HINTS FOR PIG BREEDERS.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17994, 12 April 1930, Page 22 (Supplement)

HINTS FOR PIG BREEDERS.

AGE BY THE TEETH. A VETERINARIAN’S RULES. Like the teeth of the sheep, those of the pig give a somewhat reliable indication of the animal’s age. The following description of the teeth of a pig at various ages, furnished by Mr A.' H. Robin, 8.V.5., and veterinary officer in the South Australian Department of Agriculture, will prove useful to farmers: —• At birth the pig has two sharppointed teeth placed laterally on either side of both the top and bottom jaws in front (making eight teeth in all). These teeth are like small tusks, and are really the temporary tusks and temporary ‘‘corner’ ’incisors. At one month old two temporary “central” Incisor teeth are “cut” In

both top and bottom jaws, and there are also three temporary molars or “grinding” teeth on each side top and •bottom, the front one of the three just appearing through the gum. At two months old the temporary “central” incisors are fully developed, and there are signs of the eruption of the “lateral” temporary incisorsThe first temporary molars are now nearly level with'the other two. At three months old the temporary set of incisor teeth are usually fully developed, the “laterals” being well up. Between the ages of three months and seven to eight months, no changes beyond those of wear, occur in the incisor teeth to assist in determining the age of the pig. But a very definite change occurs with respect to the molar teeth as follows: At five months old there appear on each side jaw, top and bottom, signs of the cutting of a fourth molar tooth behind the first three. This is the first of the permanent teeth. There may be cut at this time also a small “premolar" tooth in front of the first three molars, though this tootli is sometimes not developed at all. At seven to eight months old the temporary corner incisors become shed and replaced by permanent teeth, which may be seen just jutting through the gums. At nine months old the permanent corner incisors are well up and the permanent tusks, are seen coming through the gums in place of the temporary ones, which are shed. Between 10-12 months old the, fifth molar is cut, on each side top and bottom.

At one year old the central permanent incisors show signs of coming through the gums to replace the temporary teeth, which become shed. At 15 months old the three anterior “permanent” molars are in the mouth, and are readily recognised by their sharp points and unworn appearance- These teeth are’ very regular at the time of their appearance.

At the age of 17-18 months the sixth molar is cut, and the “lateral” temporary incisors are shed and replaced by new permanent teeth, which may be seen just coming through the gums. Sometimes one lateral may be well up, though the other is just coming through. At two years old the lateral permanent incisors are up level with the others, and begin to ' show signs of wear on their edges. The sixth molar is well up clear of the gums.