Some More Interesting Facts about Housing Hogs

· Caring for the herd boar.The best plan for housing and handling a boar is to build him a special yard for exercise and pasture and to place in it a small movable hog house for shelter. As boars reach the age of 2 years or more, certain teeth called tusks appear on the sides of the jaws. They grow long and sharp and are dangerous to the caretaker as well as to other animals. As soon as they become long enough to be dangerous, cut them back.

· Castrating pigs.Boar pigs fattened for market are castrated when young. Castrate boar pigs of 4 to 6 weeks old. At this age the operation of castration is simple, and the pigs are easily held.

· Ringing pigs.If pigs are to be pastured, place rings in their noses in order to prevent excessive rooting. Insert the ring into the pig’s nose by means of a small pincers made specially for the purpose. Do not ring pigs until they are 2 or 3 months old.

· Driving hogs.In raising hogs, it is necessary to drive them from the hog house to pasture or fields. Driving a group can be a very difficult task if the hogs are frightened and overactive. Always handle hogs quietly and gently so that they will not be afraid of you. The most helpful equipment in driving them is a small, lightweight hand hurdle 2 or 3 ft long that can be carried. Place this hurdle in front of a stubborn or frightened hog to stop him or beside his head to turn him in the right direction when he starts to go in the wrong direction. When he finds himself confronted with such a hurdle, the hog thinks it is a fence and usually turns away from it without any hesitation.

EXERCISES

1. Try to guess the meaning of the new words:

Tusks, jaws, a caretaker, to hold (hold-held-held), excessive rooting, a small pincers made specially for the purpose, overactive, a small lightweight hand hurdle, direction, fence, hesitation.

2. Match the word and its definition:

3. Find some more information on the topic under discussion. Share the information with your classmates.

4. Make a dialogue. Imagine that you are an inexperienced breeder and ask a professional for advice.

Feeding Hogs

Hogs are raised on a great variety of feeds, including numerous by-products. Because of their simple monogastric stomach, hogs consume more concentrates ad less roughages than any other farm animals. Grain crops constitute the major component of the swine ration. Potatoes, peanuts, soybeans are used in considerable quantities in feeding hogs in those regions where they are grown. Different by-products are fed to hogs (the by-products of fishing industry, meat industry, dairy industry and also human food wastes). Pasture crops are an important supplement to a good grain ration. Superior pastures provide a good source of calcium, vitamins, and proteins. Pastures are especially important for young pigs.

During the winter months when green pastures cannot be provided, swine rations should contain high-quality ground forage, preferably alfalfa. It contains proteins, it is a rich source of all the vitamins needed by the pig. Sun-cured hay is also a good source of vitamin D, the anti-rachitic vitamin. Alfalfa is also an excellent source vitamin B.

Grass silage may be successfully used in the winter ration of growing-fattening pigs. Silage is also suitable for pregnant sows.

The herd boar should be kept in thrifty, vigorous condition. Feed and exercise are important. Year-round succulent pasture provides exercise and valuable nutrients. In winter exercise is also needed.

The basis for successful and practical feeding of the brood sow consist if maximum use of pastures and ground legumes during those periods when pastures are not available. Quality and quantity of proteins, minerals and vitamins become particularly important in the ration of young pregnant sows. The requirements resulting from the pregnancy are increased during the latter third of the gestation period. A leguminous pasture is particularly valuable in supplementing the grain ration with minerals, vitamins and quality proteins.

EXERCISES

1. Make word combinations and translate them:

use

contain

provide

consume

feed

constitute

the ration

nutrients

grass silage

minerals and vitamins

necessary supplements

sows

2. True or false:

a) Hogs should be raised only on by-products.

b) Roughages are the major component of the swine ration.

c) Crops are an important supplement to a good ration.

d) Alfalfa is a source of vitamin B.

e) Silage mustn’t be provided for pregnant sows.

f) The breeder should pay special attention to the herd boar.

Maintaining the Health of Hogs

Hogs, especially small pigs, are susceptible to many diseases and parasites. Effective sanitation in the care of hogs has three general requirements:

· Large permanent buildings must have concrete, tile, or tightly built wood floors that are well drained so that they may be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Buildings must also be provided with ample windows space well located so that there is much sunlight in the building.

· Outdoor space adjacent should be paved with concrete so that it may be easily cleaned.

· If hogs are moved from the permanent house to pasture, they must be moved to a fresh pasture that was not grazed by hogs the previous year. Small field houses used for farrowing must be thoroughly cleaned and moved to a fresh pasture not occupied by hogs the previous year.

There are certain problems the breeder of hogs can come across.

Hairless pigs. Most pigs born in this condition die during the first days of their lives. It is caused by lack of iodine in the ration fed to the sow. To prevent the disease, feed brood sows potassium iodide throughout the period of pregnancy.

Pig anemia. Lack of sufficient iron in the feeds causes pig anemia. It has been found that where pigs are on the ground by the time they are three to five days old they get enough iron from the soil to prevent the deficiency of iron in the blood. Where young pigs must be kept indoors in little clean earth should be placed in the farrowing pen.

Influenza and pneumonia. In order to prevent this disease, provide dry, well-ventilated sleeping quarters as free from dust as possible, and protect from drafts. It is a serious disease, pigs with mild cases may recover, but severe cases usually in death.

Internal parasites. There are many internal parasites that infect hogs. Most serious of all is the roundworm. The breeder should provide effective sanitation in buildings and placing pigs on fresh, non-infected pastures each year. Worms can be killed and eliminated from digestive tract of pigs by the use of medicines, such as sodium fluoride.

EXERCISES

1. Translate the new words:

Susceptible, permanent, concrete, tile, tighty, well drained, adjacent, worm.

2. What rules should the owner of hogs observe?

3. What other diseases are hogs susceptible to? Prepare reports. Fill in the table.

Breeding and Improving

The owner should take into consideration the aim pigs are bred for. Lard and bacon types have numerous peculiarities concerning feeding and housing.

It is necessary to provide proper care for sows and their pigs. Besides basical equipment warm comfortable stalls are needed in cold climates.

Feed must be rich in vitamins and minerals, especially iodine and iron. It will help to reduce the risk of dangerous diseases. If any symptoms of illnesses are noticed it is necessary to consult a veterinarian. Timely treatment will keep the number of livestock on the desirable level.

Only profitable producers can provide high quality and quantity of the livestock. In order to select good producers the owner is to inspect the ancestors of an animal.

Proper conditions are of great value in breeding hogs. Water supply and regular feeding are necessary. Shelter must be available in cold climates. Sows should be taken special care of during the farrowing time. Sometimes it is needed to consult a veterinarian expert during the farrowing and post-farrowing time.

EXERCISES

1. Guess the word by its definition:

a) S…………… - a female pig. b) B……………. – a variety of animals with qualities inherited from their parents. c) L…………….. – a white greasy substance prepared from pig fat and used in cooking.           d) H………........ – a male pig. e) P…………… - a record of animal’s ancestors. f) P……………. – carrying out something.

REVISION