The most important question that must be answered in record keeping is:
What data should be collected?
But keep in mind that keeping records and not using them is as bad as not keeping records at all.
Before making a record, recognition or identification of the animals is very important. Some of the methods than can be used in creating an identity are: tattoo, plastic ear tags, and ear piercing (is discourage because it inflict injury to the animal ).
Some important Data to Collect
* Origin of your stock, Number of pigs born from the parity, routine vaccinations...
* Average starting weight, Piglet cost
* Total feed consumption/daily feed intake, Price per kilogram of feed
* Total and average weight of pigs delivered
* Heat dates, standing heat dates, Mating date, delivery date, Boar used
* Number of piglets per parity, Mortality
* Average Daily Gain (ADG), Feed Conversion Ration (FCR),Average Feed Consumption/Pig/Day/Average Feed Cost/Kilogram Gain, etc
Records can be kept on the board with details of individual animals or parities on record sheets.
