PIG

Question 1

Special features of the pig

Answer 1

• No sweat gland

- Boars no brown adipose tissue

Question 2

Ancestor of the pig

Answer 2

Wild boar subspecies

Question 3

Domestication of the Pig

Answer 3

5000 BC (near east or china from wild boar)
From 8000 to 10 000 BC in china
From 4000-6000 in the mediterranean region

Question 4

Taxonomy of the Pig

Answer 4

Adult male = Boar
Adult female = SOW
Young female (not yet bred)= Gilt
Babies = Piglets
Castrated male = Barrow

Question 5

The ear of the pig

Answer 5

Wild: Upright standing
Domestic: Dropping, Looping or standing

Question 6

Body, Head, legs and Tail of the pig

Answer 6

Wild:

• Compact body
• Large
• Longer and narrower head
• Long legs
• Tail: Short and straight

Domestic:

• Small eyes
• Small tail (curly)
• Thick body
• Short legs

Question 7

Coat/colour of the Pig

Answer 7

Wild:

• Thick coat
• Brown –> grey/black

Domestic:
- White and less colourful

Question 8

Size of the pig

Answer 8

Wild:
FEMALE
Body length female: 135 cm
Body weight: 58-70kg
MALE
Body length male: 140-150cm 
Body weight male: 80-90kg (Central Europe) 200-300kg (Tusks)

Question 9

Puberty of the Pig

Answer 9

Wild =18 months

Domesticated= 5-7months/ few breeds mature not

Question 10

Breeding maturity of the pig

Answer 10

8-9months late/ 40-100kg boddy mass

Question 11

Sexual activity of the pig

Answer 11

Wild: Seasonnally monoestrus
Dom: Polyestrus, no breeding season, continuous breeder

Question 12

Fertility/ Littersize of the pig

Answer 12

Wild: 4-6 piglets/litter
Dom: 8-12 piglets/litter

Question 13

Sensory organs of the pig

Answer 13

Wild: well developed, increased fitness
Dom: well developed but optic systemless effective

Both have GREAT SMELL

Question 14

Genetic diseases/disorders of the pig

Answer 14

1. PSS - Porcine Stress Syndrome
2. Progressive Myopathy (lameness of piglets)
3. Tremor type III - Increase muscular tremors in piglets
4. PSE - Point mutation congenital, autosomal recessive, closure of calsium channels in muscles.
   Races: Landrace, Pietrain

Clinical Signs:

• Sudden death
• Pale, soft quality of the meat