Autumn is often called the golden season for pig farming because pigs gain weight quickly and feed is used efficiently during this season. However, autumn also has its drawbacks: large day-to-night temperature changes can easily lead to various diseases. Damp, cold pig housing can therefore greatly increase pigs’ risk of illness and reduce their feed utilization. Here are a few key points to keep in mind when raising pigs in autumn:
One. Disease prevention and control at the pig farm
1, Disinfection of the pig housing environment
Environmental disinfection refers to the main measures for eliminating pathogens in the pig-house environment, blocking or interrupting their transmission, and preventing disease outbreaks. Each pig farm should develop a scientific, reasonable, and comprehensive disinfection protocol based on the local climate and disease situation to ensure the healthy development of the herd. In addition, pig-farm disinfection must be carried out 360 degrees thoroughly, with no blind spots; not a single corner can be missed. Only when disinfection is carried out thoroughly throughout the farm can the herd be provided with good protection.
2: Preventive care for the herd
Preventive care is mainly intended to reduce the occurrence of disease on pig farms and improve the herd’s own resistance. As autumn and winter approach, the weather changes significantly. It is very important for pig farmers to take preventive care measures for the herd based on the farm’s specific production conditions.
3: Disease prevention and control
Disease prevention is mainly achieved by controlling the spread of disease on pig farms through vaccination. Since vaccination is essential on every pig farm, it is especially important for pig farmers to choose vaccines correctly and appropriately.
II. Breeding Pig Management
The intense summer heat has brought many challenges to raising our pigs. After enduring the long summer, pigs may suffer some physical damage and are more prone to metabolic or chronic diseases later on. Pig farmers should provide health care for their herds before diseases occur, so the pigs can grow healthily. In autumn, particular attention should be paid to protecting the pigs’ respiratory tracts, as respiratory diseases tend to break out during this season. In addition, because of the temperatures, pigs are also susceptible to influenza in autumn and winter. As autumn and winter approach, pig farmers should address the potential problems that have arisen after the pigs have endured the summer, ensuring that they are in the best possible condition for the colder seasons.
III. Preparing Pig Housing for Cold Weather
As autumn and winter approach, pig housing must be properly protected from the cold. There are six key measures: 1, strengthen windproofing and cold protection in the pig house; 2, increase pig stocking density; 3, increase the energy supplied by feed; 4, add heat sources inside the pig house and improve insulation; 5, remove harmful gases and purify the air in the pig house; 6, keep the pig house clean and dry.