. Perfect separate quarantine facilities are
rarely available to commercial herds, particularly smaller enterprises but isolation that falls short of
complete quarantine (e.g. on the same site) can be surprisingly effective. The incoming stock could be
moved into a separate building on the same site preferably over 50 metres distant and this should be
reasonably effective, provided separate boots and coveralls are used to tend the animals and
provided the drainage from the building does not flow into your other pig buildings. If a separate
building is not possible then a separate room sealed off from the main body of the herd is better than
direct integration into the herd.
How long should the incubation period be? Here the importance of veterinarian liaison to match
respective health status has already been highlighted.
If your herd is believed to be enzootic pneumonia (EP) free then it is advisable to place the incoming
animals in isolation for a period of eight weeks. At the same time sentinel pigs (i.e. pigs from your herd
due for slaughter) should be moved in and blood tested and / or slaughtered prior to the entry of the
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new pigs and their lungs examined for EP freedom. If your herd is not free of EP, the length of
isolation is debatable. Some veterinarians would advise six weeks but four is more practicable.
Should enteric or respiratory disease appear during the four-week period either in the pigs in isolation
or in the source herd the chances of preventing further damage by immediate slaughter would be
reasonable.
C. ENGAGE
1. What are the best characteristics of a boar and a gilt?
2. Differentiate boar and gilt.
D. APPLY
1. What are the key factors in selecting breeder’s stocks?
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E. Reference/s:
https://thepigsite.com/genetics-and-reproduction/selecting-your-source-of-breeding-stock
F. Answer Sheet ( separate sheet)

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ANSWERS:
1. What are the key factors in selecting breeder’s stocks?
 The selection of the correct health status appropriate to your herd and location is vital before
breeding stock are purchased. Your primary reason for purchase is to genetically upgrade your
herd. Major requirements will be that they are available when you want them, in the numbers
that are needed and at a price you can afford. But an overriding requirement is that they will not
cause disease in your herd and lower your overall health status. At the onset therefore, consult
with your veterinarian and ask him to determine at a veterinary level the information available
about the proposed donor herd.
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Learning Competency (with code): Breed sows and gilts (TLE_AFAAPS9- 12HBR-IIj-IIIa-14)
Monitor signs and perform of heat detection technique based on standards protocol
A. EXPLORE
Directions: Explain how do you understand this diagram
B. LEARN
Accurate heat detection is essential for the correct timing of insemination, however, heat (estrus) is often
missed or misdiagnosed because the signs are overlooked.
Follow the management guidelines below to ensure good timing, successful insemination and improved
reproductive performance.
Management Guidelines
Take your time and know your pigs
 Not all signs of heat are exhibited in any one female and response to boar contact can vary
 Knowing your pigs will help you to recognize signs and take appropriate action to detect accurately the
onset of estrus
 Always approach your pigs calmly and avoid interrupting their normal behavior
 Allow time to observe their true behavior; allow reaction to your presence to subside
 Many females respond instantly to boar presence, others take a few minutes
 Some females may only exhibit a standing reflex for the boar they have had most contact with
 Be patient and don’t be afraid to develop a bond!
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C. ENGAGE
Directions: Answer the following questions.
1. What is ovulation period?
2. Does silent heater affect the production?
D. APPLY
1. What are the different techniques in heat detection?
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2. What is the strongest sign of heat?
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E. Reference/s:
http://porkgateway.org/resource/heat-detection/
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ANSWERS:
1. What are the different techniques in heat detection?
 Haunch pressure test
 Riding the back test
 Semen-on-the snout
 Teaser method
2. What is the strongest sign of heat?
o swollen, reddened vulva (proestrus)
o Vocalization/barking
o Mounting penmates
o Heightened activity level/restlessness
o Perked or twitching ears
o Sticky, viscous secretion of the vulva
o Rigid back and legs; “locked up”

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Learning Competency (with code): Breed sows and gilts (TLE_AFAAPS9- 12HBR-IIj-IIIa-14)
Breed sows/gilts using breeding systems based on choice of enterprise
A. EXPLORE
Hypor is part of Hendrix Genetics , a multi-species animal breeding and genetics
company. Hendrix Genetics is passionate about animal breeding. We have breeding
programs in swine, turkeys, layers, traditional poultry, salmon and trout.
Hypor is one of the world's leading suppliers of pig genetics. Our breeding program is
focused on balanced breeding as the way to maximizing total system profitability.
B. LEARN
Breeding Systems
Hog operations differ in their goals and markets. This helps to determine what type of breeding system
the producer utilizes. In general, there are two different types of breeding systems, purebred and
crossbred.
Purebred Breeding Systems

When both of a pig’s parents are registered members of the same breed, the pig is purebred. If its
parents are members of different breeds, it is crossbred. A registered pig is a purebred pig whose
name, herd and registration numbers, date of birth, pedigree, and name of owner are recorded with a
breed registry association. A pig must meet all of the requirements of the breed registry association in
order to be registered.
Crossbred Breeding Systems

Crossbred pigs have some advantages over purebred pigs because of a genetic phenomenon called
heterosis (also known as hybrid vigor). Because of heterosis, most commercial swine producers use
crossbred pigs rather than purebreds as market animals. What is heterosis? Heterosis usually gives
crossbred pigs an improvement over the average of its parent purebreds in a certain trait.
C. ENGAGE
1. When can you breed a pig?
2. Which breed of pig is most profitable?
D. APPLY
1. What is the most common breeding method for swine?
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___________________________________________________________________________
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2. What is swine breeding?
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G. Reference/s:
https://extension.psu.edu/programs/courses/swine/reproduction/breeding-systems/purebred-breeding-systems
Answer Sheet( separate sheet)

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ANSWERS:
1. What is the most common breeding method for swine?
Breeding: The three methods of breeding are pen mating (boar run with females), hand mating
(supervised natural mating), and artificial insemination (AI). Pen mating is generally found on smaller
operations and works best in a pen of pigs in various stages of the estrous cycle.
2. What is swine breeding?
Breeding or mating systems are the approach taken to pairing a boar and a gilt or sow for breeding in
order to incorporate or maintain desired traits. Because the genetics of a pig plays an important role in its
performance and meat quality, all pig producers should be familiar with breeding systems for pigs
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Learning Competency (with code): Prepare and train boar for breeding (TLE_AFAAPS9- 12HBR-IIjIIIb-c-15)
Train boar to mount a female or a dummy sow
A. EXPLORE
Directions: Explain how do you understand this image.
B. LEARN
During the past ten years, there has been a dramatic increase in the use of artificial insemination
(AI) by commercial swine producers. In 1990, less than 7 % of sows and gilts in the United States were
bred by AI. Today, over 50% of the United States sow herd is bred via AI and within the next decade,
nearly all swine producers will probably utilize this technology. Producers adopting AI obtain semen in a
variety of ways:
 Semen is purchased from commercial studs, the majority of which are located in the Midwest.
 In the Midwest, some producers have created cooperative boar studs from which members
obtain semen.
 Semen is obtained from studs that are structured so individual producers retain ownership of
their boars.
C. ENGAGE
1. How old does a boar have to be to breed?
2. Can you keep a boar and sow together?
D. APPLY
1. How do you train a boar to collect?
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E. Reference/s:
https://www.pigprogress.net/Sows/Articles/2019/10/How-to-train-boars-On-farm-boar-manual-491867E/

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ANSWER:
1. How do you train a boar to collect?
Training the Boar
To begin, the boar is moved to the collection room or pen two or three times at daily

intervals, with the purpose of getting him acquainted with the dummy sow. The boar being trained
should be exposed to the dummy sow immediately after collection of semen from an already
trained boar.

