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)

General overall view of the pig

Conformation characteristics

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

The toes – the foundation of the pig

Toes should be big, even and well spaced to take the weight of the animal

Conformation toes too close

Conformation Toes well spaced

pig 55

Toes too close together

Big well spaced toes

Toes splayed

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).

pig a 31

The front leg

The position and angle of the dew claws indicates the strength of the pasterns

Ideally the dew claws should only just contact the floor.

From the side

Conformation front leg OK

Conformation front leg good

Conformation front leg bad

Weak or dropped pastern position

Good pastern position

Bucked knees

From the front

 

 

Conformation front bow legged

Conformation front good

Conformation front knock knee

Toes point inwards - varus

“Bow legged”

Toes face forward

Good conformation

Toes point outwards-valgus

“Knock kneed” – “splay footed”

The elbow

Conformation legs

Conformation of a pig poor

Desirable conformation

Poor conformation

Photographic examples: The front leg

The position and angle of the dew claws indicates the strength of the pasterns

Ideally the dew claws should only just contact the floor.

From the side

Legs dropped pastern1

Conformation foreleg good

leg conformation kr

Weak or dropped pastern position

Good pastern position

Bucked knees

From the front

Conformation front bow legged

Conformation front good

 

 

pig a 19

Toes point inwards

“Bow legged”

Toes face forward

Good conformation

Toes point outwards -

“Knock kneed” – “splay footed”

The elbow

Conformation front good

Conformation of a pig poor

Desirable conformation

Poor conformation

 


 


The hind leg

The position and angle of the dew claws indicates the strength of the pasterns

Ideally the dew claws should be just off the floor.

From the side

Conformation hind leg sickle hock

Conformation hind leg soft pastern

Conformation hing leg good

Conformation hind leg post leg

Sickled leg

Angle of the hock too small

Weak or dropped pastern position

Good conformation

Post-leg

Angle of the hock too great

From the rear

 

 

Conformation hind leg toes out

Conformation hind leg good

Conformation hind leg cow hocked

Toes point inwards or are narrow based

Toes face forward

Good conformation

Toes point outwards -

“Cow hocked”

The hock

Conformation legs

Conformation of a pig poor

Desirable conformation

Poor conformation


Photographic examples: The hind leg

The position and angle of the dew claws indicates the strength of the pasterns

Ideally the dew claws should be just off the floor.

From the side

Leg fine boned 2

Leg dropper pastern back 1

Conformation hindleg good

Leg conformation pointing kr

Sickled leg

Angle of the hock too small

Weak or dropped pastern position

Good conformation

Post-leg

Angle of the hock too great

From the rear

 

 

Conformation hind narrow based

Boar conformation plain

Conformation hind cow hock

Toes point inwards or is narrow based

Toes face forward

Good conformation

Toes point outwards -

“Cow hocked”

The hock

Conformation hind good

Conformation hind angle poor

Desirable conformation

Poor conformation – leg under abdomen

Reproductive examination

Underlines

There should be a minimum of 7 nipples present on each side.

The nipples should be prominent, evenly spaced and straight

Gilt conformation teat line 5

Prominent well spaced even nipples in a gilt

Conformation nipple line boar

In the boar have three nipples ahead (cranial) of the prepuce

Vulvas

 

Conformation vulva infantile

Conformation vulval upturn

Conformation vulva normal

Conformation vuval upturned

Infantile

Small

Good

Tipped up

Avoid any gilt with damage to her vulval and this may cause problems at farrowing


 

Scrotum and testicles

Conformation boar testicals

Repro Atrophia testis 01 sw

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

Atresia ani 04sw

Conformation dipped shoulder

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.

Management and growth characteristics

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

Select the correct number of animals

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

 

Remember to examine each animal front, left, rear, right and dorsal (top) surface before selecting the animal

 

Anat Skin face

Anat Skin left

Anat Skin rear

Anat Skin left

Anat Skin back

Boar conformation 1


 

Pig conformation record Date:…..…Initial: ……….

Record the ear tag (or other identification against any poor conformation recognized)

 

Toes

 

Uneven toes:

 

Toes too close together:

 

Damaged toes:

 

Leg conform drawing

Poor elbow position:

Weak pasterns:

Buck kneed:

Knock knees gilts:

Bow legged gilts:

Leg conform draw back1

Poor hock placement:

 

 

 

Weak pasterns:

 

 

 

Post-legged:

Cow hocked:

Bow legged gilts:

Dipped shoulders:

 

 

Less than 14 teats:

 

 

Inverted or blind teats:

 

 

 

Poor vulval or testicular shape:

 

No anus (atresia ani):