Five Key Points That Must Be Taken Seriously in Spring Pig Farming

    A farming proverb says: "When peach blossoms bloom, pig diseases arrive." In the third month of spring, the weather gradually warms up, and it is a good season for raising pigs. However, during this time the weather is unpredictable, and all kinds of pathogens multiply and grow in large numbers. If disinfection is not thorough, management is improper, and feeding is poor, pig diseases are very likely to occur. Therefore, to raise pigs well in spring, disease prevention and control are especially important.

    1. Do a good job of repairing and disinfecting the pigsty

    Disinfection eliminates the living environment of pathogens. Pigs like a dry environment, especially piglets, whose body temperature regulation function is not yet fully developed, whose body surface has little deposited fat, and whose cold resistance is relatively poor. In the early spring month of March, the weather is changeable, sometimes clear and sometimes overcast, and the temperature difference between day and night is relatively large. In addition, there is the phenomenon known as "late spring cold," so blocking up holes, putting up sheds over the pens, hanging door curtains, maintaining the temperature of the pigsty, keeping the environment dry and clean, ensuring smooth air flow, and creating an environment conducive to the growth and development of piglets are particularly important. Sows that have farrowed should give birth in warm housing.

At the same time, before spring arrives, the pigsty should be thoroughly disinfected to prevent pathogens from growing and multiplying. To clean the pens, use 20%-30% lime milk or 20% plant ash or a 2%-3% caustic soda solution to spray and brush the pen floors, walls, and surrounding environment. After strictly cleaning utensils, disinfect them with 3%-5% lysol, then rinse with water to avoid poisoning or affecting the pigs' feed intake.

    2. Strengthen epidemic prevention

    In spring, prevent the occurrence of infectious diseases such as swine fever, erysipelas, and pneumonia. Farmers should strictly follow the immunization program and carry out immunization injections for pigs. Be sure to avoid missed injections, vaccine failure, and similar situations. Once an epidemic occurs, strict blockade and disinfection should be carried out, preventive injections should be strengthened, and dead pig carcasses should be handled according to requirements. If an epidemic occurs nearby, in addition to disinfecting the pigsty, outsiders and vehicles from outside must be strictly prohibited from entering the pigsty and pig farm, and one's own vehicles and personnel returning from epidemic areas should be thoroughly disinfected.

    3. Focus on nutritional supply and adjust the feed formula

    According to the different growth stages of pigs, scientifically feed complete-price daily rations with different nutritional standards, and timely adjust the daily ration formula according to the pigs' body weight, feed intake, and other conditions. In spring, green feed is lacking, so as much as possible add some succulent feed such as carrots and feed such as brewer's grains and cakes to the daily ration to promote the pigs' appetite, while also supplementing some vitamins. Only when pigs have relatively good body condition can they enhance disease resistance and grow quickly.

    4. Fine management and scientific feeding

    In spring, when the climate is changeable, piglets are prone to lacking innate immunity, and their body temperature regulation and digestive functions are not fully developed. The slightest mistake in feeding and management can easily cause piglets to become ill, or even die in large numbers. Therefore, improve the feed of lactating sows and ensure the cleanliness and hygiene of the udder; do a good job in the three stages of starting feed, supplementary feeding, and peak feeding; safely pass the birth stage, the supplementary feed stage, and the weaning stage, and take special care of weaned piglets; for the prevention of piglet dysentery, vaccines should be injected in the late stage of pregnancy in sows, and after birth attention should be paid to environmental hygiene and cleanliness and improvement of the piglets' physique; add compound additives, expose them to more sunlight, and let them move more to promote piglet growth and safely pass through spring.

    5. Feed health-care Chinese herbal medicine to enhance the disease resistance of pigs

    In the feed, use Chinese herbal medicines that dispel wind and scatter cold, strengthen tendons and bones, and moisten the lungs and calm panting, in order to support healthy qi and eliminate pathogenic factors and enhance the resistance of pigs, which both prevents disease and helps growth. The prescription is: Schizonepeta, Saposhnikovia divaricata, Forsythia suspensa, honeysuckle, and Isatis indigotica leaves 30 grams each; Ephedra, Atractylodes lancea, and cassia twig 25 grams each; Ligusticum chuanxiong, red peony root, Angelica pubescens, akebia stem, rhubarb, and apricot kernel 15 grams each; and licorice 10 grams. Grind together into fine powder. Use 10 grams-20 grams per pig at a time, 2 times a day, once every 15 days, mixed into the feed for feeding.