18/09/2025
Pig farming TERMINOLOGY
(alphabetically)
In every industry there are terms used in communication for easy understanding amongst people in the industry. It doesnβt matter if you are a professional or not if youβre in piggery industry you should be able to understand the basic terminologies so dat one person will not just come and speak then and charge you big money for their services. I have made them step by step and well explained. Thank you as you read.
Adult pig β any pig over the age of 9 months
Arks or hutches β portable hut containing straw used to house pigs in paddocks, including for farrowing.
Baconer β market pigs which weigh Between 85 kg and 135kg live weight (or 65β100 kg dressed weight).
Barrow β a male pig castrated before puberty.
Biosecurity β the process to prevent diseases from entering an area, whether it is at a countryβs border, between states and territories or an individual piggery.
Boar β an uncastrated male pig over nine (9) months-of-age.
Creep β an area of the piglet protection pen which is heat to keep the piglets warm.
Deep litter system β a type of group housing system in which pigs are kept on a deep layer of bedding material, usually straw.
Dry sow β an adult female pig that is between litters (does not currently have any piglets) and is not lactating.
Entire male β a pig that has not be castrated
Estrus/Oestrus cycle - the 21days between standing heat periods.
Farrowing β when a sow gives birth to piglets
Farrowing pen β see piglet protection pen.
Feeder/self feeder β equipment from which feed is dispensed.
Feeding station β an enclosure used in group housing systems that animals enter into one at a time to be fed.
Finisher β grower pigs over 70 kg liveweight.
Foster β a management practice when a piglet is moved soon after birth so that it is fed by a sow that is not its mother.
Free range β where all sows, boars and their piglets live outside, with access to shelter.
Gestation β pregnancy.
Gestation stall free