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Animal Name
Swine

Scientific Name: Sus domesticus

Class:

Order:

Body Temp: 102 degrees F

Water Consumption: up to 20 liters

Food Consumption: 5% body weight

Respiration Rate: 8 - 18 BPM
 
 

Weight:

• Adult Male 50 - 250 kg
• Adult Female 50 - 250 kg
• Newborn 1.2 kg

Avg Litter size: 8 - 15

Age at weaning: 4 - 6 weeks

Recommended Temperature: 70 degrees F

Relative Humidity : outside environment

Photo Period (light/dark): 12/12

Sexual Maturity

• Male 9- 11 months
• Female 9 - 11 months

Life Span: 6 - 9 years

Breeding Life:

• Male 3 - 4 years
• Female 3 - 4 years

Housing Requirements: Floor area/adult (6-60 sq. ft.), outdoors: open front shed, concrete floors, chain link fencing, shade trees and/or stands or cooling pond

Bleeding Methods: marginal ear vein, anterior vena cave

Anesthesia Methods: ketamine/xylazine, sodium pentobarbital, halothane, methoxyflurane

Euthanasia Methods: OD sodium pentobarbital, captive bolt gun

Problem areas & diseases: internal parasites, enteritis, salmonella, heat stroke, pneumonia

Other: certain breeds are susceptible to malignant hyperthermia

* (See NIH Guide, page 15) Housing requirements may change pending new legislation.

Animal Name
Goat

Scientific Name: Capra hircus

Class: Mammalia

Order:

Body Temp.: 39.5 degrees C (100.9 - 105.3 degrees F)

Respiration Rate: 10 - 16 BPM

Weight:

• Adult Male 50 - 100 kg
• Adult Female 50 - 85 kg
• Newborn 1 - 2 kg

Avg. Litter size: 2

Age at weaning: 3 - 6 months

Recommended Temperature: 70 degrees F

Relative Humidity: outside environment

Photo Period (light/dark): 12/12

Water Consumption: ad lib

Food Consumption: 1 kg/hay/day

Sexual Maturity:

• Male 18 months
• Female 18 months

Life Span: 8 - 15 years

Breeding Life:

• Male 4 - 5 years
• Female 5 years

* Housing Requirements: 10 - 20 sq. ft.

Bleeding Methods: Jugular, saphenous veins

Anesthesia Methods: ketamine, xylazine, methoxvflurane, halothane, sodium Pentobarbital

Euthanasia Methods: OD pentobarbital

Problem areas & diseases: Foot rot, black leg, coccidia, parasites

Other: very sensitive to xylazine and lidocaine

* (See NIH Guide, page 15) Housing requirements may change pending new legislation.

Animal Name
Sheep

Scientific Name: Ovis aries

Class: Mammalia

Order:

Body Temp.: 101 - 103 degrees F

Respiration Rate: 20 BPM

Weight:

• Adult Male 50 - 150 kg
• Adult Female 50 - 100 kg
• Newborn 1.5 - 2 kg

Avg. Litter size: 1 - 3

Age at weaning: 60 - 80 days

Recommended Temperature: 70 degrees F

Relative Humidity: outside environment

Photo Period (light/dark): 12/12

Water Consumption: ad lib

Food Consumption: 1 - 2 kg

Sexual Maturity:

• Male 18 months
• Female 18 months

Life Span: 8 - 13 years

Breeding Life:

• Male 4 - 5 years
• Female 4 - 5 years

* Housing Requirements: floor area/animal = 7.5 - 20 sq. ft., roof with 3 side walls: to ensure protection from wind and draft; wire mesh or wood slated floors; bedding: straw or wood chips

Bleeding Methods: jugular vein, saphenous vein

Anesthesia Methods: sodium pentobarbital, xylazine, ketamine

Euthansia Methods: OD sodium pentobarbital or chemical euthanasia solutions

Problem areas & diseases: coccidia, tetanus, dysentery, internal parasites, pneumonia, bloat

Other: lanolin glands; seasonally polyestrus

* (See NIH Guide, page 15). Housing requirements may change pending new legislation.

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