Determination of the physical features of native pigs and documentation of the farmers' management practices in selected barangays of Gen. Aguinaldo a by Feliciano C. Punzalan

Thesis (B.S.A.--Animal Science) Don Severino Agricultural College

Includes bibliographical references.

College of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Natural Resources (CAFENR)

PUNZALAN, FELICIANO Y CRIZALDO. "Determination of the Physical Features of Native Pigs and Documentation of the Farmers' Management Practices in Selected Barangays of Gen. Aguinaldo and Magallanes, Cavite". B.S. Thesis, Animal Science, Don Severino Agricultural College, April 1991. Adviser: Miss Cristina C. Francisco.
This study was conducted in selected barangays of Gen. Aguinaldo and Magallanes, Cavite to identify the physical characteristics of existing native pigs and to document the management practices implemented by farmers on their backyard native pig raising. A total of 100 randomly selected farmer-respondents was interviewed. The age of respondents ranged from 20-68 years old with an experience in farming of an average of 20 years. The family member usually involved in raising native pigs was the housewife. Most native pigs were kept tethered in the back-yard (77%) while the rest were housed at three piglets/ pen. Farmers who were keeping native pigs in pens preferred to use concrete floor (91.3%), coconut palm as roofing materials (39.13%), and bamboo as well (56.52%). Native pigs surveyed were used for breeding purposes (89%) and the method was natural mating. Physical manifestation such as reddening or swelling of the vulva, mucus discharge, and mounting other pigs were perceived by the respondents that their sows were in heat. Native gilts were bred at first heat. Behaviors such as nest building, restlessness, milk secretion, and grunting were the signs of coming farrowing. Respondents assisted the pregnant gilt/sow during farrowing by wiping the mucus on the nostril using a piece of clean cloth, cutting the needle teeth and umbilical cord, and helping the piglet’s suckled colostrum milk. All respondents practiced weaning. The weaning age of piglets for most of the respondents (94.38 percent) was two months old. The source of native boars for breeding was from their neighbors (92.14 percent). Pregnant pigs gestation period was more or less 114 days. Repeat breeding in native pigs occurred only at 5.62 percent. Records keeping of breeding activities were not kept by the farmers. Used of commercial feeds by farmers was according to their financial capacity. Most relied on farm resources available when they have no money.
Feeds were prepared by cooking (86 percent) although dry feeding method was the most prevalent way of method of feeding (75 percent). Twice a day feeding was observed by most raisers (96 per cent). Majority of the respondents (77 percent) allowed the native pigs particularly the piglets to scavenge around the house to find their own food. Common cold was noticed to be the most common disease that they encountered in management of native pigs and only one percent used vaccination and deworming. Consultation with a Veterinarian was not practiced by farmers.
Native pigs were sold at weaning time by most respondents (61 percent) to augment family income. Out of the 208 surveyed animals, the sows had the highest frequency (37.5 percent). The age of native pigs surveyed ranged from one month to 54 months old. Most of the native pigs that were managed by the respondents were female (68.75 percent). The weight of native pigs ranged from five to 60 kilograms. Straight face pigs were dominant than concave face. Native pigs had short snout (86 percent). Ears were small (95 percent) and slightly drooping (79 percent). The head was small in comparison with the body size. Most native pigs had slightly sagging belly (78 percent) and five pairs of teats (84 percent). Legs were proportional (75 percent) with firm pastern (87 percent). Native pigs had short and hairy tail. The coat color of all surveyed native pigs was black.

Submitted to the University Library 07/18/2007 T-1188