We are now entering the autumn-winter seasonal transition. The day-night temperature difference in our city continues to widen, the climate is dry, and stress caused by alternating cold and warm conditions is pronounced. This is a peak-risk period for respiratory diseases in pigs andpiglet viraldiarrhea. To provide scientific guidance to pig farms and farmers on coordinating barn insulation and ventilation, strengthening feeding management, biosecurity, and disease prevention and control, preparing in advance for overwintering, reducing farming losses caused by seasonal changes, and stabilizing pig production, the Handan Animal HusbandryTechnologyExtension Station has prepared this technical guidance for pig farming during the autumn-winter seasonal transitiontechnologyGuidance for pig farmers and industry practitioners for reference.
I. Pig housing environment management: balance insulation and ventilation
1, thoroughly inspect and repair pig housing facilities. Inspect and repair pig farm walls, roofs, doors, windows, and vents; seal cracks in walls and gaps that let in drafts; and install cotton curtains or barriers at entrances to prevent cold drafts from blowing directly onto the pigs. Test heating, power supply, and water supply equipment in advance, including heat lamps, electric heating panels, warm-air furnaces, water pipes, electrical circuits, and emergency generators, and eliminate safety hazards such as electrical leakage, fires, and frozen or cracked pipes. For open-sided pig housing, prepare plastic insulation film and cover it promptly when temperatures drop.
2, control indoor temperatures by production stage. The following are suitable temperature ranges for production: maintain farrowing rooms for sows at 16–27℃ and newborn piglet rooms at 27–35℃; keep nursery rooms at 16–28℃; and maintain boar rooms, rooms for non-pregnant and pregnant sows, and grower-finisher pig rooms at 13–25℃, 13–27℃, and 13–27℃, respectively. Minimize day-to-night temperature differences inside the housing and avoid sudden temperature rises or drops.
3, ventilate and exchange air scientifically. Give priority to ventilation and air exchange around midday each day, for 10–15 minutes each time; do not open windows wide at night or in the early morning. Prioritize insulation while providing moderate ventilation, and promptly remove harmful gases such as ammonia and hydrogen sulfide. Maintain relative humidity inside the housing at 60%–70%; remove manure frequently and keep pens dry to reduce dust that can trigger respiratory diseases.
II. Optimize nutritional feeding to strengthen the pigs’ resilience
1, adjust the diet formulation. While ensuring the feed provides complete nutrition, moderately increase the energy level of the diet by adding energy ingredients such as corn or an appropriate amount of vegetable oil. Add multivitamins, amino acids, and other supplements to feed or drinking water to improve stress resistance. Store feed in dry conditions to prevent mold and moisture, and prevent damage to pig health from mycotoxins.
2, manage feeding scientifically. The amount of feed may be increased moderately; where conditions permit, an additional nighttime feeding may be introduced. Multiple feedings per day may be used, with smaller amounts offered more frequently. Ensure an adequate supply of clean drinking water. Farms with suitable facilities should provide warm water to prevent pigs from expending body heat drinking cold water and developing diarrhea. Change feed gradually; do not switch feed abruptly, to reduce feeding stress.
3, classification managementBreeding pigs。Provide short-term enhanced feeding for non-pregnant sows, ensure adequate lighting, and promote estrus and breeding; feed pregnant sows precisely by stage to maintain stable body condition and reduce stress to prevent miscarriage; keep boars at an appropriate body condition, provide moderate exercise, and ensure semen quality.
Three. Strengthen biosecurity and intensify the prevention and control of key diseases
1, strictly manage biosecurity. Implement physical isolation of the farm area, wash and disinfect personnel, vehicles, and supplies, and ensure personnel change clothes and disinfect before entering the farm. Use disinfectants suitable for low temperatures and regularly disinfect the farm area, pig houses, and roads; control rodents and deter birds, block rodent burrows, and cut off the transmission of diseases by vectors. Maintain an all-in, all-out system; after each batch of pigs is shipped out, thoroughly clean and disinfect the facilities and leave the pens empty. All introduced breeding stock must undergo quarantine, isolation and observation, and health testing, and may only be integrated into the main herd after being confirmed safe.
