Abstract
IN 1967, a pig unit was established at Wangchutaba, near
Thimphu, the capital of the Royal Kingdom of Bhutan. The
principal objective of the pig unit was to produce and distribute
robust young breeding pigs to farmers in rural communities
across the country. In 1977, the unit expanded and,
in 1978, a National Pig Breeding Centre (NPBC) was established
at Serbithang. Foundation stock included the saddleback
and large white brought in from India and, later, the
white Duroc and large black were introduced from Thailand
and the UK (Halliwell 1994). The original Wangchutaba unit,
with 40 breeding sows, also developed a fattening unit to supply
pig meat to the population of Thimphu, and two other
breeding units were established in other dzongkhags (regions)
of the country (Sarbang and Limitang). Routine veterinary
care for sows at all centres included vaccination against swine
fever and the use of a benzimidazole or ivermectin (Ivomec;
MSD AGVET) product for parasite control. At all breeding centres
there was a wide variation in piglet size and rate of weight
gain, leading to bullying and an uneven distribution of feed
resources.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 313-315 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Veterinary Record |
Volume | 150 |
Issue number | 10 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2002 |