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Fig. 1.21. This type of tethering is not acceptable.
Exercise
Feeding is a problem for pet pig owners and obesity is extremely common. This is largely a problem in Pot Bellied pigs but can occur in Kunekune pigs. In the opinion of the author it is a major welfare issue. Pet pigs should be fed on proprietary prepared diets. Grazing and rooting should be encouraged. Exercise is important (Fig. 1.25). Rarely do owners walk their pigs. Naturally there is a disease risk to commercial pigs but paths can be found away from outside pigs. The code of practice issued by DEFRA is not strict but should be adhered to.
Table 1.1. Space parameters for outside pigs.
The owner may get permission to exercise a pet pig from the Divisional Veterinary Manager (DVM). The following rules will apply:
• An exact route must be specified and adhered to.
• The pig must be on a lead the whole time.
• There must be no contact with any other pig.
• The route must not go over agricultural land.
• The licence must be carried at the time of exercise.
Teeth
The pig at birth has 12 deciduous incisors, four deciduous canines (tusks) (Fig. 1.26) and 12 deciduous premolars. These are equally divided in the upper and lower jaws. They are all replaced by permanent teeth. They have 12 molars, which erupt later.
Reproduction
Pet pigs have the same reproductive parameters as commercial pigs. The length of gestation is 114 days with a normal variation of 2 days. The breeding cycles occur all year round, with oestrus occurring every 21 days with a variation of 1 day. Pet pigs normally have about six piglets in a litter (Fig. 1.27). It should be stressed to pet pig owners that breeding is a specialized affair and should not be carried out by amateurs. Castration should be advised at an early age unless the pigs are going for slaughter.
Environment
Real indoor pet pigs are rare. In these cases the minimum lying area should be 0.5 m2 per 100 kg of pig, with an extra 1.5 m2 for dunging and exercise. Most pet pigs are kept outside with a hut to provide some protection from the environment. A deep bed of straw is useful in winter and shade is essential in summer, a shallow water hole is beneficial (Figure 1.28).
Strong fencing is essential. Mains electric fencing is recommended to prevent the pigs rooting under a traditional fence. This rooting habit means that all electrical wires and water cables should be routed around the pig enclosure. Young pigs like to play with toys; they can be very destructive so toys and bowls etc. should be very robust. An area of concrete (not prepared with sharp gravel) is good to help the pig wear down the hooves naturally.
Manure disposal
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 |
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Temperature and ventilation
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