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Learning Competency (with code): Prepare and train boar for breeding (TLE_AFAAPS9- 12HBR-IIjIIIb-c-15) Give
boar prescribed vaccine and medication
A. EXPLORE
1. What will happen if all swine production contaminated with this ASF(African swine flu).
2. Does affect our daily life?
B. LEARN
Vaccines contain antigens from viruses, bacteria, bacterial toxins, or parasites. They are given to
pigs, usually by injection, to stimulate an immune response which will protect the pigs against later natural
infection with the organism from which the vaccine was derived. Most stimulate both a humoral response
and a cell-mediated response.
Vaccines can be live, containing living organisms which will multiply in the pig, or inactivated,
containing only killed organisms which will not multiply in the pig.
C. ENGAGE
Directions: Answer or do the following questions.
1. How effectiveness is vaccine?
2. What are the management in vaccination?
D. APPLY
1. What will be the impact of giving prescribed vaccine and medicine to our swine producer?
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E. Reference/s:
https://pipevet.com/products/swine/antibiotics-medications
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ANSWER:
1. What will be the impact of giving prescribed vaccine and medicine to our swine producer?
 When farmers use antibiotics as prescribed by a veterinarian, pigs tend to give birth to
healthier litters, get sick less often and recover faster, and suffer less premature death due to
illness. Combining the responsible use of antibiotics along with strict biosecurity measures is
very effective in maintaining pig health and maximizing production and profits.

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Determine ideal weight and age according industry standard
A. EXPLORE
Directions: differentiate the two below.
B. LEA
RN
Young
male pig
Mature boar
C. ENGAGE

1. Can a pig become a boar?
2. Is Boar considered pork?
D. APPLY
1. What are the management practices use in selecting boar for breeding?
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E. Reference/s:
https://www.nda.agric.za/docs/Infopaks/breeding.htm
F. Answer Sheet (separate sheet)
ANSWER:
1. Boar selection, management and use
 Select boars that are free from defects (see chapter on management).
 Buy efficient animals that:
- grow faster than average
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- have less back fat than the average of the breed

- have eaten less feed than average to reach a specific weight.
 A good boar will reach 90 kg live weight before it is 140 days old, have a P2-backfat measurement
of 15 mm or less, and require only 2,99 kg of feed or less to gain 1 kg in weight to grow from 30 to
90 kg live weight.
 Buy boars at least four or five weeks before they are used for the first time. This will allow you time
to keep them in quarantine and the boars to adapt to the new environment.


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Observe optimum boar-to-sow ratio following standard monitoring scheme
A. EXPLORE
Directions: differentiate the two below.
B. LEARN
Selection of Breeding Gilt
It is extremely important to select a good gilt since it contributes half the quality of the herd. Areas to be
consider while selecting breeding Gilt:
 Gilts selected to have at least 12 teats so as to accommodate a large litter Gilts to be selected
from sows, which wean 9 -10 or more piglets per litter and are known to be good mothers and
first farrowing at one year of age and farrowing interval of seven month.
 Select breeding gilts at weaning period, further selection should be done 5-6 months of age.
 Select fast growing weaners.
 These will likely consume less feed per unit live weight gain. Thus less costly to keep. Select
gilts which have developed hams and comparatively light heads.
 The selected gilts should have good body confirmation i.e. strong legs, sound feet etc. Gilt
should not select for breeding purpose having supernumerary and inverted teats, and fat
deposited at the base of the teats Guilt must be at least 8 months old at first service.
Selection of Breeding Boar It is extremely important to select a good boar since it contributes half the quality of
the herd. Areas to be consider while selecting breeding Boar:
 Boar to have sound feet with good, full hams, uniform curve at the back and of good length.
 Boar to have at least 12 nicely placed rudimentary teats so as to pass on this characteristic.
 Boar to be selected from sows, which wean 8 -10 or more piglets per litter and are known to be
good mothers.
 Boar to be selected from the herd which is having normal sex organs, active, healthy and
strong.
 Selection to be done before castration i.e. at 4 weeks. Select biggest from the litter.
 Boar must be at least 8 months old at first service.
C. ENGAGE
1. How do you introduce a boar to a sow?
2. How many years can a boar breed?
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D. APPLY
1. How many sows can a boar breed?
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E. Reference/s:\
https://thepigsite.com/articles/basic-pig-husbandry-the-boar
Boar sow ratio

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 This is usually one boar per 20 sows with supervised hand matings, but in small herds or under
extensive conditions, the ratio could be between 15 and 18 sows per boar. This is only a guide for
determining the number of boars required. Actual boar requirements would have to be determined for
each herd, based on the number of sows to be mated in a given period and the boar’s replacement
age. Where double or triple matings are practised, boar requirements are based on the number of
sows to be mated per week. With batch farrowing the number of boars required will depend on the
batch sizes selected. Obviously where artificial insemination is utilised, fewer boars are required.
 As for the male partners in a porcine union, an 8- to 12-month-old boar can usually service 12

females in pasture or be "handmated" (matched individually in a barn) with 24 gilts or sows. A
yearling (or older) boar can service 50 sows in stalls or 35 to 40 pasturing females.


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Learning Competency (with code): Monitor signs of pregnancy (TLE_AFAAPS9- 12HBR-IIId16) Monitor signs of
pregnancy according to standards protocol, Perform pregnancy diagnosis according to standard procedures
A. EXPLORE
Directions: answer the following questions:
1. How old can a pig get pregnant?.
2. How many times a year can a pig get pregnant?
B. LEARN
The list below highlights the different methods for diagnosing pregnancy
1. Daily observation of the vulva and the behavior of the female when a boar is present, particularly at 18-
22 days’ post-service.
2. Amplitude depth ultrasound machines.
3. Doppler ultrasound machines.
4. Vaginal biopsy.
5. Serum analysis.
6. Ultrasound scanners.
C. ENGAGE
1. Do pigs need help giving birth?
2. How can you detect early pregnancy?
D. APPLY
1. What are pregnancy signs and symptoms?
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2. What is the principle of ultrasonic pregnancy detectors?
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E. Reference/s:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/symptoms-of-pregnancy/art-
20043853
ANSWER:
1. pregnancy signs and symptoms

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The most common early signs and symptoms of pregnancy might include:
 Missed period. If you're in your childbearing years and a week or more has passed without the start of
an expected menstrual cycle, you might be pregnant. However, this symptom can be misleading if you
have an irregular menstrual cycle.
 Tender, swollen breasts. Early in pregnancy hormonal changes might make your breasts sensitive
and sore. The discomfort will likely decrease after a few weeks as your body adjusts to hormonal
changes.
 Nausea with or without vomiting. Morning sickness, which can strike at any time of the day or night,
often begins one month after you become pregnant. However, some women feel nausea earlier and
some never experience it. While the cause of nausea during pregnancy isn't clear, pregnancy
hormones likely play a role.
 Increased urination. You might find yourself urinating more often than usual. The amount of blood in
your body increases during pregnancy, causing your kidneys to process extra fluid that ends up in your
bladder.
 Fatigue. Fatigue also ranks high among early symptoms of pregnancy. During early pregnancy, levels
of the hormone progesterone soar — which might make you feel sleepy.
2. Ultrasonic pregnancy detectors has 90-95% accuracy.

