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Fig. 1.24. Easy to throw scraps to these pigs kept at a children’s care home.
The movement of all pigs must be recorded in an ‘On Farm Movement Record’. This records the date the pigs were moved from or to the premises, the numbers moved, their identification marks and the address to or from which they have been moved. Welfare must be considered (Fig. 1.29).
No pigs should be moved off premises within 20 days of any pigs moving on to those premises. When pigs are moved off premises a movement licence must accompany them, which can be a signed declaration by the owner. When a self-issued declaration is issued, a copy should be sent to the local authority. Blank copies of declaration forms may be obtained from the Trading Standards department of the local authority or farming organizations such as the National Farmers’ Union.
Pigs may be allowed to visit veterinary premises for emergency treatment, but the DVM needs to be informed as soon as possible if the regulations regarding pigs coming on to the holding within 20 days have not been adhered to. The vehicle needs to be thoroughly washed and disinfected with an approved disinfectant before and after the journey.
Fig. 1.25. Pigs benefit from walking on concrete to keep their hooves worn.
Fig. 1.26. A deciduous canine.
If pigs are carried in a vehicle loaded and unloaded just for the purpose of feeding and watering, there is no requirement to cleanse and disinfect the vehicle.
If pigs are moved under a movement declaration to a slaughterhouse, they must be slaughtered within 72 h. They cannot be removed alive from the slaughterhouse.
All persons in charge of premises receiving pigs must retain a copy of all movement declarations for 6 months.
It must be remembered that as pigs are a potential food-producing animal, a medicine book has to be kept by the owner. All medicines have to be recorded: the amount, name and batch number of the medicine, and the expiry date. The identification of the pig and the route of administration also have to be noted. Lastly, even though it may be abhorrent to the owner, the date when the pig is fit for human consumption has to be recorded.
Fig. 1.27. A smallholder herd. A single sow and her litter.
A booklet giving advice on the legal aspects of owning pigs has been published by Animal Health. It is aimed at people who keep, or are considering keeping, pigs or ‘micro’ pigs as pets or as a hobby. This booklet can be downloaded from Animal Health’s website (http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla-en/files/pub-pigs-micro-pet.pdf). This booklet gives advice on not only disease control but also animal welfare requirements. Points on feeding and biosecurity are also covered.
Handling
As stated earlier, baby pigs are easy to handle in a similar way to small dogs. It should be remembered that sows with suckling pigs could be extremely aggressive; therefore it is advisable to have the sow well contained and maybe even out of earshot when handling her offspring.
Fig. 1.28. Wallows are essential.
Bigger pigs present a much harder handling problem. A strong person can lift a 35 kg pig by the hind legs; the ventral surface of the pig should be towards the handler. The handler’s legs should grip the forequarters of the pig.
Although they are pets it is useful to have a crate of some type, e.g. a farrowing crate or an old weighing crate, to contain pigs for handling and examination. If a crate is not available then larger pigs can be to some extent controlled by pig boards. It should be remembered that even very friendly pigs will endeavour to escape constantly. The ultimate method of control is a wire pig nose twitch. This should be placed on the upper jaw behind the canine teeth. The pig will try constantly to pull back and the wire, which is often in a hollow tube, should be kept under tension. Owners should be warned that pigs are very vocal and the noise is not in proportion to the level of pain. With big pigs owners should be warned of the danger of being bitten, savaged or knocked down.
Fig. 1.29. Transport in Ecuador. This would be illegal in the UK.
Examination of large pigs is not easy as they often resent handling. Quietness is vital for auscultation of the heart, lungs and abdomen. Patience will allow palpation of the abdomen, mammary glands and feet. Rectal temperature is an extremely useful diagnostic sign in the pig; the normal is 39°C. The lack of hair allows a good examination of the pig’s skin. Mucous membranes are best examined in the mouth, as the eyes are somewhat sunken. Pigs are highly intelligent animals; the owner’s observations on behavioural changes and demeanour are well worth recording.
Abnormal Behaviour
Introduction
There are three main factors which contribute to abnormal behaviour in pigs. They are management, nutrition and disease. Management factors are the most common but least acceptable to pig keepers. Clinicians need considerable tact when dealing with these problems. Changes in management may be small and not expensive; equally they may be large and very costly. Clinicians need to be very sure of their diagnosis before advising on the latter course of action. Prudence would dictate that nutritional and disease problems are ruled out before costly changes are advised.
The effect of dietary inadequacy on pig welfare is seen particularly in early weaned pigs. Cheaper diets tend not to have ingredients which are palatable to newly weaned pigs. Reduced feed intake causes not only a slowing of growth rates but also increases behavioural problems.
Belly-nosing
Pigs have their rooting behaviour inhibited in fully slatted pens. It may also occur on solid floor pens which do not have any bedding. The provision of toys may be helpful in preventing the condition. The condition may predispose the pigs to contracting Greasy Pig Disease caused by Staphylococcus hyicus. Belly-nosing is more common in early weaned pigs, so sometimes even a delay of 48 h in weaning can reduce the behaviour.
Ear biting
This is more commonly seen in aggressive breeds. Removal of the sharp enamel points on the canine teeth soon after birth often does not help this vice, which is often seen soon after weaning. Poor palatability of diets tends to cause poor growth rate, unthriftiness and an increased attraction to blood. Low iron levels might also increase the attraction to blood. Nowadays all indoor pigs receive an injection of 1 ml of iron dextran soon after birth and so iron levels are adequate during the suckling period. However, if levels of iron in the creep are not adequate then pigs may show this vice in the immediate post-weaning period. Ear biting may be seen in pigs which have skin lesions as a result of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS).