Can lime still be used when there are pigs in the pigpen?
Disinfection on a pig farm is one of the most important tasks in pig farming. Disinfecting with lime is a very simple method, and many farmers use it. So, can lime be used when there are pigs in the pigpen?
1. Can lime be used when there are pigs in the pigpen?
Lime must not be used for disinfection when there are pigs in the pigpen. The pigs will lick up feed that has fallen onto the quicklime and, in doing so, will take the quicklime into their mouths, which will burn the mouth and digestive tract. When quicklime is scattered in the pigpen, and when the pigs move around, a large amount of lime dust is stirred up. After the pigs inhale it, respiratory disease in pigs is easily triggered.
2. How is lime used for disinfection?
1. Quicklime itself has no disinfecting function. Only when quicklime is mixed with water and hydrated to form calcium hydroxide, commonly known as slaked lime, does it have strong alkalinity and a good disinfecting effect. Therefore, when using quicklime for disinfection, never scatter quicklime directly in the pig house, as this has no effect.
First spray an appropriate amount of water on the floor of the pig house; then spread quicklime evenly over every corner of the pigpen. It reacts with water to form calcium hydroxide, which kills many kinds of bacteria and viruses.
2. In an empty pig house, first clean the walls and floor thoroughly. Mix fresh quicklime with water to prepare a 20% lime milk, and brush it onto the walls or floor of the pig house, especially the corners and crevices, so that no spot is left untreated. This both disinfects and sterilises and beautifies the environment. The disinfection should be carried out before the pig house is newly put into use. For old pens, it is used after the manure has been cleared and the pigs have been sent to market.
3. Quicklime very easily undergoes chemical reactions, so after purchase it needs to be used up within a short time, otherwise it will lose its original effect. If the quicklime has already become ineffective and caked, then you might as well place it in a dark, damp place and use it as a desiccant. This can effectively prevent the pig house from having excessive moisture that affects the normal growth of the pigs. If the floor is cement, it should not be scattered directly onto the floor.
3. Precautions
1. If the lime contains impurities, the slaking process may cause an explosion and combustion;
2. Quicklime only produces a disinfecting effect when it meets water; scattered directly on dry ground it produces no disinfecting effect;
3. Quicklime must be prepared and used on the spot; if left standing too long it will deteriorate and lose its bactericidal and disinfecting effect;
4. Before disinfecting with quicklime, the disinfection site should be cleaned once. The waste removed should be piled up and poured over with 20% lime milk for disinfection, so as to prevent waste carrying pathogens from spreading.