ANS 4102 PIG AND RABBIT PRODUCTION SYSTEMS
Course Type: Core (BSc. Agriculture - Animal science Option)
Associate Prof.D. Mutetikka (B.Sc. Agric., M.Sc. Agric., Ph.D)
1. Course description:
2. Course Credits (CU): 5 CU i.e. 60 Contact hours per semester
3. Course Duration: 15 weeks
1. Course Description:
Overview of the pig and rabbit industry in Uganda. Constraints to improved production and the potential for
improvement. Record keeping. Production systems. Breeds and breed characteristics of pigs and rabbits. Pig
production: biological characteristics of pigs; housing and construction; baby pig management; management of the
breeding herd; management of commercial stock. Rabbit production: biological characteristics of rabbits; housing and
construction; baby rabbit management; management of the breeding herd; management of commercial stock.
Control of diseases in pigs and rabbits. Marketing of pigs and rabbits.
2. Course Objectives
The overall objective is to enable the students to acquire the basic knowledge and broad understanding of production
for pigs and rabbits.
The specific objectives are to:
1. gain an overview of the pig and rabbit industries in Uganda , their importance and constraints to improved
production.
2. gain practical understanding of the husbandry systems used in the production of rabbits and pigs in
Uganda.
3. Students should understand the how fundamental principles gained from nutrition and introduction to animal
agriculture are applied to improve production of pigs and rabbits.
4. through farm visits gain practical understanding of the husbandry practices used in the production of pigs
and rabbits
3. References
1. Richard Battaglia. 2001. Handbook of Livestock Management. Prentice Hall Inc, New Jersey USA.
2. CTA: A manual for pig production in the tropics.
3. CTA:Rabbit Production.
4. Eusebio: Pig Production in the Tropics.
4. COURSE CONTENT, METHODS OF INSTRUCTION, TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT REQUIRED
TOPIC
CONTENT
METHOD OF
INSTRUCTION /
Time allocated
TOOLS /
EQUIPMENT
NEEDED
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Current status
Trend
Potential and Opportunities
Free ranging to scavenge for food.
Tethered or confined in a backyard
Commercial units (Small, medium or large
Interactive
lecture (2 hrs)
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Interactive
lecture (3 hrs)
Chalk / BB or
Markers / Flip
charts
Interactive
lecture (5 hrs)
Chalk / BB or
Markers / Flip
charts
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Statutory regulations
Purpose of production
Location
Land available
Capital requirements
Management
Feed and health
Gilts/sows: Bucks and Does
Growth capacity
Environmental Requirements
Housing
Intensive housing
Semi-intensive housing
Principles of housing in pigs/rabbits
Preweaning and early postweaning
Weaning
Growing pigs (20-50 kg)
Finishing
Breeding pigs
Drinking water requirements
Factors to Consider in Pig/Rabbit Housing
Constructions of Pig Buildings.
Lecture (6 hrs)
Practical (4 hrs)
Chalk / BB or
Markers / Flip
charts
Lecture (3 hr)
Practical (2 hrs
Chalk / BB or
Markers / Flip
charts
7. General
management
practices
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Management of baby pigs
Management of weanling pigs
Management of market pigs
Management of breeding stock
Lecture (8 hr)
Practical (3 hrs
8. Breeds and
breeding
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Breeds
Breeding systems
Selection of breeding stock
Important characteristics to select for
Artificial insemination
Planning an annual breeding program
Guidelines for Herd Health
African swine fever
Sarcoptic mange
Mastitis-metritis-agalactiae syndrome
Helminthosis
Planning for the market
Weaners
Slaughter Pigs
Improvements in the Marketing System
Lecture (4 hr)
Practical (4 hrs
Chalk / BB or
Markers / Flip
charts/ LCD
Lecture (2 hr)
Practical (3 hrs
Chalk / BB or
Markers /
Drugs/disinfectant
s/deworming guns
Lecture (2 hr)
Chalk / BB or
Markers / Flip
charts
1. The pig and rabbit
industry in Uganda
2. Production
systems
3. Planning a
pig/rabbit production
unit
4. Production traits
5. Nutrition and
Feeding Programs
6. Pig and rabbit
housing
9.Health and
Hygiene
10. Marketing
Interactive
lecture (4 hrs)
Chalk / BB or
Markers / Flip
charts
Chalk / BB or
Markers / Flip
charts
General delivery Approach
Lecturers covering the theory
Field practicals and farm visits
Case study reports
Overall evaluation.
Continuous assessment examinations
Practical assignments
University examinations
20%
20%
60%