pigs

ear notching

identification method used in swine in which notches of various patterns are cut in the ear

farrowing house

building dedicated to the delivery and raising of piglets to weaning

farrowing pen

that allow young pigs to escape; used before and during parturition. pen is larger than a crate

farrowing crate

holding pen that limits sow movement before and during parturition

free-access gestation housing

holding area that allows sows to move about and socialize and have access to an individual stall when they want to eat or rest

hog hurdle

portable partition used to move swine by blocking the area where the pig should not go

hog snare

restraint method in which the pig’s snout is secured by a loop tie that is attached to a long handle

casting

restraint method using ropes to place animal in lateral recumbency

Needle teeth

eight temporary incisors and canine teeth of young swine

farrow-to-finish

full service swine operation that houses breeders, newborns, weanlings, and feeder stock

farrow-to-wean

wine operation that houses breeding sows and offspring until they reach weaning age or weight

feeder-to-finish

wine operation that raises weanling pigs to market weigh

finisher pig

wine over 100 pounds to slaughter.

grower pig

swine from about 40 to 100 pounds

open herd

group of animals in which animals from other groups are allowed to join the existing group

closed herd

group of animals that restricts entrance of new animals

check off

system where a portion of the sale price of every pig goes to the National Pork Board to promote and improve the pork industry

cross fostering

moving piglets from one litter to another to balance litter size (done in the first day or two of life)