2, standardize vaccination and monitoring. In accordance with the autumn centralized immunization work plan, carry out compulsory vaccination against foot-and-mouth disease and other diseases, maintain complete vaccination records, and promptly identify and address any gaps. Based on the specific conditions of the farm, vaccinate against diseases such as viral diarrhea and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome. Strengthen routine inspections and monitoring, promptly identify and isolate sick pigs, and collect samples for timely risk monitoring.
3, standardize the disposal of dead pigs. Immediately isolate any suspected cases, report them as required, and strictly implement measures such as culling and safe disposal. It is strictly prohibited to abandon, transport, or sell dead or diseased pigs at will, to prevent the spread of disease.
Four. Refine production management to reduce human-induced stress
1, reasonably regulate stocking density. Stocking density may be moderately increased so pigs can keep warm through mutual body heat, but it must not be too high, to avoid fighting among pigs and the accumulation of harmful gases. Where possible, avoid moving or mixing groups and weaning during the seasonal transition from autumn to winter, so as to reduce the combined effects of multiple stressors.
2, deworm at the appropriate time. In accordance with the farm’s deworming plan, complete deworming of the pig herd before winter to reduce the risk of internal and external parasites consuming nutrients and triggering secondary infections.
3, improve production records. Continue keeping records of immunization, disinfection, feed consumption, illness in the pig herd, deaths, and other relevant information to facilitate traceability and risk assessment.
Five. Plan ahead for winter protection and prepare for emergencies
1, stock up on winter supplies. Stock up in advance on emergency supplies such as quality feed, insulation materials, disinfectants, and heating fuel to address possible disruptions to supply transportation caused by cold snaps, rain, or snow.
2, establish emergency plans. Closely monitor weather warnings and develop response plans for extreme weather such as cold waves, strong winds, rain, and snow. If temperatures drop sharply, promptly implement cold-protection measures.
Livestock farms and farmers should closely monitor weather changes and refer to the abovetechnicalFocus on implementing all measures, continuously monitor the health of the pig herd, promptly address various problems that arise during production, and smoothly navigate the critical breeding stage during the transition between autumn and winter.
I. Pig housing environment management: balance insulation and ventilation
1, thoroughly inspect and repair pig housing facilities. Inspect and repair pig farm walls, roofs, doors, windows, and vents; seal cracks in walls and gaps that let in drafts; and install cotton curtains or barriers at entrances to prevent cold drafts from blowing directly onto the pigs. Test heating, power supply, and water supply equipment in advance, including heat lamps, electric heating panels, warm-air furnaces, water pipes, electrical circuits, and emergency generators, and eliminate safety hazards such as electrical leakage, fires, and frozen or cracked pipes. For open-sided pig housing, prepare plastic insulation film and cover it promptly when temperatures drop.
2, control indoor temperatures by production stage. The following are suitable temperature ranges for production: maintain farrowing rooms for sows at 16–27℃ and newborn piglet rooms at 27–35℃; keep nursery rooms at 16–28℃; and maintain boar rooms, rooms for non-pregnant and pregnant sows, and grower-finisher pig rooms at 13–25℃, 13–27℃, and 13–27℃, respectively. Minimize day-to-night temperature differences inside the housing and avoid sudden temperature rises or drops.
3, ventilate and exchange air scientifically. Give priority to ventilation and air exchange around midday each day, for 10–15 minutes each time; do not open windows wide at night or in the early morning. Prioritize insulation while providing moderate ventilation, and promptly remove harmful gases such as ammonia and hydrogen sulfide. Maintain relative humidity inside the housing at 60%–70%; remove manure frequently and keep pens dry to reduce dust that can trigger respiratory diseases.