Grade - 12
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Learning Competency (with code): Maintain and monitor animal health condition (TLE_AFAAPS9- 12HBR-IIIe-
f17) Perform periodic activities following work plan and breeding schedules, Feed animal stocks based on
physiological growths and production cycle
A. EXPLORE
Directions: answer the following questions:

1. What is biosecurity?
2. Why do we need to implement biosecurity measures?
B. LEARN
What is biosecurity?
Biosecurity is defined as the implementation of measures that reduce the risk of disease agents being introduced
and spread (FAO et al., 2010). It is also defined as a set of measures intended to keep a swine herd safe from the
introduction of diseases from the environment and from other pigs (PCARRD, 2005). Biosecurity can be
implemented at country, regional, provincial and farm level.
Biosecurity measures can be implemented in two ways: (i) bio-containment and (ii) bio-exclusion. Bio-containment
(internal biosecurity) includes efforts to prevent the spread of a disease within the herd or to other farms. Bio-
exclusion (external biosecurity) includes efforts to prevent introduction of a disease in the farm.
Why do we need to implement biosecurity measures?
Pigs carry a wide range of infectious agents. Some may be unimportant, some harmful and potentially dangerous,
and some to be kept out at all costs. It is important to implement biosecurity measures for the following reasons:
Economic impact: Some diseases can cause considerable losses to a pig business.
• Costs due to loss of production: increased mortality, decreased growth and production, lower feed
conversion rates, decreased quality of products, disturbed production planning, and less than optimal use of
a production unit.
• Marketing-related costs: poor quality products, risk of contamination, and export restrictions.
There will be a cost to implement preventive and treatment interventions but in the long term these will be less
than the cost of a disease outbreak.
Zoonotic diseases: Some diseases are transmissible to humans, therefore good biosecurity reduces risks to human
health.
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Exotic and endemic diseases: The threat of exotic diseases and the ever-present challenge that endemic pathogens
pose to producers emphasizes the need for effective biosecurity practices.
Spread of diseases: The spread of disease through direct and indirect contact can be prevented if sufficient
biosecurity measures are in place.
Stress and anxiety: Some diseases are harmful to pig welfare, disrupt farming and rural businesses, and cause
considerable stress and anxiety to people living in rural communities.
What biosecurity measures can be implemented in a farm?
Location
• Locate the farm as far as possible from potential sources of infection including other farms, live animal
markets, abattoirs and stockyards. A distance of at least one kilometres from any other pig farm is adequate.
• Construct a perimeter fence around the farm to control the movement of people. Make sure that the fence
is not broken to prevent access of stray livestock and wild animals.
• Install warning information signs and lock gates and doors to discourage unwanted visitors.
• Provide natural barriers by surrounding pig houses with trees and plants. Avoid planting fruit trees so as not
to attract fruit bats into the area.
• Designate the pig area within the farm and fence it securely.
• Locate facilities (changing room, feed delivery and loading areas) that allow external transactions outside
the pig area and equip them with appropriate cleaning and disinfection equipment and supplies.
Visitors
• Limit entry of people to the farm, especially those who deal a lot with pigs.
• Do not allow anyone to enter the farm who is not essential to farm operations.  Use a log book to
keep a record of visitors.
Figure 1 Putting up perimeter fences and providing natural tree barriers can help regulate the movement
of people in the farm Photo courtesy of Imelda J. Santos, FAO
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• Instruct visitors to wash their hands and change clothing and footwear before entering the farm.
• Minimize movement of visitors inside the farm. Prohibit visitors from entering pens, walk through alleys or
touching the pigs unless necessary.
• Advise visitors to use foot baths found at the entrance of each pig house.  Do not allow visitors to
bring food into the farm.
• Post signs asking visitors to comply with the farm’s biosecurity measures.
• Strictly implement a downtime of 24 hours.
Farm personnel
• Do not allow farm personnel to raise pigs outside the farm.

• Ensure that farm personnel do not have any contact with pigs, livestock or with persons having contact with
pigs or livestock.
• Require all personnel to shampoo shower and completely change into farm clothing and boots before
entering the pig area.
• Do not allow farm personnel with symptoms of respiratory illness to have any contact with pigs.
• Drivers of vehicles used to transport hogs or piglets should not enter the pig area.
Figure 2 Advise visitors to use the foot baths and hand wash stands throughout the farm
Photo courtesy of Imelda J. Santos, FAO
Livestock extension personnel
 Visit one pig farm per day. If this is not possible, visit several farms keeping different types of livestock.
Alternatively, visit pig farms requiring routine procedures first (e.g. baby piglet processing, castration, iron
supplementation), then proceed to those with disease challenges.
Animals
Region VIII
Can-avid, 6806
New and replacement stock
• Start a farm with pigs of high-health status.

• Buy pigs from a reliable breeder. Breeder farms should be inspected. The health status of the source herd
should be reviewed to minimize the likely extent of imported diseases. Choose healthy pigs.
• Buy breeding stock from as few source herds as possible (one source is best). Pigs bought directly from a
farm pose less risk of harboring a disease compared to those purchased from an auction market or other
livestock holding areas.
• Transport incoming pigs in appropriate vehicles that have been carefully cleaned and disinfected before the
pigs are loaded.
• Quarantine and acclimatize newly bought stock for 15 to 30 days. Quarantine means placing all newly
arrived pigs in isolation. Acclimatization is the adjustment of newly arrived pigs to the conditions prevailing
in the farm to enable them to perform to optimum standards. In large-scale farms, provide quarantine areas
at least 90 meters from other pig houses in a way that drainage will be away from, rather than toward, any
other pig buildings. The quarantine area should have its own set of equipment.
Grow-out pigs
• Avoid overcrowding to prevent the multiplication of pathogens in the farm.

• Group pigs according to age and weight. Only pigs with the same age or the same production stage should
be housed in the same pen.
• Practice the all-in/all-out system or the batching system. Start with a clean section. Vacate the entire section
or dispose of or sell pigs at the same time. Clean again before the entry of a new batch of pigs.
• Vacate rest pens after thorough cleaning and disinfection. This practice is important to break the disease
cycle. Most pathogens cannot survive outside a pig’s body, especially under dry conditions.
• Locate market pigs/porkers at the outermost part of the farm (loading area) to reduce contact between
traders and pigs in the farm.
• Do not return pigs from the outgoing loading area to the pig area.
Figure 3 Careful grouping and not overcrowding pigs will reduce the spread of disease Photo courtesy of Pampanga Veterinary
Office, Philippines
Region VIII
Can-avid, 6806
Sick pigs
• Do not sell sick pigs.

