General

All in all out - The age and weight spread at weaning must be as tight as possible. Pre-weaning nutrition and management must be aimed at maximising the weaning weight of all piglets.

Depopulation - The principle of depopulation to control or eradicate disease has been applied on many units. The nuts and bolts of depopulation-repopulation are briefly discussed.

Footbaths - Good hygiene routines are essential for ensuring healthy stock. Footbaths can help prevent contamination between buildings. They also serve as a constant reminder of the need for proper hygiene.

Injection technique - Do's and don’ts of administering medicines by injection.

Light - Generaly, aim to provide 16 hours of constant light in the farrowing house, dry sow and service areas and gilt accommodation.

Mange - The mange mite is a burrowing mite that feeds on the lymph underlying the pig’s skin. It causes stress in the pig which is often reflected as scratching, restlessness, tail biting, bar biting and excessive noise.

Stocking rates - Since 1 January 1998 the following stocking rates apply to all pigs. The figures quoted represent the total unobstructed floor area available to each pig.

Water - Recommended water flow rate and drinker height.

Pig welfare requirements - The following technical note provides a brief summary of the main pig welfare requirements.  

Salmonella control - Salmonella infection causes diarrhoea and reduced performance in all pigs, particularly the young growing pig.   

Pig identification, registration and movement control rules - All pig holdings in Northern Ireland must be registered with DARD