Detailed Explanation of Key Technical Points for Original Ecological Pig-Raising Litter

Selection of litter. The litter must have water retention capacity, air permeability and a certain source of microbial nutrients. Litter selection should be adapted to local conditions and chosen according to the season. In the south, rice husks, rice bran, bamboo sawdust and perlite are mainly used; crushed rice straw, leaves and weeds are also good litter. In the north, corn stalks, peanut shell powder, corn cob powder, grass powder and perlite are mainly used.

Litter thickness requirements. Generally, the total thickness of litter in a pig house is about 80 cm to 100 cm. The litter is thicker in winter and relatively thinner in summer. The litter thickness should not be less than 45 cm, and the litter volume of a single fermentation bed should not be less than 10 cubic meters.

Litter fermentation operation method. Pretreatment of the HM litter fermentation base:

① When fermenting litter in winter, first soak the HM litter fermentation base in warm water at 30°C to 40°C for 8 hours to 10 hours, in order to activate the HM litter fermentation base.

??? ② When fermenting litter in other seasons, mix the HM litter fermentation base evenly with a mixture of finely crushed cornmeal, rapeseed meal and wheat bran, in order to provide various nutrients to the microorganisms while increasing the contact area between the HM litter fermentation base and the fermentation raw materials.

Mixing and fermentation

① Centralized and unified production method: that is, outside the house, calculate the amount of each kind of litter according to the volume of each pig house, and mix the litters evenly in proportion. When fermenting in winter, add the first pretreated HM litter fermentation base to water in batches, stirring the litter while adding water, and adjust the moisture to 50% to 60%; when fermenting in other seasons, sprinkle the second pretreated HM litter fermentation base into the litter in batches, mix and stir evenly, and adjust the moisture to 50% to 60% (that is, the palm feels wet when squeezed by hand, but no water drips from between the fingers), then pile it into a rectangular cuboid about 1 m high, 1.5 m to 2 m wide, with unlimited length. After piling, cover the upper half with woven bags or long straw-like materials to reduce water evaporation, then insert a thermometer 30 cm into the material. Pile and ferment together, keep it at a temperature above 55°C for 5 days, then turn the pile. After turning, when the temperature reaches above 55°C, ferment again for 5 days, then lower the pile height, and when the temperature steadily drops to ambient temperature, the litter can be filled into the pig house. Through the above fermentation, the litter is not only harmlessly treated, but also ensures that the functional microbial strains can multiply and colonize in large numbers.

② Direct production method inside the house: fully and evenly stir the selected litter and HM litter fermentation base in proportion in the fermentation pit of the pig house, then add water and stir, adjust the moisture to 50% to 60%, and then carry out pile fermentation. The fermentation method is the same as the outside-house method. Note that a certain space should be reserved in the fermentation pit to facilitate operations such as litter stirring and pile turning.

Laying the litter. After the litter has undergone harmless treatment and the temperature has dropped steadily, when the litter is spread out it has a fresh sour aroma and no peculiar smell, indicating that the litter has been successfully fermented. The litter can then be spread out (transported) to each pen and laid to the required height.

After the litter is spread out and leveled in the pen, wait 24 hours to observe that the temperature is stable before bringing in the pigs.