Processing Piglets

Earlier this month I posted about why piglets are ear notched and how it is done, so here is the rest of the procedures done for a piglet after being ear notched:

 

 

Iron shots are iron injections given to piglets in confinement that do not have access to the natural iron in the soil, thus those pigs are given supplemental iron to prevent or correct iron deficiency that creates anemia. They are born with very low levels of iron which makes them very weak and vulnerable to deadly sickness. Giving them this medication acts as a booster for great health and strength to fight off illness.

Needle-teeth clipping is a necessary part of processing because the needle teeth are actually the tusks that grow very quickly, which promotes brutal fighting. Clipping the teeth slows aggression and prevents damage to the body when the pig is alive and when it gets in a fight.

Tail docking is optional, but still part of processing. If the tails are too long, the dominant piglet will chew the end of the tails off the runts and non-dominant piglets. It also keeps the pig’s back end clean when defecating, urinating and breeding.

Castration is done only to the male piglets that will be used for non-breeding purposes. Castration is a permanent procedure that cannot be reversed. It is the complete removal of the male reproductive testicles. Castration is done in some countries to eliminate fighting in non-productive males. It also eliminates "Boar-taint", a foul tasting and smelling chemical in the meat that renders it un-consumable.