Pig Basics
What is a baby pig called?
Piglet
Name two crops grown in Nebraska that can be used in pig feed.
Possible answers: corn, soybeans, barley, wheat, alfalfa, fruits and vegetable scraps as treats.
Who takes care of the pigs every day?
Farmers
Name one food product that can come from pigs.
Possible answers: bacon, pork chops, ham, sausage, pepperoni, ribs, etc.
Truth or hogwash: Pork products produced on farms in the United States are only used in our own country.
HOGWASH!! Pork products from the United States are shipped all over the world. Japan and Mexico are the leading buyers.
What is a mother pig called?
Sow
True or false: pigs are omnivores (can eat plant and animal products)
TRUE!! They are omnivores and enjoy eating anything they can find, including plants and bugs!
Name one thing that pigs need every day besides food.
Possible answers: shelter, water, clean bedding, care
After pigs leave a farm, what kind of store sells the pork meat?
A grocery store or supermarket.
Truth or Hogwash: Chewing gum, crayons, bristle brushes, and drum heads are all byproducts of pigs.
Byproduct: a secondary product made from what would otherwise be wasted.
TRUTH!! The parts that cannot be used for food (blood, bones, hooves, hair, hide, and fat) are used to make these byproducts.
True or False: pigs are mammals and produce milk for their babies.
TRUE
What nutrient helps build muscle: protein, sugar, or water?
True or false: pig farmers only take care of pigs on the weekdays.
False -- pig farmers take care of the pigs every day!
This pig product is a popular pizza topping.
Pepperoni or Canadian bacon
Truth or Hogwash: All pigs are pink.
HOGWASH!! Some kinds of pigs are pink (white), but other kinds can be black, brown, spotted, or a mix of colors!
Do pigs have a better sense of smell than humans do?
Yes!
Finish the sentence: farmers add calcium to pigs' diets because _________________.
What does a veterinarian do on a pig farm?
Keep pigs healthy and prevent disease.
Name two people besides a farmer who help get pork to your plate.
Truth or Hogwash: Female hogs, called sows, are pregnant for 3 months, 3 weeks, and 3 days before giving birth.
TRUTH!! Sows are pregnant for about 114 days (3 months, 3 weeks, and 3 days) before they give birth to a litter of piglets. Each sow has an average litter of 10-14 piglets.
What part of a pig does it use to dig and explore?
Its snout (nose)
If pigs don't get enough nutrients, what could happen?
Possible answers: they won't grow, they will get sick, they will have less energy, eventually they can die.
Why do some pig barns have fans?
To keep the pigs comfortable and cool.
Put these people who help get pork to families in order: truck driver, farmer, family, grocery store
Farmer → truck driver → grocery store → family
Truth or Hogwash: Pigs lay in the dirt because they are lazy and dirty.
HOGWASH!! Pigs roll in the mud or water to cool off because they cannot sweat like humans can. As mud dries on their skin, water evaporates and cools the skin and provides a barrier from the sun.