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The pig/hog is the ultimate "expert". Give him his requirements and he will yield a healthy profit.
What are his requirements?
Like all animals, humans included he likes his comfort, plenty of good fresh food, no stress and the least amount of disruption as possible.
Between humans and the hog there is a major communications difficulty. Thinking the Way Animals Do is an article
by Dr.Temple Grandin, Colorado State University giving a very interesting insight into animal behaviour.
The test of a good stockman, manager, or consultant is their ability to understand the signs that the hogs are demonstrating. More Info.
Hogs are very intelligent creatures and will indicate to the watchful observer the difficulties they are experiencing. Time to observe is a necessary requirement on all farms but unfortunately due
to pressure of finance, availability of staff etc. it is normally in very short supply on the present day hog farm. Staff have too much physical work to do to spend time observing. More Info.
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Take time to be educated by the "expert".
Look at your system and identify the time consuming areas. What can be done to reduce the workload? Can moving hogs be made easier for staff and animal? Are stockmen spending time on maintenance
of the unit? Can automation play a part? Are all the jobs necessary? Reducing the workload and decreasing the labour input is of no net benefit to the remaining staff, the time saved must be utilized
by the stockmen to observe and learn from the animals. Have you got the quality of operative that is capable of understanding the animals communication system?
How much training do you give your staff? How well motivated are they? How much pride have they got in their work? Do they realize the exceptional
skills required managing a large number of animals? More Info.
The answers to these questions will indicate if your current system requires closer inspection.
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Test of a stockman:
When he enters a pen the animals do not run away from him but come over to smell and nibble at his overalls and boots. If the animals keep a distance away (1 yard or more) and come no closer then
you must ask the question why are they afraid of him? What treatment has generated this fear?
In some automated systems the hogs have so little contact with humans except for vaccinations, injections, movement, tagging etc. that they form a fear of the man in the overalls. He never brings
anything nice or good to the hogs and therefore the association for the animal is that overalls means pain or stress. This can be a major problem with gilts (young sows) and boars being introduced
into the breeding herd. It is advisable to hand feed these animals for a period so they associate man with something good (food).
Hogs need man contact - the man in the pen with them so they can smell and nibble and realize that this tall thin creature is not a treat or a danger and may even be a harbinger of good. To build
up a relationship with the animal the stockman must spend time with the animal not just looking in from the safe confines of the passageway. While in the pen the man can closely inspect the hogs,
check the water system and feeder to ensure both are functioning and clean. He may also identify draught situations within pens that can have disastrous affects on pen performance. If the stockman is
uncomfortable in the building then the ventilation system must be urgently scrutinized, the stockman may only spend a very small portion of time per day in the building
but the animals are there for the full 24 hours each day. More Info.
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Useful links:
Research Articles on Behaviour:
Behaviour Index
Research Articles on Stockmanship:
Articles on Stockmanship
General Research Articles:
Recommended Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pigs:
Canadian Pork Council
NPPC Swine Care Handbook 1996
National Pork Producers Council
Swine Production
University of Guelph
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