Pig Basics
What is a baby pig called?
Piglet
Name two crops commonly used in pig feed.
Possible answers: corn, soybeans, barley, wheat, alfalfa
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: pigs overeat and really "pig out"
HOGWASH!! Pigs are fed carefully balanced rations matched to their age and weight that consist of feeds such as corn, soybeans, barley, etc.
What is a mother pig called?
Sow
True or false: pigs only eat plants (herbivores)
FALSE!! The 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
Why is food safety important before pork reaches grocery stores?
To keep people healthy.
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.
How many legs does a pig have?
Four
What nutrient helps build muscle: protein, sugar, or water?
To improve air quality and keep pigs comfortable.
Name 2 of the top 10 pig producing states in the United States.
Possible Answers: Iowa, Minnesota, North Carolina, Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, and South Dakota.
Truth or Hogwash: A hog is ready to go to market when it weight between 260-280 pounds.
TRUTH!! Most market pigs weigh 260-280 pounds and produce about 140 pounds of consumable meat.
What is a father pig called?
Boar
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 are two things that could happen?
Possible answers: they won't grow, they will get sick, they will have less energy, they will have weaker immune systems
What are two signs that a farmer might notice if a pig is not feeling well?
Possible answers: not eating, laying around more than usual, coughing, limping, acting differently, fever.
Put these people who help get pork to families in order: meat processor, farmer, family, grocery store
Farmer → meat processor → 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.