There's a knack to managing pigs through the four seasons, and raising them well brings good returns

   Through years of practical pig farming, many pig farmers have summed up season-specific tips for raising pigs through the four seasons. Now the editor will share these four seasons' pig-raising tips with more pig farmers.

Pigs

   1. In spring, pay attention to disease prevention.Because after overwintering, pigs are in poor physical condition and have weak resistance, making them susceptible to disease. So the feeding and management of the herd must be done well.

  (1) Do a good job of disinfecting the pigpen. Clean the pigpen thoroughly, apply prepared limewash to the walls and floor of the pigpen, sprinkle a little extra in corners and cracks, and once the limewash has dried, spread some dry straw in the pen.

  (2) Do a good job of pig house hygiene. For pigpens used for collecting manure, frequently add straw and frequently remove manure to keep the pig house dry.

  (3) Give preventive injections at the right time. Mainly inject vaccines or bacterins against swine pasteurellosis, swine fever, and swine erysipelas.

  (4) Pay attention to ventilation and prevent colds. Spring temperatures vary greatly; once the weather turns cold, block up the ventilation openings to keep cold air from entering the pig house.

    2. In summer, pay attention to cooling.Many pig farmers believe that "pigs don't grow in June" and that feeding them well or poorly makes no difference, so they relax the feeding and management of the herd in summer. In fact, as long as reasonable cooling measures are taken in summer, pigs can still be raised well. ① At midday when temperatures are high, spray water on the pigs' bodies and the pig house floor to cool them down. ② After the pigs finish eating, promptly supply cool clean water. ③ Feed more green fodder. ④ Take mosquito-control measures so the pigs can sleep quietly.

    3. In autumn, pay attention to storing pig feed.Autumn is the golden season for pig growth and development. Crushed and fermented sweet potatoes, potatoes, peanut vines, and beanstalks are all very good pig feed. Dried and crushed tuber crops, bean pods and stems, and the like can all be used to feed pigs. Therefore, when raising pigs in autumn, do a good job of storing pig feed and of fattening the pigs.

    4. In winter, pay attention to protecting pigs from the cold and keeping them warm.Winter temperatures are very low, which is unfavorable for pig growth. Therefore, in addition to maintaining the nutritional value of the feed and providing enough feed, appropriate cold-protection and warmth-retention measures must also be taken to ensure the pigs can grow healthily in winter. ① Before winter arrives, block and seal tightly the places in the pigpen that are drafty or leak rain, to prevent cold wind from entering. ② Frequently add dry straw and frequently clean to keep the pen dry and not let the straw get damp. ③ Increase stocking density and feed the pigs more high-calorie feed that can increase body heat.