Assessing the
conformation of a pig
A simple spreadsheet to assist in
selection of gilts for future breeding
Each breed and line of pig
has its own characteristics. However,
a generalization can be reached regarding selecting breeding stock for future
generations. The same criteria applies
to both boar and gilt selection (excluding external genitalia) |
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General overall view of the pig |
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The ideal animal provides good cushioning and flexion to all the joints. These animals will have an easier time getting up and down and are less likely to suffer from leg injuries and complaints and thus are more likely to be retained in the herd |
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The toes – the foundation of the pig |
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Toes should be big, even and well spaced to take the
weight of the animal |
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Toes too close together |
Big well spaced toes |
Toes splayed |
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Reject animals whose toes are different by 1cm or more
(adult animal) Condition of the toes The toes should have no visible cracks, swellings or injuries. This needs to include the underneath surface (palmar –front or plantar – hind feet). |
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The front leg |
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The position and angle of the dew claws indicates the
strength of the pasterns Ideally the dew claws should only just contact the floor. |
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From the side |
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Weak or dropped pastern position |
Good pastern position |
Bucked knees |
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From the front |
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Toes point inwards - varus “Bow legged” |
Toes face forward Good conformation |
Toes point outwards-valgus “Knock kneed” – “splay footed” |
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The elbow |
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Desirable conformation |
Poor conformation |
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Photographic examples: The front leg |
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The position and angle of the dew claws indicates the strength
of the pasterns Ideally the dew claws should only just contact the floor. |
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From the side |
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Weak or dropped pastern position |
Good pastern position |
Bucked knees |
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From the front |
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Toes point inwards “Bow legged” |
Toes face forward Good conformation |
Toes point outwards - “Knock kneed” – “splay footed” |
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The elbow |
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Desirable conformation |
Poor conformation |
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The hind leg |
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The position and angle of the dew claws indicates the
strength of the pasterns Ideally the dew claws should be just off the floor. |
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From the side |
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Sickled leg Angle of the hock too small |
Weak or dropped pastern position |
Good conformation |
Post-leg Angle of the hock too great |
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From the rear |
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Toes point inwards or are narrow based |
Toes face forward Good conformation |
Toes point outwards - “Cow hocked” |
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The hock |
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Desirable conformation |
Poor conformation |
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Photographic examples: The
hind leg |
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The position and angle of the dew claws indicates the
strength of the pasterns Ideally the dew claws should be just off the floor. |
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From the side |
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Sickled leg Angle of the hock too small |
Weak or dropped pastern position |
Good conformation |
Post-leg Angle of the hock too great |
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From the rear |
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Toes point inwards or is narrow based |
Toes face forward Good conformation |
Toes point outwards - “Cow hocked” |
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The hock |
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Desirable conformation |
Poor conformation – leg under abdomen |
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Reproductive examination |
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Underlines |
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There should be a minimum of 7 nipples present on each side. The nipples should be prominent, evenly spaced and straight |
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Prominent well spaced even nipples in a gilt |
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In the boar have three nipples ahead (cranial) of the prepuce |
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Vulvas |
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Infantile |
Small |
Good |
Tipped up |
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Avoid any gilt with damage to her vulval and this may cause problems at farrowing |
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Scrotum and testicles |
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Select boars with good sized testes. There is a correlation between testicular size and semen output |
Avoid any abnormalities including difference in size between testes. Avoid loose testicals |
Anus |
Any other defect |
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All gilts should be checked to ensure that an anus is present. Absence called atresia ani. Boars born without an anus die shortly after birth |
Avoid any animal with a visible defect – for example dipped shoulders |
Pigs with abnormalities – particularly heritable and congenital abnormalities should not be selected. This should include congenital tremor. Pigs which are sick or have been sick during their growth period are difficult to evaluate properly and therefore should also be avoided at selection. |
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Management and growth characteristics |
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Future breeding animals should be carefully managed and fed throughout its life. Aim for gilts to be 130 kg at 220 days with 18 mm backfat at breeding |
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Select the correct number of animals |
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To stand a reasonable chance of selecting sufficient breeding animals, from a group of good gilts, expect to only select 75% for future breeding. |
General shape and conformation |
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Remember to
examine each animal front, left, rear, right and dorsal (top) surface before
selecting the animal |
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Pig
conformation record Date:…..…Initial:
……….
Record the
ear tag (or other identification against any poor conformation recognized)
Toes |
Uneven toes: |
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Toes too close together: |
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Damaged toes: |
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Poor elbow position: |
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Weak pasterns: |
Buck kneed: |
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Knock knees gilts: |
Bow legged gilts: |
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Poor hock placement: |
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Weak pasterns: |
Post-legged: |
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Cow hocked: |
Bow legged gilts: |
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Dipped shoulders: |
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Less than 14 teats: |
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Inverted or blind teats: |
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Poor vulval or testicular shape: |
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No anus (atresia ani): |
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