Key points for pig herd management in summer

The weather is hot in summer and the air humidity is high. The high temperature and high humidity environment easily causes the spread of pathogens, so good management work must be done. Let’s learn about the key points of pig herd management in summer.

1. Pig house environment

Pig houses use water to cool down by means of sunshade, planting green plants, roof spraying, wet curtains and reducing stocking density . At the same time, installing ventilation equipment such as air conditioners, electric fans, and exhaust fans in the pig house can keep the pig house ventilated and cool down the temperature. In addition, ventilation can reduce harmful gases such as ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and carbon dioxide in the pig house.

2. Reduce stocking density

Reduce stocking density, avoid crowding, improve air quality, and reduce heat stress, especially for pregnant sows. If the stocking density is too high, they will easily become irritable due to the heat, causing fighting and miscarriage. The general stocking density in summer is 0.3~0.6 square meters per head for piglets, 0.8~1.2 square meters per head for growing pigs, and pregnant sows are raised in single pens.

3. Drink water to cool down

Water plays an important role in regulating the pig's body temperature. Increase the number of drinking fountains and increase the water supply. The hotter the weather, the higher the water demand. Adequate drinking water can also promote appetite. Pig farms with conditions can also add 0.1% to 0.2% salt or electrolytes to drinking water, and cold water is more effective.

4. Nutritional regulation

High temperatures in summer will cause pigs to eat less, so we need to increase the nutrition of the feed accordingly and control the daily feed amount, especially the energy and vitamin levels, to prevent reduced feed intake and nutritional imbalance. Therefore, we need to choose fresh raw materials and add attractants appropriately to increase feed intake and maintain a higher growth rate for commercial pigs.

5. Feeding method

In summer, the daytime temperature is high, pigs' appetite decreases, and their food intake decreases. They can be fed in the morning and evening to avoid the high temperature at noon. Feed wet mixed feed, not too much each time, and make sure the fish eat it all. However, the feeding time should be adjusted gradually and in accordance with the temperature changes, and should not be changed suddenly.

6. Hygiene management

Most diseases in summer are caused by mosquitoes and flies. The pig house can be kept clean and hygienic by sweeping and washing, and odor can be reduced; mosquito and fly repellents can be sprayed in or around the pig house; and mosquitoes and flies can be cultivated and fermented to decompose harmful substances and reduce their breeding.

7. Add appropriate medication

Adding 0.3% baking soda to the feed can neutralize the acid in the body, release carbon dioxide in the digestive tract, take away some heat, and maintain normal acid-base balance in the body. Add a large amount of vitamin C to the feed. Vitamin C has antioxidant effects and can resist heat stress. When the temperature exceeds 34 degrees, add 400 mg per kilogram of feed.

8. Prevent heatstroke and cool down

To lower the temperature in the house, you can use cool water to flush the ground in the pen to cool it down. Flush it several times at noon and in the afternoon every day to effectively cool down the pig house. If conditions permit, the pig farm can buy a power sprayer to spray and cool the ground, roof and pig bodies 3-4 times a day.

9. Disease prevention and treatment

In addition to carrying out immunization according to the immunization procedure, prevention and control work should also be done for diseases that are common in hot seasons, such as sow metritis-mastitis-against galactiae syndrome, piglet yellow and white diarrhea, toxoplasmosis, chlamydia and other diseases.

That’s it