II. Optimize nutritional feeding to strengthen the pigs’ resilience
1, adjust the diet formulation. While ensuring the feed provides complete nutrition, moderately increase the energy level of the diet by adding energy ingredients such as corn or an appropriate amount of vegetable oil. Add multivitamins, amino acids, and other supplements to feed or drinking water to improve stress resistance. Store feed in dry conditions to prevent mold and moisture, and prevent damage to pig health from mycotoxins.
2, manage feeding scientifically. The amount of feed may be increased moderately; where conditions permit, an additional nighttime feeding may be introduced. Multiple feedings per day may be used, with smaller amounts offered more frequently. Ensure an adequate supply of clean drinking water. Farms with suitable facilities should provide warm water to prevent pigs from expending body heat drinking cold water and developing diarrhea. Change feed gradually; do not switch feed abruptly, to reduce feeding stress.
3, classification managementBreeding pigs。Provide short-term enhanced feeding for non-pregnant sows, ensure adequate lighting, and promote estrus and breeding; feed pregnant sows precisely by stage to maintain stable body condition and reduce stress to prevent miscarriage; keep boars at an appropriate body condition, provide moderate exercise, and ensure semen quality.
Three. Strengthen biosecurity and intensify the prevention and control of key diseases
1, strictly manage biosecurity. Implement physical isolation of the farm area, wash and disinfect personnel, vehicles, and supplies, and ensure personnel change clothes and disinfect before entering the farm. Use disinfectants suitable for low temperatures and regularly disinfect the farm area, pig houses, and roads; control rodents and deter birds, block rodent burrows, and cut off the transmission of diseases by vectors. Maintain an all-in, all-out system; after each batch of pigs is shipped out, thoroughly clean and disinfect the facilities and leave the pens empty. All introduced breeding stock must undergo quarantine, isolation and observation, and health testing, and may only be integrated into the main herd after being confirmed safe.
2, standardize vaccination and monitoring. In accordance with the autumn centralized immunization work plan, carry out compulsory vaccination against foot-and-mouth disease and other diseases, maintain complete vaccination records, and promptly identify and address any gaps. Based on the specific conditions of the farm, vaccinate against diseases such as viral diarrhea and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome. Strengthen routine inspections and monitoring, promptly identify and isolate sick pigs, and collect samples for timely risk monitoring.
3, standardize the disposal of dead pigs. Immediately isolate any suspected cases, report them as required, and strictly implement measures such as culling and safe disposal. It is strictly prohibited to abandon, transport, or sell dead or diseased pigs at will, to prevent the spread of disease.
Four. Refine production management to reduce human-induced stress
1, reasonably regulate stocking density. Stocking density may be moderately increased so pigs can keep warm through mutual body heat, but it must not be too high, to avoid fighting among pigs and the accumulation of harmful gases. Where possible, avoid moving or mixing groups and weaning during the seasonal transition from autumn to winter, so as to reduce the combined effects of multiple stressors.
2, deworm at the appropriate time. In accordance with the farm’s deworming plan, complete deworming of the pig herd before winter to reduce the risk of internal and external parasites consuming nutrients and triggering secondary infections.
3, improve production records. Continue keeping records of immunization, disinfection, feed consumption, illness in the pig herd, deaths, and other relevant information to facilitate traceability and risk assessment.
Five. Plan ahead for winter protection and prepare for emergencies
1, stock up on winter supplies. Stock up in advance on emergency supplies such as quality feed, insulation materials, disinfectants, and heating fuel to address possible disruptions to supply transportation caused by cold snaps, rain, or snow.
2, establish emergency plans. Closely monitor weather warnings and develop response plans for extreme weather such as cold waves, strong winds, rain, and snow. If temperatures drop sharply, promptly implement cold-protection measures.
Livestock farms and farmers should closely monitor weather changes and refer to the abovetechnicalFocus on implementing all measures, continuously monitor the health of the pig herd, promptly address various problems that arise during production, and smoothly navigate the critical breeding stage during the transition between autumn and winter.