• Provide isolation pens to separate healthy and sick pigs. In large-scale farms, the isolation facility must be far
from the rest of the herd and strategically located to prevent spread of disease through wind and surface
drainage systems. The isolation pen must have an all-in/all-out policy.
• Remove dead pigs from the pen and bury them immediately, unless a veterinarian will do a necropsy. Pigs
should be buried at a depth of more than 1 meter (depending on the size of the dead pig). Burning is also
applicable.
• Ensure different farm personnel are in charge of sick and healthy pigs. If the number of personnel is limited,
healthy pigs must be taken care of first before going to the sick area.
Figure 4 Isolation pens for sick pigs and a batching system discourage the spread of disease
Photo courtesy of Pampanga Veterinary Office, Philippines
Pests and pets
• Control rodents and flies. Rodents do not like open areas, so keep grass around the pens trimmed and
garbage free.
• Avoid raising pets and other domesticated animals in the farm.
• Make the buildings in the pig area bird, bat and rodent-proof. To make the pig houses bird and bat-proof,
install fine mesh netting or insect screen over gaps in the roof monitor and openings in the sidewalls. To
make pig houses rodentproof, (i) cover posts with galvanized iron sheets, (ii) put zinc phosphide around the
perimeter of the pig houses, and (iii) hire a professional exterminator who visits the farm on a monthly
basis.
Region VIII
Can-avid, 6806
Figure 5 Avoid raising pets and other domesticated animals in the farm
Photo courtesy of Pampanga Veterinary Office, Philippines
Vehicles and equipment
• Park vehicles as far as possible from the pig facility.

• Allow only empty, clean and disinfected vehicles to enter the farm. They should be free of visible manure on
the tires and wheels. They should be kept away from the pig area and driveways used by the farm’s own
vehicles.  Install a wheel bath or sprayer at the entrance to the farm.
• Establish a loading area for selling pigs with holding pens which are away from the pig houses so that no
loading vehicle approaches the herd.
• Have one entry point for vehicles so visitors can be easily tracked.
• Clean, disinfect or fumigate all incoming equipment.
• Use farm equipment and supplies in the farm only. Keep them clean and disinfected.
• Do not share farm equipment with neighbors and most importantly other pig farms.
• Sterilize medical instruments after every use. Store in a dry, clean place.  Unload feeds only at the
perimeter of the pig area.
Water and feed
• Test water sources regularly.

• Wash and disinfect open drinkers regularly to prevent bacteria build up.
• Ensure clean and adequate water supply. Water from a creek can easily be contaminated through pig
manure from other farms and other animals, waste water from factories and human settlements.
• Buy feeds from a reliable supplier. When commercial feeds are used, buy a fresh supply every two weeks.
• Provide a dry feed storage facility that can be locked and kept free from insects and rodents.
• Ensure that feed and water supplies are free of pathogens.
• Make sure that swill fed to pigs is cooked for 30 minutes at a temperature not less than 100C.
• Remove feed spills as quickly as possible. Avoid feed leftovers in troughs to avoid attracting birds, rodents
and other insects which may carry infectious diseases.
• Dispose of old or contaminated feeds safely, keeping them away from livestock and pests.
Region VIII
Can-avid, 6806
Figure 6 Pigs should have an adequate supply of clear water Photo courtesy of Pampanga Veterinary Office,
Philippines
Figure 7 Stored feed should be kept dry and free from insects and rodents
Are there other ways to prevent animal diseases?
Cleaning
Region VIII
Can-avid, 6806
• Remove manure, debris, bedding and other organic materials and clean pens daily. The floor of the pen
should be sloping to better manage waste water.
• Maintain good drainage.
• Make sure cleaning detergents are compatible with the disinfectant to be used afterwards.
• Aside from the pens, equipment and vehicles must be regularly cleaned and disinfected.
Figure 8 Clean and disinfect pens regularly Photo courtesy of Imelda J. Santos, FAO
Disinfection
• Regularly disinfect after thoroughly cleaning empty pens. Selected disinfectants can be used for the food
production chain (see Annex 1).
• Implement aerosol disinfection during disease outbreaks.
Record-keeping
• Keep a log book to record any history of disease occurrence in the farm. This will provide baseline data and
aid in the immediate detection of unusual disease occurrences and patterns. The data will serve as a basis in
determining if there is unusual mortality or illness in the farm.
• Regularly update and provide the farm personnel with a farm guide or manual to ensure that protocols,
including disease preventive measures, are strictly followed.
Herd Health Program
• Observe pigs through daily farm walk-throughs and do clinical scoring if necessary.
• Routinely test (once or twice a year) for economically important diseases such as classical swine fever,
leptospirosis, parvovirus infection, porcine circovirus-associated diseases, porcine reproductive and
respiratory syndrome and pseudorabies.
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Can-avid, 6806
• Establish a herd health program including vaccination, deworming and medication, as prescribed by a
veterinarian. Regularly revise the program to suit the current health constraints of the farm in consultation
with and on the recommendation of a veterinarian.
Figure 9 An example of a farm herd health program sheet including vaccination and medication
Verification
• Regularly verify how well farm personnel understand and implement biosecurity protocols and re-train as
necessary.
• Solicit feedback from farm personnel regarding the effectiveness of biosecurity protocols.
•
C. ENGAGE
a) Why do we need to report animal diseases?
b) When do we need to report animal diseases?
D. APPLY
1. What biosecurity measures can be implemented in a farm?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Region VIII
Can-avid, 6806
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. Where do we report animal diseases?

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
E. Reference/s:
http://www.fao.org/3/a-i3190e.pdf
1. Answer Sheet
Location
Visitors
Farm personnel
Livestock extension personnel
Animals (New and replacement stock)
Grow-out pigs
Sick pigs
Pests and pets
Vehicles and equipment
Water and feed
2. Details of a suspected outbreak or disease incidence (i.e. date when clinical signs and deaths were observed,
exact location of affected farms, affected species, clinical signs) should be reported immediately to the city,
district, provincial agriculture or veterinary office, or to the national animal health offices.
Region VIII
Can-avid, 6806

Grade - 12

Learning Competency (with code): Maintain and monitor animal health condition (TLE_AFAAPS9-
12HBR-IIIe-f17) Select nonperforming breeders for culling based on industry standards 5.4 Monitor
changes in animal behavior following standard procedures and GAHP
A. EXPLORE
1. How will you define culling?
2. What are the other reasons for culling?
B. LEARN
Common Reasons for Culling
Voluntary culling (selected)

Region VIII
Can-avid, 6806
This is carried out to manage the parity profile; decide what your target maximum parity is
for each animal and stick to this. Voluntary culling is also carried out to remove any sows
identified as having sub-optimal performance; these sows may have shown:
 farrowing difficulties
 poor litter size
 poor lactation and rearing ability
 poor maternal behaviour
 decreased productivity compared to the herd average.
Involuntary culling (forced)
Some units may find that too many sows are culled due to involuntary reasons, especially
from the first two parities; this can lead to poor morale among staff and can also be an
indicator of reduced sow welfare. Typical reasons for involuntary culling are:
 anoestrus
 failure to conceive (recommended culling after two failed attempts)
 abortion
 lameness
 disease.
Management Guidelines
How to reduce involuntary culling
 Ensure optimal gilt selection for improved sow longevity

