NW I Issue 35 I 2013 noteworthy Small landholder series NW 68 I2015 Small scale pig ownership

Keeping pigs as pets or for These apply to everyone, not just the property. The tattoo/brand production can be an extremely large producers. number is registered with DAFWA. rewarding experience. The Model Code of Practice for To apply the brand you will need However there are four key points the Welfare of Animals: Pigs (Third a pig striker, which is a special you will need to consider before Edition) provides information on tool designed for this purpose. beginning this new venture: the minimum welfare requirements There are several manufacturers in to ensure pigs cope well in their Australia that make pig strikers. • local government authority environment and that factors (LGA) rules and regulations You must also register with such as growth, reproductive PigPass. This applies to all pigs, • welfare obligations performance, disease levels, even pet pigs, and is free to injuries and death rates are within • animal identification and register. movement requirements industry standards. Once you have registered you • your reasons for keeping pigs. Pig identification and can generate a PigPass National movement Addressing these points will not Vendor Declaration (NVD) online only help you to be a responsible All properties where pigs are kept for free. will require a Property Identification pig owner, but hopefully eliminate A PigPass National Vendor Code (PIC). any potential neighbourly disputes, Declaration (NVD) is a form that loss of income from sick animals This number is issued by the and in some cases prosecution if Department of Agriculture and animals are incorrectly identified. Food, Western Australia (DAFWA). Owning pigs can be a Pigs over the age of 10 weeks rewarding experience, but Local government authority must be identified with a slap regulations make sure you know what brand within seven days of leaving your obligations are. Before you bring pigs onto your property check first with your LGA. All LGAs have different rules, regulations and approvals that must be adhered to when planning on keeping pigs. If you don’t consult your LGA and obtain their approval you could risk fines and the pigs could be removed from your care.

Welfare There are minimum standards for animal welfare when it comes to keeping pigs.

Supporting your success 1 NW I IssueNW 3568 II 20132015 combines the waybill details with important information about the food safety and health status of the stock. Pigs leaving or arriving at a property must be accompanied by a valid, completed waybill - a PigPass NVD will meet this requirement. For more information on pig identification and movement requirements in Western Australia please visit the DAFWA website and search ‘pig identification’. with pigs and their behaviours Before purchasing, Reasons for keeping pigs before managing the more consider your reasons for complex process of mating and keeping pigs. As a business farrowing. Breeds such as Berkshire and Keeping pigs on a small scale can Hampshire are also available in offer extra income. As a pet smaller numbers. Depending on how you run your Pigs are curious and intelligent Most commercial producers use a business, there can be some creatures and can make wonderful mix of the main breeds to benefit lucrative markets for pork. companion animals. from the effects of cross-breeding. There are several production Ensure that your pet is bought styles that can be used for pigs. from a reputable breeder. Asking Housing to view the parents can give you Pigs can be kept both indoors and Farrow to finish - This is where an indication of how big your pig outdoors. Nesting material should the entire production cycle from will grow. be provided as pigs love to nest. conception to sale occurs on the property. There are many breeders who This can be in the form of old claim that they are ‘miniature’ pig blankets, straw or sawdust. This type of operation requires breeders, however there is no a lot of patience and care, as Outdoor pigs must always be breed of pig that is permitted in farrowing is a difficult time for most provided with shelter to protect Australia that is a true miniature pigs. them from the elements. Don’t variety. forget, pigs get sunburnt too. Sows will require extra attention Often pigs are selected to be during this time to ensure their smaller than commercial pigs Paddock Information own health and that of the piglets but they can still grow to be quite Pigs like to forage and root around is not compromised. large. When you bring your piglet in paddocks, so you need to be Grow out – Small weaners are home there is a risk that it will aware of how much pigs may dig purchased and brought onto the grow much larger than you were up a paddock. property to fatten before being expecting - sometimes so-called Rotate and rest paddocks, so sold. mini pigs can grow well over that the soil and environment are This option is much simpler 100kg. protected. and requires less skill and Breeds Site selection for pigs is also stockmanship. The most common breeds of pigs important as factors such as slope, This is generally recommended in Australia are Landrace, Large soil type and vegetation can have as the first step in pig keeping as White and Duroc. an impact on environment and it will allow you to become familiar community health.

