Читать книгу Veterinary Treatment of Pigs - Graham R Duncanson - Страница 82

Manure disposal is a difficult issue. On the one hand, the manure from one or two pigs can easily be mulched on a muckheap and dug into a vegetable garden. Equally, with a bigger operation the muck can be stored carefully and be taken away by a neighbouring farmer on a ‘straw-for-muck’ basis. It is the between-size operation where problems are likely to arise with not only the pig owner but also the neighbours. Careful commonsense education will have to be given.

Table 1.2. Checklist for completion of a herd health plan.

Standard	Objective evidence
Traceability	The onus is on the pig keeper to record all movements either on or off the premises in the movement book. The pig keeper also has to record all medicines and their batch numbers given to the pigs
Tail docking	This is not advised and is permitted only on a written order from a veterinary surgeon that it needs to be performed on disease control grounds, for a limited period, until the situation is brought under control
Teeth clipping	This is no longer advised unless there is a specific problem. It should not be encouraged long term
Castration	This is not advised in a commercial situation. In a specific niche market where late maturing pig breeds are being kept, chemical castration should be considered (see Chapter 5, p. 48). Castration is advised only in pet pigs. In that situation the operation should be performed as early as possible at approximately 2 weeks of age
Prophylactic antibiotics	These are now banned in the EU and should be strongly discouraged in other areas of the world
Segregation of incoming pigs Welfare	This should be mandatory with as long an isolation period as possible A single person should be delegated as welfare officer. Any breaches of welfare standards should be recorded and new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) should be implemented as soon as possible
Regular inspection of pigs	Obligatory twice daily. More frequent inspections are required for parturient animals
Medicine record book	Obligatory
Knowledge of broken needle protocol	This should be available in writing (see below)
Withdrawal periods for medicines	These must be recorded for all medicines in the medicine record book. It should be remembered that any medicine used off licence has a meat withhold of 28 days
Records of births and deaths	This is strongly advised
Feed storage conditions	These should be checked weekly
Use of sticks, pipes or electric goads	Banned
Condition of structures and fittings	No sharp or broken gates or metal coverings
Condition of floors and bedding	Concrete to be checked monthly, bedding always to be adequate
Cleansing policy	A written good hygiene policy should always be followed
Temperature and ventilation	Adequate for each class of pig and able to be altered with extremes of weather conditions
Lighting	Adequate. Pigs must not live in darkness
Alarms	These are required only if there is mechanical temperature control practised. Smoke alarms are recommended
Pest control	Pigs must be kept vermin free. Bait must be protected from the pigs
Waste control	No excessive build-up of dung, particularly slurry
Water supply	This must be reliable even in severe frost
Piglet creep environment	This must be warm enough (see Housing section above)
Pig condition score	Pigs must not be too thin or obese. This is particularly relevant to pet pigs
Pig groups	Stability is important (practitioners should look for evidence of fighting)
Stocking density	Area must be sufficient for the number and size (see Housing section above)
Feeding space	Must be adequate (see Housing section above)
Level of antisocial behaviour and vice	Needs to be assessed with sympathy for the pigs and the pig keeper
Treatment of sick pigs	Must be prompt with the ability to move into separate pens
Provision for euthanasia	This should be a written policy with veterinary involvement (see Chapter 6)
Drainage and land suitability	This is particularly important with outdoor pigs. The whole area occupied by the pigs should be checked visually
Standard and positioning of accommodation	This should be visually assessed
Electric fence training and acclimatization	This is relevant to outdoor pigs. Pig keepers should be educated
Wallows and shade	This is relevant to outdoor pigs and should be visually assessed
Nose ringing practice	This is no longer acceptable as it contravenes one of the five welfare freedoms
Weaning environment	This is one of the most stressful events in a pig’s life. The environment should be visually appraised
Rotation of farrowing accommodation and location	Hygiene and education regarding straw burning

Fig. 1.22. Pigs at shows are a danger to the public.