 Maximise feed intake during lactation to reduce body condition loss
 Body condition score sows and feed individually after farrowing and during
gestation where possible; if not possible feed on a group basis after sorting by
condition
Region VIII
Can-avid, 6806
 Consider a ‘skip-a-heat’ policy where appropriate

 Check legs and feet after each farrowing cycle; even slight lameness can reduce
feed intake due to reduced ability to compete for feed (groups) or reduced ability
and desire to walk to feeder with a subsequent negative affect on performance
 Ensure floors are not slippery to avoid hip, feet and leg injuries (See Action for
Productivity 37: Flooring)
 Check that all sows get up and walk about when inspecting animals
 Move any lame, ill, non-eating or bullied sows to a hospital/recovery pen
(See Action for Productivity 15: Hospital and recovery pen management)
 Discuss veterinary protocol with all responsible staff and euthanise sows with
severe injuries; euthanising sows should only be done by staff trained to do so or
by the vet
 Record all cull sows and the reasons for culling; use records for monthly reviews of
sow welfare and performance
 Use the BPEX cull sow chart each time you cull a sow to provide key information
that can be used in conjunction with your veterinary visits.
Should the sow have another litter?
At weaning, check that sows meet the following criteria:
 in good overall health

 no shoulder sores or other injuries
 body condition score of 3 (See Action for Productivity 20: Condition scoring of
sows)
 good conformation, e.g. gait and feet
 at least 12 functional teats with no udder diseases or dysfunctions
 good temperament.
Decide how many of the above points need to be met before the sow continues on to her
next litter. Continually assess the checklist and aim to meet more and more of the criteria
over time.
Other Reasons for Culling
Stomach ulcers
If a sow loses her appetite, looks unwell and has black or dark dung, it may be a sign of
stomach ulcers. Sometimes sows are also seen being sick and generally do not perform
well. It needs a vet to diagnose stomach ulcers, and often more than one sow will be
affected. If there is a problem with stomach ulcers, increasing the amount of fibre in the
diet can help. Coarseness of the diet will also need assessing (see BPEX Case study 9:
The Bygholm Sieve) and concerns should be discussed with a nutritionist.
Region VIII
Can-avid, 6806
Sows should be in body condition score 3 at weaning to ensure that they are fit to re-
breed
Cost of empty days
Total annual breeding herd expenditure

Cost per sow-day =
(productive sows × 365)
Cost per sow-day × empty days per annum

Cost of reproductive failure =
pigs born alive (sold) per sow per year
Shoulder sores
Shoulder sores can be extremely painful and lead to reduced well-being, feed intake and
productivity. Shoulder sores are often a sign of poor body condition management,
problems with the flooring and small/poor farrowing crates, but can also be found on old
or ill sows. Sows with shoulder sores should be treated according to the veterinary
protocol and moved to a hospital/ recovery pen depending on severity. Identifying at risk
sows and addressing any potential contributing factors is key (see BPEX Bulletin 17:
Shoulder sores).
Region VIII
Can-avid, 6806
If there are not 12 or more functional teats at weaning, or if udder disease is apparent,
future performance will be sub-optimal and affected sows should probably be culled
 ENGAGE
1. Why is it that characteristics of a new stocks is vital for the raiser?
2. What is the purpose of selecting new stocks?
 APPLY
1. Differentiate from voluntary culling to involuntary culling?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
 Reference/s:
https://www.thepigsite.com/articles/sow-culling
Region VIII
Can-avid, 6806
 Answer Sheet( separate sheet)
1. Voluntary culling (selected)
This is carried out to manage the parity profile; decide what your target maximum parity is
for each animal and stick to this. Voluntary culling is also carried out to remove any sows
identified as having sub-optimal performance; these sows may have shown:
 decreased productivity compared to the herd average.
Involuntary culling (forced)

Region VIII
Can-avid, 6806
Some units may find that too many sows are culled due to involuntary reasons, especially
from the first two parities; this can lead to poor morale among staff and can also be an
indicator of reduced sow welfare. Typical reasons for involuntary culling are:
 anoestrus
 failure to conceive (recommended culling after two failed attempts)
 abortion
 lameness
 disease.
2.

Grade - 12

Learning Competency (with code): HANDLING BREEDERS (HBR)Record Data (TLE_AFAAPS9- 12HB-IIIg-18)
Update stock inventory according to established farm recording system, Monitor and record breeding schedule
following work plan, Record production performance of breeders according to enterprise protocol.
A. EXPLORE
1. What are the disadvantages and advantages of record keeping?
2. Does keeping record helpful for the production?
B. LEARN
Region VIII
Can-avid, 6806
Before spending a considerable amount of money on a computer programme, a lot of time entering data
and producing a great deal of paper it is important to answer a simple question. "What are we trying to do?"
There are five reasons for producing information:
1. To improve overall efficiency.

2. To maximise profitability.
3. To produce end data that defines:
 - Production levels.
- Reproduction levels.
- Management achievements.
- Economics.
- The use of feeds.
- Growth performance.
- The levels of disease.
- The levels of medicinal treatment.
4. For epidemiological studies to understand problems.
5. Finally as aids for daily use by management.
Fig.3-15 shows the pathways for using data so that management control, production and disease can be
monitored and better understood.
There are 3 major

areas crucial to
management
decisions, namely
economics,
production and feed.
The total liveweight of
pigs leaving the farm
is fundamental to
profitability. Every
extra kilogram of
liveweight sold
increases the margin
over feed with few
extra overheads.
Likewise matching the
type of pig to the best
market is another important management decision.
Production is monitored from individual records of the sow, sucking pig, weaner and grower-finisher and in
each of these disease, treatment and mortality levels are recorded.
Feed usage, the third recording area, is also the largest cost centre, and the monitoring of costs per tonne,
costs of liveweight gain and efficiency of use are vital. It is here that the greatest use of records and
computer technology can be made but it is also the area where there is often the least input.
Region VIII
Can-avid, 6806
Fig.3-16 shows data from national information in the UK to illustrate the costs as a percentage of sales. It
can be seen that the veterinary medicines costs were 2.12% of the net sales. These might at first sight
appear small but it does not take into account the costs of any disease, poor production and poor feed
efficiency which on some farms could be a further 8-10%. Veterinary services in this respect can be highly
cost effective.
Recorded information can be classified into four main

categories for practical use:
Action information - This is used on a weekly basis by

the manager and staff. It should provide data relating
to animals that are due for service, pregnancy testing,
vaccination, and farrowing. Most computers forecast
what is likely to happen in the weeks ahead.
End data - This is summary information produced as

rolling averages of the previous month, several months
or years. It indicates on a cumulative basis what has
been happening during any defined period. This helps
to monitor the efficiency of the production and the
effects of disease and it is used against target figures
to identify problem areas. End data does not however
provide information for epidemiological analysis and
problem solving.
Epidemiological information - This is the detail that

produces the end data and consists of a number of individual pieces of information. Unfortunately many
computerised systems do not retain this, or if they do its presentation is in such a vast amount or in an
illogical format that it can be extremely difficult for the pig farmer or the veterinarian to use and assimilate. A
much more simple procedure is to identify the specific points of information that are required relative to the
problem and analyse these manually. Using this method we can then utilise the observations and clinical
examinations of the stock people, identify the animals which form the core group of the problem and then
study them to identify any common features.
Forecasting information - this is used for planning and targeting and there are a number of useful
computer programmes that respond to changing productions and disease information and allow more
reliable decisions to be made. What ever system of record keeping is used or proposed to be used on the
farm, consider the following questions:
 What are you trying to do?

