Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.:IM Zootech 6-2nd SEM-2023-2024
College: Veterinary Medicine
Campus: Bayombong
DEGREE BAS COURSE NO. Zootech 6
PROGRAM
SPECIALIZATION COURSE TITLE Swine Production and Herd Health
Management
YEAR LEVEL 2 TIME FRAME 1wks WK NO. 1 IM NO. 1
.
I. UNIT TITLE/CHAPTER TITLE
INTRODUCTION
II. LESSON TITLE
Description of a pig
Prospects, status and problems of swine industry
Common terms in swine
Production system for swine
III. LESSON OVERVIEW
The chapter will present the description of swine and its importance to man. Likewise, the
common terms, production system and production cycle will be discussed. This will provide the
students an introductory lesson for the course.
IV. DESIRED LEARNING OUTCOMES
1.Identify and evaluate the status and problems of swine industry in the country
2.Discuss the contributions of swine to human civilization and development
3.Apply the terms applicable to swine production and management
V. LESSON CONTENT
Classification:
Class- Mammalia- animals with mammary gland
Sub-class- Eutheria- animals with placenta
Order- Ungulata- Animals with hoofed
Sub-order- Artiodactyla- Animals with even toed
Family-Suidae
Genus- Sus
Specie- domesticus
Scientific Name- Sus domesticus
Terminologies:
1. Swine- Refers to an omnivorous animal belonging to the family Suidae with a strong and long mobile
snout and is cloven hoofed.
2. Pig- refers to swine which is used by Netherlands and other European countries
3. Hog- refers also to swine which is usually used by Americans.
4. Boar- this refers to mature male pig for breeding purposes.
5. Sow- matured female swine for breeding purposes
In accordance with Section 185. Fair Use of a Copyrighted Work of Republic Act 8293, the copyrighted works included in this material may be
reproduced for educational purposes only and not for commercial distribution. Prepared: Melvin O. Allama, DVM, MS
NVSU-FR-ICD-05-00 (081220) Page 1 of _4_
Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.:IM Zootech 6-2nd SEM-2023-2024
6. Gilt- young female swine, usually 6 -8 months of age intended for breeding purposes and has not given
birth.
7. Barrow- a male pig castrated while young or before development of the secondary sexual characters
8. Fatteners/Finishers- Pigs that are about 5-6 months of age and ready for market disposal
9. Grower pig- pigs that are about 2.5 months-4.5 months
10. Weanlings/Weaners- Pigs that are newly separated from their dam and about 21 days-50 days of age
11. Dam- Mother
12. Sire-Father
13. Piglets/Sucklings- young pigs that are still with their mother(dam) and are dependent on the milk as
their source of nutrition
14. Breed- group of animals with distinct series of traits in common and mating within the breed will
produced offspring that maintain these same traits
15. Purebred-refers to the progeny of purebred parents of the same breed
16. Hybrids(Synthetic breeds)- Animals produced by the combination of good traits among breeds but not
necessarily mean that these animals will perform better than their parents
17. Hybrid Vigor/Heterosis- the ability of crossbred animals to perform better than the average of their
parents
18. Estrus period/Heat period- the time when the animal (Sow or Gilt) is sexually receptive.
19. Estrus Cycle- period from one estrus to the next estrus. Usually 18-21 days
20. Puberty – the part of the animal life which links sexual immaturity to maturity. Usually about 5-6 months
of age.
21. Ration- Feed allowance of an animal per day
22. Stag- castrated mature male pig/castrated boar.
23. Runt- piglet of small size, malnourished, stunted growth
24. Weaning- the act of separating piglets from their mother(sow)
25. Culls- all unwanted animals removed from the herd
26. Colostrum- first secreted milk from the breast, occurring shortly after or sometimes before birth
THE PIG PRODUCTION CYCLE
The Dry Production
This is the period between weaning and the next service. After weaning, a sow is expected to come into
heat within 3 to 7 days.
