What issues should pig farms pay attention to in winter

The main issues that pig farms need to pay attention to in winter include insulation and ventilation of pig houses, feed management, drinking water management, hygiene and epidemic prevention, and daily management. The following is a detailed summary of these issues:

1、 Insulation and ventilation of pigsty

Insulation measures:

Timely repair the air leakage parts of the pigsty, such as cracks, gaps, and broken roofs, to prevent the invasion of "cross ventilation" and "thief ventilation".

Install windproof curtains on the doors and windows of the pigsty, and lay insulation pads or dry hay on the ground to increase indoor temperature and maintain the body temperature of the pigs.

Install insulation facilities such as electric heating plates and warm lamps, especially for delivery rooms and pigsty care facilities.

Ventilation and air exchange:

Choose the appropriate time and duration for ventilation to reduce the accumulation of harmful gases and dust.

Equipment such as exhaust fans and ventilation ducts can be installed to maintain fresh air in the pigsty.

Ventilation should be carried out under the premise of ensuring temperature to avoid pigs catching colds due to wind blowing.

2、 Feed management

Adjust feed formula:

The low temperature in winter reduces the digestion and absorption capacity of pigs, requiring an increase in the energy content of feed, such as high calorie feed such as corn, barley, and soybean cake.

Appropriately increase fat powder or oil to improve energy density.

Ensure feed quality:

Ensure the dryness and cleanliness of the feed to avoid mold and spoilage.

Regularly clean the feeding trough to prevent pigs from getting sick due to ingesting moldy feed.

Provide warm water mixing:

When feeding pigs in winter, warm water above 30 degrees Celsius can be used to mix the feed, which is beneficial for the pig's digestive system.

It is not advisable to add too much filling material to pigs each time, and they should be fed less frequently to ensure the freshness and heat of the feed.

3、 Drinking water management

Provide warm water:

Low winter water temperature may affect the water intake of pigs, leading to indigestion and affecting feeding.

Warm water should be provided for drinking to ensure that pigs drink enough water and avoid appetite loss and health problems caused by lack of water.

Drinking water hygiene:

Regularly clean drinking water equipment to maintain its integrity and cleanliness.

Avoid water dripping and leakage from drinking water equipment to prevent increased humidity in the pigsty.

4、 Health and epidemic prevention

Maintain hygiene in the pigsty:

Timely remove feces and dirt from the pigsty to keep it dry and clean.

Regularly clean and disinfect the pigsty to reduce the growth of pathogens.

Strengthen immunization:

Winter is a high incidence season for respiratory and infectious diseases in pigs, and immunization work for pigs should be strengthened.

Ensure complete vaccination and timely supplementation to avoid winter disease outbreaks.

Preventing frame biting:

In winter, there is a shortage of green feed, and pigs may develop a "bad habit" of biting frames.

It is necessary to supplement various vitamins, minerals, and trace elements in the feed, and to divide them into strong and weak groups, size groups, and timely castration.

5、 Daily management

Regularly observe health status:

Pay close attention to the health of pigs and regularly check their breathing and temperature changes.

If symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, or shortness of breath are found, they should be isolated and observed as soon as possible, and a veterinarian should be consulted for prevention and treatment.

Increase feeding density:

In winter, the breeding density can be increased by 1/3 to 1/2 of the usual number of pigs, allowing them to sleep one by one and keep warm with each other's body temperature.

But it should be noted that the density should not be too dense to avoid inducing diseases or adverse reactions.

Reduce stress:

Pigs are sensitive to temperature and environmental changes, and changes in the winter feeding environment can easily cause stress.

An appropriate amount of anti stress additives can be added during the feeding process to ensure that the pig herd maintains a stable daily life and feeding status.

In summary, pig farms need to start from multiple aspects in winter to ensure the health and production efficiency of pigs. At the same time, management measures should be flexibly adjusted according to the actual situation to cope with the cold weather and disease challenges in winter.