 Is it possible to do it?
 How do you record it?
 Is the effort going to be worthwhile?
 Is the method of collection and presentation simple and straightforward?
 Is the information to be collected accurate and reliable?
 How do you intend to use the information?
Region VIII
Can-avid, 6806
The consultant veterinarian has an important role to play in the analysis of recorded information and in its
epidemiological use.
The following simple formats and examples have proved of value in both monitoring and investigating
problems on the farm. Fig.3-17 to Fig.3-27.
These records could be documented weekly and the format is valuable as a monitor to achieving efficient
production. It allows remedial action to be taken.
C. ENGAGE
Region VIII
Can-avid, 6806

1. What are 3 major areas crucial to management decisions?
D. APPLY
1. What are the five reasons in producing information for record keeping?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
E. Reference/s:
https://www.thepigsite.com/husbandry/herd-management/recording-objectives
ANSWER:
Region VIII
Can-avid, 6806
There are five reasons for producing information:
1. To improve overall efficiency.

2. To maximize profitability.
3. To produce end data that defines:
-Production levels.
- Reproduction levels.
- Management achievements.
- Economics.
- The use of feeds.
- Growth performance.
- The levels of disease.
- The levels of medicinal treatment.
4. For epidemiological studies to understand problems.
5. Finally as aids for daily use by management.

Region VIII
Can-avid, 6806

Grade - 12

Learning Competency (with code): Prepare animals for farrowing (TLE_AFAAPS9- 12HFSS-IIIhj-19)
Clean and disinfect farrowing stalls or pens following the standard hygienic procedures, Bathe sows
following Good Animal Husbandry Practices (GAHP), Transfer pregnant sows to farrowing stalls or pens
according to industry standards
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
1. Appropriate care and management of pregnant sow is explained thoroughly.

2. Farrowing pen is properly cleaned and disinfected according to requirements.
3. Moving/ transferring of pregnant sow to farrowing house is performed according to standard
procedures.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Farrowing – the act of giving birth in pigs
Conception – the act early stages or first weeks of getting pregnant
Conception rate- percentage of sows that become pregnant after service Dystocia- difficulty in farrowing
Oxytocin- hormone that is mainly responsible for uterine contraction and milk flow
CARE OF A PREGNANT SOW
In order to be sure a sow has become pregnant, we have to watch her closely during the days
around 3 weeks, and again, around 6 weeks, after she was bred. If the sow does not come in heat during
those days, we can assume that she is indeed pregnant. Prevent the sow from stress, rough handling,
fighting and other disturbances, especially in the first 3-4 weeks of pregnancy. It is during this period that
competition among and early development of embryos take place. Stress could cause death of embryos,
resulting in a small litter size. High temperature is a stressor that cannot easily be avoided. Bathing of the
sow on those days is advantageous.
Consider the following points in taking care of and managing a pregnant sow.
• Regulate the feed intake of gilt or sow immediately after breeding to prevent it from becoming too
fat. Obesity in pregnant sow may result in fewer number of pigs farrowed. Also, it may suffer from
farrowing complications.
• Keep the pregnant sow in an environment ideal for better conception. Sprinkle water on the sow
when the weather is too hot or whenever necessary.
Region VIII
Can-avid, 6806
• To prevent constipation, provide a healthy but laxative ration. Provide plenty of water and newly-
harvested green feeds, such as camote vines , kangkong, paragrass, and water lily.
• Deworm the sow or gilt against internal parasites, and treat external parasites 14 days before the
expected date of farrowing.
• In commercial operations, the sow should be transferred to the farrowing house one week before
farrowing to provide her time to adjust to the new environment.
PREPARATIONS FOR FARROWING
In most commercial scale operations, pregnant gilts or sows are moved from the gestating house to
the farrowing house. This is usually done one week before the expected date of farrowing to allow sufficient
time for the sow to adjust to the new environment. In this way, it will be more relaxed at farrowing time.
a. Preparing the sow. Before being moved into the farrowing house, the sow should be thoroughly
scrubbed with soap and water, especially in the region of the sides, udder, and undersurface of
the body. This removes adhering parasite eggs and bacteria that are potential diarrhea –
causing agents.
b. Preparing the Farrowing Pen. The farrowing unit should be thoroughly cleaned to reduce
infection. If possible, the unit should be cleaned completely, disinfected, and left unused for 5-7
days. When this is not practical, the individual pen or crate should be cleaned and disinfected
before a new sow is placed. Cleaning can be accomplished by scraping with high pressure
cleaners, steam cleaners, and/or stiff scrub brush. A complete job is necessary; otherwise, the
use of a disinfectant is futile. Many good commercial disinfectants are available, including the
quarternary ammonium compounds, Ionosphere compounds, and lye.
Many producers use farrowing pens with adjustable hurdles to accommodate big and small sows.
When the animal will farrow in an open pen, it is advisable that guard rails be provided to prevent the sow
from crushing its piglets. Also, necessary repairs and adjustment should be done, while checking for sharp
edges, protruding parts, or anything that might hurt the sow. Whenever possible, the pen should be
provided with artificial or supplemental heat source (heat lamp, gas brooder, floor heater) to warm the baby
pigs. The pen should be lightly bedded with clean, fresh material. Any good absorbent that is not too long
and coarse is satisfactory.
LET US REMEMBER
Always regulate the feed intake of a gilt or sow immediately after breeding to prevent it from
becoming too fat. Obesity in a pregnant sow may result in fewer pigs farrowed. Also, it may suffer from
farrowing complications.
Keep the pregnant sow in an environment ideal for better conception.

