Learning objectives
After studying this unit you should be able to:
1 Understand why the teeth of young pigs are clipped.
2 Carry out teeth clipping on the piglet as soon as possible after its birth.
3 Handle the sow and her young with as little stress as possible to both.
Why are the teeth of piglets clipped?
Piglets bite the sow (mother) in their fight to get hold of one
of her teats and suckle. The pain caused by this disturbs the sow
causing her to get up and prevents her young from feeding. The cuts to
the sow's udder also allow germs to infect the udder. In their fight to
grasp the teat and suckle piglets will also bite and injure one another.
The simple practice of clipping the teeth as soon as possible after
birth prevents these problems.
When to clip the teeth
The piglet's teeth should be cut as soon as possible after its
birth. The teeth can be cut when the pig is only 15 minutes old. The sow
and her young should be separated for as short a time as possible. In
order to clip the teeth you will need either a pair of tooth clippers,
or pliers or forceps.
You will need someone to help you separate the sow and her young.
You will also need a box containing bedding and a clean empty pen.
Clipping the teeth
· If the sow is not
tied up separate her from her young and place her in another pen. Take
care as the sow with a litter can be dangerous.
· Corner the young pigs and keep them together or place them in a box.
· Hold the head and press the corner of the piglet's mouth so that the jaws open.
· Place the clippers on either side of
one pair of teeth making sure that the tongue is not in the way. Tilt
the head so that the pieces of the teeth will fall out of the mouth.
· Cut the teeth as close as possible to the gums.
· Clean the clippers before using them
on another piglet. Operate on the rest of the litter and when you have
finished put the piglets back with their mother immediately. Keep young
piglets warm.
Clipping the teeth