Investigating Pig Needs and Habitats

Grade Level

Primary Science

Kentucky Academic Standards

K-LS1-1 - Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.

K-ESS2-2 - Construct an argument supported by evidence for how plants and animals (including humans) can change the environment to meet their needs.

K-ESS3-1 - Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants or animals (including humans) and the places they live.

K-ESS3-3 - Communicate solutions that will reduce the impact of humans on the land, water, air, and/or other living things in the local environment.

3-LS4-3 - Construct an argument with evidence that in a particular habitat some organisms can survive well, some survive less well, and some cannot survive at all.

Main Ideas

Farmers care for their pigs to meet their needs and ensure their safety.
The weather and climate impacts how farmers care for their pigs since they cannot sweat to keep cool like we do.
Farmers can change the climate in the barns so the pigs are comfortable in any weather and have food and water at all times.

Background Information

Pork production is an important industry for Kentucky farmers. While pork represents a smaller part of our farming economy, Kentucky farmers raise about 300,000 to 400,000 hogs each year. Sales of market hogs (older pigs) and pigs bring Kentucky farmers about $115 million annually.

Photo courtesy of Old Homeplace Farm, Clay County.

Pigs are raised on farms across Kentucky, with most farms being located in the western half of the commonwealth. Since pigs are not able to sweat to keep cool like humans, many of those pigs are raised in temperature-controlled barns year-round. They also stay toasty warm in the winter. When pigs are raised outdoors, farmers use other means to keep their pigs comfortable such as mud holes and fluffy bedding. Farmers may avoid having pigs outdoors during the coldest months if they are unable to keep them warm, or they may choose a pig breed that has more body hair.

A sow can have at least two litters of pigs per year, and each litter has 8-12 piglets. Many piglets are born in farrowing stalls. These keep the mother from accidentally crushing her babies; remember, she weighs many hundreds of pounds, and the piglets weigh only a few pounds when they are born. Farrowing stalls also make it easy and safe for the farmer to feed the sow, check to see if the mother is healthy, and give medicine when it is needed. After three weeks, the pigs are weaned and can move to a solid food diet.

Most pigs are given a diet of corn and soybeans, but pigs are omnivores. That means they choose to eat both plant and animal foods. Some farmers feed their pigs left over food from their farms or from restaurants. This is a good way to use food waste.

Kentucky farm families work to provide the best care for their pigs and ensure we have safe food to eat. Once the pigs weigh between 250 and 280 pounds, the farmer sells the pigs for processing. They will take them to one of Kentucky’s USDA inspected meat processing plants that make pork available to eat through grocery stores and restaurants.

Pork is packed with important nutrients and minerals. It is an excellent source of protein, as well as thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, vitamin B6, phosphorus, zinc, and potassium. These nutrients are important to our health.

Many cuts of pork are considered lean, which means they are low in fat. Pork is eaten by more people than any other meat in the world!

Many American’s favorite foods come from pork, such as ribs, bacon, chops, ham, hot dogs, and shoulder roasts (butt or picnic) often used for barbecue. After taking these popular cuts from the animal, the remaining meat is used for delicious sausage. It is likely you have enjoyed pork items at a barbecue or for breakfast.

Kentucky pork is actually used at Cracker Barrel and Dairy Queen restaurants across the United States thanks to the Kentucky-based sausage processor, Purnell’s “Old Folks” Sausage. This company is located in Simpsonville, Ky.

Pigs are also similar enough to humans that doctors can use their tissues and organs in surgeries. People regularly receive pig heart valves when their valves wear out. Pigs are incredibly valuable for human medicine.

Kentucky farmers work hard to raise healthy lean meat for consumers in our state and beyond. Pork plays an important role in our farming state.

Interest Approach

Ask students to describe the best place to live? What would it look like or feel like? What it be warm or cool? What would else would be there to help you live the most comfortable life? Food, water, clothing, things to do?

Tell students that they will learn how farmers provide the perfect living place for pigs based on their needs. It is important to know that pigs are not exactly the same as humans. They cannot sweat to keep cool like humans can, so farmers need to keep this in mind, especially during the summer months. Have you ever seen a pig or hog laying in a mud hole? If a farmer has a lot of pigs, having mud holes may not be the best solution to keep them cool, and it’s also not good for the land and water.

Show students the Kentucky Farms Feed Me Virtual Trip on Pigs and have them listen for the things that farmer Caleb Ragland provides for his pigs so they are comfortable.