Sprinkle water on the sow when the weather is too hot or whenever necessary. Handle the sow or gilt
carefully when moving it from the pen to the farrowing pen or stall.
Region VIII
Can-avid, 6806
SELF-CHECK
DIRECTIONS:
Let us see if you understood the lesson. Write the letter of your answers in your activity notebook.
1. Which of the following conditions is a wrong management practice in caring for a pregnant sow?
a. Cleaning of pen should be done after moving the sow to the farrowing stall to avoid its
slipping on the pathway.
b. Move the sow to the farrowing stall one day before the expected delivery.
c. Clean the sow thoroughly before moving it to the farrowing stall.
d. Clean and disinfect the farrowing stall before the sow is moved in.
2. What cause the enlargement of the large intestine and which can obstruct the birth canal?
a. overeating
b. constipation
c. parturition
d. gestation
3. The period from one successful breeding until farrowing is called___.
a. gestation period
b. conception
c. puberty
d. in head period
4. What hormone is responsible for uterine contraction and milk flow?
a. aflatoxin
b. oxytocin
c. vaccine
d. none of he above
5. Which of the following statements is not correct in the care and management of a pregnant sow?
a. Regulate the feed intake of gilt or sow immediately after breeding.

b. Keep the pregnant sow in an environment ideal for better conception.
c. Sprinkle water on the sow when the weather is too hot or whenever necessary.
d. Deworm the sow or gilt against internal parasites, and treat external parasites one month
before the expected date of farrowing.
6-10. What are the considerations in taking care of and managing a pregnant sow?
Region VIII
Can-avid, 6806
ACTIVITY SHEET 5.1
Care/ Management of a Pregnant Sow
Have a farm visit and interview the swine raiser about their practice in caring for and managing a
pregnant sow. Compare this information with what you have learned. Submit your written output to your
teacher.
RESOURCES
Handouts
Pregnant sow
Learning modules
Dewormer
Disinfecting materials
REFERENCES
Sangatanan, Pedro and Sangatan, Rone. Practical Guide to Swine Raising Baker and Juergenson.
Approved Practices in Swine Production
Bogart, Ralph. Scientific Farm Animal Production

Region VIII
Can-avid, 6806
Answer Sheet( separate sheet)
Lesson 1 (Self Check)
1. a
2. b
3. a
4. b
5. d
6. Regulate the feed intake of the gilt/sow after breeding.
7. Keep the pregnant sow in an environment ideal for better conception.
8. Provide a healthy but laxative ration.
9. Deworm the sow/gilt against internal parasites 14 days before farrowing.
10. Transfer the sow/gilt to the farrowing pen one week before farrowing.
Region VIII
Can-avid, 6806

Grade - 12

Learning Competency (with code): Prepare animals for farrowing (TLE_AFAAPS9- 12HFSS-IIIhj-19)
Determine feed intake based on the protocol, Monitor signs of approaching farrowing, Prepare farrowing
materials and supplies based on the work requirements, Wear appropriate PPE following OSHS
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
1. Signs of farrowing are monitored according to established procedures.

2. Indications of difficult birth are detected based on an evaluation made.
3. Common causes of difficult birth are identified.
4. Manual intervention procedure during farrowing is performed according to standard procedures.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Colostrum – the first secretion from the breast, occurring shortly after or sometimes before birth
Stillborn – a fully developed piglet that is born dead
Litter size- the number of all piglets born in one farrowing
Signs of Farrowing
1. nest-making; nudging of hurdles, walls, and flooring; biting of hurdles and guard rails
2. sow always in a “sitting dog “ position
3. distention and enlargement of the udder
4. enlargement and swelling of the vulva
5. small round size of sow’s manure and frequent urination
6. milk letdown
7. mucous discharge with meconium
8. signs of labor
If milk is present in the teats, the sow is expected to farrow within 24 hours. However, swine
producers are cautioned against false alarm.
Occasionally, milk is present 1 to 2 weeks before the sow actually farrows.
Materials needed during Farrowing
1. Obstetric Snare or String

2. Heat Lamp or Heating Pad
3. Rags and Towels
Region VIII
Can-avid, 6806
4. Iodine or Betadine
5. Injectable Iron
6. Scissors
7. Needles
8. Syringes
9. Lubrication
10. Bottles with Nipple
11. Colostrum Replacer
12. Flashlight or Head Lamp
Things To Do During Farrowing Time

1. Do not leave the sow during farrowing time. Be ready to assist the sow if necessary. In order to prevent
serious complications and losses, farrowing should be supervised skillfully and with empathy. However,
keep in mind that too much supervision can be as harmful as too little or no assistance at all.
2. A sow needs a quiet environment at farrowing time. Excessive noise can cause discomfort and delay in
farrowing . It is important that the farrowing sow should not be disturbed, unless difficulty in labor and
other complications arise.
3. Providing music to the pregnant sow is advisable. It has been observed that soothing music before and
during farrowing decreases the boredom and excitability of sows. Also, it minimizes loneliness among
caretakers and increases labor efficiency.
4. Once piglets are farrowed, remove the transparent fetal membrane covering the body with a clean and
dry piece of cloth. This will warm and dry the newborn’s body and prevent the piglets from chilling.
Piglets are born at an interval of 5 to 15 minutes, or in extreme causes, at 30-minute intervals. A delay
in birth usually leads to higher occurrence of stillbirths. Piglets are born either head first or rear feet first.
Seventy percent of the piglets are born with intact umbilical cords.
5. Remove any mucus clogging the nose as soon as possible to prevent suffocation. If the piglet cannot
breathe freely, holds its hind legs with the head down and swing it gently.
6. For seemingly lifeless piglets, examine the base of the umbilical cord. A piglet can still be saved by
applying artificial respiration if a pulsing movement is observed in the cord.
B. Common Causes of Difficult Birth

1. Lack of uterine inertia. This may be due to insufficiency of hormones necessary for parturition,
mineral deficiency, or any diseases affecting the uterus. Run your fingers lightly along the
whole length of the mammary area to stimulate the secretion of oxytocin in the sow’s system.
Oxytocin induces the uterus to contract, thereby hastening the birth of the piglets.
2. Fetal malpresentation. The normal presentation of piglets is either the head first or hind legs
first.
3. Obstruction in the birth canal. Constipation causes the enlargement of the large intestine, which
can obstruct the birth canal. The distention and pushing up of the urinary bladder under the
vagina can also cause obstruction.
4. Deviation of the uterus. Sometimes, the normal shape or form of the uterus may be changed
into an S-shaped bend causing difficulty in labor.
Region VIII
Can-avid, 6806
5. Hysteria. This is observed when the number of piglets is small. The individual piglets in the litter
tend to be too large. This is also a result of upgrading, especially when a small native sow is
mated with a large boar.
C. Indication of Difficult Birth

1. Gestation goes beyond normal limits.
2. The sow emits a whitish, foul vaginal discharge a few days before farrowing.
3. There is straining of the sow, but piglets are not farrowed. This may be due to obstruction of the
birth canal, malpresentation of piglets, or deviation of the uterus.
4. The sow stops laboring.
5. Labor is prolonged.
6. Severe tiredness results from prolonged laboring.
D. Correct Procedure for a Safe Delivery

