Monday, October 22, 2012

Facility Type For Pigs - Easy And Important Steps For Raising Pigs

By Sarah Brown


The choice of facility type primarily involves a balancing of capital investment, labor requirement, and management expertise. Animal and worker welfare are primary concerns for producers, regardless of the type of facilities chosen. The key to good pig care rests more on the producer's ability to properly manage housing than it does on the specific type of housing than it does on the specific type of housing provided. An old dairy barn or machine shed with a concrete floor is a good place to start. Using existing facilities is one way a small operation can produce pork economically. Whatever the facility, housing must supply adequate space for each when raising pigs.

For farrowing a sow, use an A-frame or portable hut in the pasture. Single housing units provide isolation for farrowing and the ability to move to clean ground or pasture in the warmer months of the year. Sandy pasture soil makes this system work, as the water drains through the soil instead of creating mud holes. Deep-bedded straw and a corner hover can provide piglets the opportunity to get away from their mother so they do not get laid on and crushed.Farrowing in the cold months requires heat lamps or mats for the newborn pigs.

Temperature is important for pig survival, so pigs may need supplemental heat in winter months. Finishing pigs will keep a sleeping area clean if they have enough room to dung in a drafty area y the water source and if feed is available in a self-feeder away from drafts. The optimal temperature varies based on the age of the pigs: 80F-85F for piglets, 70F-75F for just weaned pigs, 60F-70F for grow finisher pigs, and 60F for sows and boars. Be sure to provide enough waterers fro the number and size of pigs.

You can ask others to help in building your pig housing, but if you are starting small you can do it on your own. You do not want them to be crammed together and uncomfortable in their places if their number increases. If the environment permits, make enough room for more pigs because you are going to breed them. Also make sure that the water irrigation system has an outlet that will not cause any issue with the government and the community.

The pigs are also strong, with their bulky built and strong muscles. This requires for pig housing to be strong in able to hold them in. Some housing that is situated at ground level is made of cement and solid bearings so that the pigs cannot escape from it or be able to bring it down.




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