How can heat prevention and cooling measures be strengthened in summer pig farming?
With the arrival of summer, rising temperatures and increasing humidity make pigs highly prone to disease, so the environmental temperature inside the pig house must be controlled and heat prevention and cooling measures strengthened to ensure pigs pass through summer safely and improve pig farming returns. The following points should be noted in summer pig farming:
Build a shed for shade
Most rural pig houses are open-style, so a temporary shade shed should be built in front of the house to block direct sunlight. A shed can also be built around the house, or climbing plants such as grapes and pumpkins can be planted and allowed to cover the shade shed for shade.
Adjust the diet structure
In midsummer, the energy feed in the daily ration should be relatively reduced, and green feed can be increased. Normally, energy feed makes up 50%-70% of the daily ration, and in summer it is 40%-50%; green feed is increased from 0.5-1 kg to 1-1.5 kg. All feed given should be fresh, hygienic and free of mold.
Feed pigs at night
Feeding can be carried out at 7 pm, 11 pm and 4 am, 3 times each night; during the day, 0.5% salt water and green, juicy feed can be given once each at 10 am and 2 pm. As long as feeding is reasonable and needs are met, pigs weighing about 50 kg can still gain 0.5-0.75 kg per day.
Provide plenty of clean drinking water
Water is the best solvent and transport medium for various nutrients, and the removal of waste from the body also relies on water. Water makes up 1/3 to 1/2 of a pig's body weight. In summer, a pig's daily water intake is 23.8% of its own weight; 0.5% salt water can be given to help regulate body temperature.
Lower the temperature inside the house
Cool water can be used to wash the floor and walls inside the pen to lower the temperature. Where tap water is available, connect a hose and wash several times a day; where there is no tap water, use basins to hold water and splash the floor to lower the house temperature.
Use water to wash the pigs' bodies and lower their temperature
1. Use a spray or shower to wash the pigs' bodies, 2-4 times a day, to help the pigs dissipate heat.
2. Newly drawn well water is relatively cool, so it can be left in the sun for a while before being used to wash the pigs' bodies; this both dissipates heat and lowers temperature and helps keep the pigs clean and hygienic.
3. However, when washing the pigs' bodies with water, this should be arranged before feeding; within 30 minutes after feeding they must not be washed, and water must not be suddenly sprayed on the pigs' heads, to prevent severe constriction of the blood vessels in the head and shock.
Bathing to lower temperature
A shallow pool can be dug in one corner of the pig house and filled with clean water so the pigs can soak in it at any time, helping body heat dissipate. If the pen is small and there are no conditions for digging a pool, a pool can be dug nearby; in the afternoon, at intervals, let the pigs out and allow them to turn over and soak freely for 10-20 minutes.
Feed for heat relief
1. Vinegar or pickled vegetable juice. It can be given orally each time, with the amount increased or decreased according to the pig's body size.
2. White hyacinth bean. White hyacinth bean has the effect of relieving summer heat and strengthening the stomach; according to the pig's body weight, 20-50 g can be used, decocted into juice and the liquid given as a drink.
3. Mung bean soup. Take an appropriate amount of mung beans, add 20 times the amount of water and boil until the skins are soft; after it cools, give the liquid as a drink and the beans as food.
4. Decoct plantain herb and Lophatherum gracile stems and leaves with water into a soup, mix with feed and give to the pigs.
5. Watermelon rind. Take 2000 g of fresh watermelon rind, mash it, add 100 g of white sugar and mix; give once every other day.
Do a good job of hygiene for the pigs' bodies and the pig house
All ventilation openings in the pig house should be opened to make the pigs' bodies cool and comfortable. Sanitary sand can be spread inside the house to a thickness of 3-5 cm, so heat is dissipated through contact between the pigs' bodies and the sand. Every day, use 20% lime milk to spray the walls and floor for disinfection, and use 3% carbolic acid solution to disinfect all feeding utensils.
For safe epidemic prevention, in addition to carrying out immunization injections according to the immunization program, prevention and control work should also be done well for diseases that occur frequently in hot seasons, such as sow metritis and piglet yellow and white dysentery.