1. Check your fingernails. If they are long and sharp at the edges, trim your nails short and smooth.
2. Clean the vulva, or the lips of the sow’s reproductive organ thoroughly.
3. Wash your hands and arms very well with soap and water. After washing, lubricate your hand with
petroleum jelly or coconut oil.
4. Lubricate your hand and arm and cup your hand.
5. Open the lips of the vulva with the other hand and insert the cupped hand gently into the birth canal.
If the animal labors, keep the hand in place and penetrate deeper when the animal relaxes. Repeat
this step until a piglet is encountered. Feel and determine the presentation of the fetus, that is, what
part will come out first, whether head or feet.
6. In case of malpresentation of the fetus, push the piglet gently to change its position such that the
posterior or the hind legs are felt first. If the anterior or the head is felt first, grasp the piglet’s head at
the base of the head.
7. Pull the piglet gently towards the vulva when the sow exerts pushing effort to deliver the piglet.
Usually, after successfully removing the obstructing piglet, the remaining piglets will be easily
delivered one by one by the sow.
If dilation of the vaginal opening is slow and partial, the delay in parturition is due to hormone
inefficiency, In that case, inject 1.5 to 2.0 cc of oxytocin intramuscularly. Oxytocin will also help remove the
retained placenta after birth.
A good indication that farrowing has terminated is the coming out of the placenta. Remove the
placenta from the pen immediately. Do not allow the sow to eat the placenta because it will develop the
habit of cannibalism.
Do not give the usual feed ration to the sow after it has given birth. The animal may produce too
much milk that the piglets cannot consume and this will cause the hardening of the udder. Decrease the
usual half-kilogram ration and increase it little by little up to the third day.
LET US REMEMBER
If milk is present in the teats, the sow is expected to farrow within 24 hours. However, swine
producers are cautioned against false alarm. Occasionally, milk is present 1 to 2 weeks before a sow
actually farrows.
Region VIII
Can-avid, 6806
SELF-CHECK Directions:
Let us see if you understood the lesson. Select the letter of your answer to each question, and write
your answer in your activity notebook.
1. Which is not a good sign of approaching parturition?
a. restlessness
b. refusal to eat
c. building of nest
d. enlargement of the udder
2. What substance helps the sow during farrowing?
a. dertran
b. oxytocin
c. pine tar
d. sulfanilamide
3. Which is not true about the effect of music before and after farrowing?
a. Music increases excitability of the sow.

b. Music minimizes loneliness among caretakers.
c. Music provides good environment to the sow.
d. Music increases labor efficiency of caretakers.
4. Which of following is a cause of difficult birth?
a. lack of uterine inertia

b. fetal malpresentation
c. lack of appetite
d. constipation
5. Which is not an indication of difficult birth?
a. labor is prolonged
b. gestation goes beyond limit
c. the sow stops laboring
d. there in coming out
For question 6-10, write True if the statement is correct and False if the statement is wrong.
6. Leave the sow during farrowing time.

7. Providing music to the pregnant sow is advisable.
8. Piglets are born at an interval of 30 minutes to 1 hour.
9. A good indication that farrowing has terminated is when the placenta comes out.
10. Constipation causes the enlargement of the large intestine, which can obstruct the birth canal.
Region VIII
Can-avid, 6806
ACTIVITY SHEET 5.2
Care for the Sow and Litter at Farrowing
Explain the things to do during farrowing time, and discuss the different indications of difficult birth.
RESOURCES
Handouts
Farrowing kit
Pregnant sow
Learning modules
Forceps
REFERENCES
Sangatanan, Pedro and Sangatanan, Rone. Practical Guide to Swine Raising
Baker and Juergenson. Approved Practices in Swine Production
Bogart, Ralph. Scientific Farm Animal Production
Escandor, Norita C., et al. Basic Pig Keeping Manual ITCPH. P.O.Box 1, Lipa City Batangas,
Philippines
HTTP://WWW.NICHEHOGFARMER.COM/2011/11/FARROWING-KIT/
ANSWER KEY:
Region VIII
Can-avid, 6806
Lesson 2 (Self-Check)
1. d
2. b
3. d
4. c
5. d
6. False
7. True
8. False
9. False
10. True

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Learning Activity Sheet in Aniamal Production (Swine NC II) 2020-2021

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Region VIII

Division of Eastern Samar

Learning Activity Sheet in

Name: _____________________________ Grade/Section: _________________ Date: ____________

F. Answer Sheet( separate sheet)

Learning Activity Sheet in

Name: _____________________________ Grade/Section: _________________ Date: ____________

F. Answer Sheet( separate sheet)

1. How will you improve healthy environment and productivity?

2. Why do we need to report animal diseases?

Learning Activity Sheet in

Name: _____________________________ Grade/Section: _________________ Date: ____________

1. What can observe the two image below?

Mature gilts and boars

F. Answer Sheet ( separate sheet)

Learning Activity Sheet in

Name: _____________________________ Grade/Section: _________________ Date: ____________

Take your time and know your pigs

o swollen, reddened vulva (proestrus)

o Heightened activity level/restlessness

o Perked or twitching ears

o Sticky, viscous secretion of the vulva

o Rigid back and legs; “locked up”

Learning Activity Sheet in

Name: _____________________________ Grade/Section: _________________ Date: ____________

Purebred Breeding Systems

Crossbred Breeding Systems

Answer Sheet( separate sheet)

1. What is the most common breeding method for swine?

2. What is swine breeding?

Learning Activity Sheet in

Name: _____________________________ Grade/Section: _________________ Date: ____________

Directions: Explain how do you understand this image.

F. Answer Sheet( separate sheet)

1. How do you train a boar to collect?

To begin, the boar is moved to the collection room or pen two or three times at daily

Learning Activity Sheet in

Name: _____________________________ Grade/Section: _________________ Date: ____________

Learning Activity Sheet in

ANIMAL PRODUCTION (Swine NC II)

Name: _____________________________ Grade/Section: _________________ Date: ____________

Directions: Answer or do the following questions.

1. Boar selection, management and use

- have less back fat than the average of the breed

Learning Activity Sheet in

Name: _____________________________ Grade/Section: _________________ Date: ____________

F. Answer Sheet( separate sheet)

Boar sow ratio

 As for the male partners in a porcine union, an 8- to 12-month-old boar can usually service 12

Learning Activity Sheet in

Name: _____________________________ Grade/Section: _________________ Date: ____________

1. pregnancy signs and symptoms

2. Ultrasonic pregnancy detectors has 90-95% accuracy.

Learning Activity Sheet in

Name: _____________________________ Grade/Section: _________________ Date: ____________

Directions: answer the following questions:

Why do we need to implement biosecurity measures?

What biosecurity measures can be implemented in a farm?

• Do not allow farm personnel to raise pigs outside the farm.

Livestock extension personnel

New and replacement stock

• Start a farm with pigs of high-health status.

• Avoid overcrowding to prevent the multiplication of pathogens in the farm.

• Do not sell sick pigs.

Name: _____________________ Grade/Section: _ Date: ____

Name: _____________________ Grade/Section: _ Date: ____

Name: _____________________ Grade/Section: _ Date: ____

Name: _____________________ Grade/Section: _ Date: ____

Name: _____________________ Grade/Section: _ Date: ____

Name: _____________________ Grade/Section: _ Date: ____

Name: _____________________ Grade/Section: _ Date: ____

Name: _____________________ Grade/Section: _ Date: ____

Name: _____________________ Grade/Section: _ Date: ____

Name: _____________________ Grade/Section: _ Date: ____

Name: _____________________ Grade/Section: _ Date: ____

Name: _____________________ Grade/Section: _ Date: ____

Name: _____________________ Grade/Section: _ Date: ____

Name: _____________________ Grade/Section: _ Date: ____

Name: _____________________ Grade/Section: _ Date: ____