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Pigs also love to wallow. banana and apple; Australian dairy products such as cheese; Commonly pigs will overturn water and bread or biscuits can be fed troughs so that they can wallow in as treats. the mud. Cool fresh water for drinking must Imagine how you would feel if you Provide an additional space for be available at all times. were responsible for a disease pigs to wallow and ensure that outbreak in Australia. troughs are difficult to overturn. If you are moving your pigs to another property, then they cannot For more information about which If you design the watering be without water for more than 12 foods are illegal to feed to pigs and wallowing areas carefully hours at a time, so make sure that in Western Australia, visit the this should stop pigs from they have frequent access to a DAFWA website and search ‘pig compromising their water supply, good quality water supply. feed’. particularly on a hot summer’s day. Establish a routine from the Separation distances between Health beginning and you will avoid most community buildings and housing Pigs can get sick, and are also problems. is an important consideration if you carriers for some diseases that are transferable to humans. are planning on keeping more than Swill Feeding just a few pigs. Swill feeding is the practice of Diseases such as leptospirosis, Check with your LGA for feeding meat, meat products or erysipelas, and brucellosis can be regulations. anything that has been in contact transferred to humans and other animals. Odour is often the cause of with meat to pigs. neighbour disputes and can cause It is illegal and if you are caught Regular vaccination for distress and anxiety within the feeding swill to pigs you can face leptospirosis and erysipelas can community. harsh fines. help keep these diseases under control. As a responsible pig owner you If you feed milk or dairy products must consider these factors to pigs, you must also make sure One of the best ways to prevent carefully when setting up your the products are of Australian disease is to ensure that feral pigs property for pigs. origin. and feral dogs do not have contact with your pigs. Feed and water Swill can carry exotic diseases that could devastate our livestock Pigs can also become infected Pigs are omnivorous and will eat industries. with the human influenza virus and most feedstuffs including grains, transfer this virus, so be vigilant eggs, dairy products, fruits and Feeding swill to pigs is the most about your pig’s health and contact vegetables. likely way that Australian livestock a vet if you see anything out of the may be exposed to a disease The purchase of pig pellets is ordinary. outbreak like foot-and-mouth recommended as these will be disease. In addition to vaccinations, you formulated with the necessary must also deworm your pigs. protein, carbohydrates, vitamins The 2001 outbreak of foot-and- and minerals for a healthy pig. mouth disease (FMD) in the If you fail to do this you may be United Kingdom is believed to be exposing yourself to these nasty Very young pigs should be fed the result of swill feeding to pigs. parasites. at least twice per day with high quality feed such as grain based A FMD outbreak in Australia would If you are keeping pigs as pets porridge or moistened pig pellets. ruin our dairy, beef, lamb, wool you should seriously consider de- and pork industries, cost billions sexing your pigs, as female pigs Addition of milk powder will to our economy, and necessitate will come into heat every three improve palatability. the destruction of hundreds of weeks and will become vocal, Vegetables such as diced carrot thousands of animals. temperamental and destructive and broccoli; fruits such as during this period.

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Pigs are very sensitive to heat, • Pork production accounts so during periods of hot weather for just 0.4% of the national it is important to look at ways to greenhouse gas emissions, with reduce heat stress. a target of only one kilogram of CO2 equivalents per kg of The two obvious signs of heat pork produced. stress in pigs are increased For more information respiration rate and loss of • The Australian pig herd is one Noteworthy 13 - Livestock appetite. of the healthiest in the world. It ownership requirements for is free from the top 10 diseases To prevent heat stress from small landholders that are prevalent in other pork occurring in your pigs, ensure Department of Agriculture and producing nations, such as foot- adequate ventilation and cool Food, Western Australia – and-mouth disease, Porcine water and avoid feeding during agric.wa.gov.au reproductive and respiratory the hottest part of the day (10am syndrome, Porcine epidemic Australian Pork Limited - – 4pm). diarrhoea virus, and African australianpork.com.au Curly Facts swine fever. PigPass – pigpass.com.au • Pig manure can be captured by Note: We would like to The Model Code of Practice producers and converted into acknowledge Australian Pork for the Welfare of Animals: methane gas to power the farm. Limited for their role in producing Pigs (Third edition) – publish. Manure also can be used as this Noteworthy. csiro.au/pid/5698.htm an organic fertiliser to improve crops or pasture. WA Pork Producers Association - wappa.com.au • A lean pork chop contains less than 4.7g of fat and more than 30g of protein.

Contact details Small Landholder Information Service (SLIS) agric.wa.gov.au/small_landholder +61 (0) 8 9733 7777 or +61 (0) 8 9780 6100

Important disclaimer The Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Agriculture and Food and the State of Western Australia accept no liability whatsoever by reason of negligence or otherwise arising from the use or release of this information or any part of it. © Western Australian Agriculture Authority 2015

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