1. The Pregnancy Period
A sow is pregnant for about 114 days, or, 3months + 3 weeks + 3 days
Repeat
2.a The estrus cycle of a pig has an average duration of 3 weeks (21 days), If a sow fails to
conceive after service, she expected to repeat, or into come heat 3 weeks after he
unsuccessful service.
2.b It is possible that a sow repeats (much) later than 21 days after the service, the sow has been
pregnant, but for some reason, the pregnancy stopped at a certain point. Such a sow will also
come into heat again.
2.c False pregnancy ( or pseudo pregnancy) occurs rarely on sows which have been bred.
2. The Lactation Period
The lactation or suckling period lasts for as long as the farmer allows it. The normal lactation is between
28 to 42 days in the tropics.
3. The Rearing Period of Weaners
After a 28 to 42 days suckling period, the piglets can be separated from the sow and further reared.
This rearing period will take another 30 to 40 days. At the end, they will be ready for sale, fattening or
rearing as replacement breeders. Their weights by then will be 15-20 kgs.
In accordance with Section 185. Fair Use of a Copyrighted Work of Republic Act 8293, the copyrighted works included in this material may be
reproduced for educational purposes only and not for commercial distribution. Prepared: Melvin O. Allama, DVM, MS
NVSU-FR-ICD-05-00 (081220) Page 2 of _4_
Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.:IM Zootech 6-2nd SEM-2023-2024
Some backyard raisers sell their piglets immediately after weaning, but is not advisable due to health
considerations.
4. Growing and Finishing of Fatteners
After rearing, the pigs are now ready for fattening. The time needed to reach market weight is variable
and depends on the quality of the pig and feeds, market demands and some other factors. Usually,
growing and finishing take 3-5 months.
5. Rearing of Replacement Stock
Some farmers rear their own replacement breeders from piglets they have produced on their own farm.
Replacement breeders are reared to an age of about 8 months. Then they can be served and added to
the breeding herd. This rearing period takes 5-6 months depending on the breed, and feeding
(nutritional condition, etc.)
Summary of Production Cycle/Period
Production Cycle/ Period Number of Days
1. Dry period 3 - 7 days
2. Pregnancy period 114 days
3. Lactation period 28 - 42 days
4. Rearing period of weaners 30 - 40 days
5. Growing and finishing of fatteners 90 - 150 days
6. Rearing period of replacement stocks 150 - 180 days
LENGTH OF A SOW’S PRODUCTION CYCLE
From one farrowing to the next, a sow needs 145 – 163 days (add up: 1+2+3 of Summary). This is
known as the farrowing interval.
FARROWING
LACTATION
WEANING
PREGNANCY WEANING REARING SALE FATTENING
SALE
REPEAT II
D
R
SERVICE
Schematic Diagram of the Pig Production Cycle
In accordance with Section 185. Fair Use of a Copyrighted Work of Republic Act 8293, the copyrighted works included in this material may be
reproduced for educational purposes only and not for commercial distribution. Prepared: Melvin O. Allama, DVM, MS
NVSU-FR-ICD-05-00 (081220) Page 3 of _4_
Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.:IM Zootech 6-2nd SEM-2023-2024
VI. REFERENCES
1.Basic Pig Keeping Manual (Books 1, Book 2, Books 3, Books 4). 2000. Department of Agriculture,
Agricultural Training Institute, International Training on Pig Husbandry. P.O Box 1, Lipa City, 4217
Batangas Philippines
2.Eusebio.J. A. The Science and Practice of Swine Production. UPLB Laguna Phil.
3.ITCPH, Approved Pig Keeping Manual
4.ITCPH, DA, ATI 1. Pig Production Planning; 2. Farm Recording; 3. Cost and Return Analysis; 4
Building your Piggery Farm
5.Training Notes on Pig Husbandry
In accordance with Section 185. Fair Use of a Copyrighted Work of Republic Act 8293, the copyrighted works included in this material may be
reproduced for educational purposes only and not for commercial distribution. Prepared: Melvin O. Allama, DVM, MS
NVSU-FR-ICD-05-00 (081220) Page 4 of _4_
