Pig Production

What the unit covers

This unit sits in the Livestock and Aquaculture Production strand of Agriculture and agronomy. The resources follow a pig from terminology through breeding, housing and welfare to the wider industry.

• Pig - Definitions covers terms such as maiden gilt, gilt, boar, castrate, farrowing, parity, weaner, grower and finisher.
• Pig Husbandry looks at boar to sow-gilt ratios, why a boar is needed in all AI systems, and boar selection and management.
• Pig Production Cycle is a note that walks through the cycle from buying gilts to mating, conception and pregnancy.

Where to start

Begin with the definitions deck, because every other resource uses those words. Then move to Pig Husbandry and the production cycle note. Once the vocabulary feels familiar, the cycle makes much more sense.

Housing and systems

Several resources compare ways of keeping pigs. The deck Outdoor Pig Production/ Pot Bellied Pigs covers advantages, problems, stocking density and breeds. Pigs 4 asks why the outdoor industry grew, which soils suit it and what its disadvantages are. The mind maps on semi-intensive and extensive or free range systems let you set these side by side.

Using the quiz and maps together

The mind map Pigs in General gathers newborn care, such as temperature needs, needle teeth clipping and iron injections. Read a map first, then take the quiz Pig Production & Welfare, which asks you to fill in names and housing from birth to weaning and beyond. Any blanks you miss show what to revisit.

Wider industry

Pig Industry and Swine Production decks cover global pig meat production and consumption, plus terms such as farrowing crate. Pick one resource today and see how it fits your own notes.