Page 326 - Primary Five Science

Farrowing is the process of giving birth to piglets by a sow

Steaming up: This is feeding of a pregnant animal on food rich

in protein.

Advantages of steaming up

 The animal builds up its body in preparation for farrowing

 Steaming up prevents low birth weight or even dead ones

 Ensures birth of a healthy calf.

 Provides nutrients for maximum foetal growth.

 Build up energy for giving birth.

 Increases and maintains high milk yield after birth.

 Promotes good health of the sow

 Accustoms the sow to concentrate feeding

Diseases and Parasites in pigs

Common diseases of pigs include; African swine fever, foot and
mouth, pneumonia, anthrax, foot rot, nagana.

1. African Swine fever

This is caused by a Virus. It also affects warthogs but they

rarely show signs.

Sign and symptoms

 High fever for 4 days

 Weakness and staggering

 Difficult and fast breathing

 Loss of weight and death

 Depression and loss of appetite,

 Hyperaemia and cyanosis (seen as reddening) of the skin,

particularly ears and snout.