How to Raise Taihu Pigs Well? A Detailed Guide to Scientific Breeding Methods
The Taihu pig is a key breed raised along the Yangtze River coastal region of China. It is famous for its large litter size, is a pig with extremely high lean meat yield, and offers significant economic benefits. So how should Taihu pigs be raised to be both big and good, and to achieve high returns?
1. Selection of the Pig Pen
In general, the construction of pens in the breeding industry always involves good lighting and good ventilation. However, the pig pen for Taihu pigs is built a bit differently. Its pen must be divided into two sides: one side is the place for feeding and resting, which is the so-called rearing pen, and the other side is the place for daily movement and sunbathing, namely the exercise pen, with the two connected to each other. The rearing pen should have a cement floor, and a certain amount of dry straw can be spread on it, while the exercise pen uses soil as its floor. The area where the two sides connect must have convenient drainage. Disinfection measures must be carried out thoroughly.
2. Feeding Management
Taihu pigs are not very particular about feed. Many people, in order to raise pigs for growth, like to feed them only feed, but the pork raised this way has a dry and firm texture, which affects their own sales prospects. It is recommended to add some vegetable-type food to the feed every day to maintain the pigs' health. For those who find it troublesome, generally feed pure vegetable-type food about once every 2 days, such as green grass, pumpkins, and so on. If there is not enough vegetable-type food, you can choose to let the pigs out every 3 days to feed themselves. Pigs raised this way are not only healthy, but also grow much faster.
3. Disease Prevention and Treatment
Asthma and diarrhea are the illnesses that Taihu pigs are prone to. When a Taihu pig is lying down, its belly moves much faster than that of other pigs, the sound coming from its mouth gradually becomes louder, and its snout opens wider and discharges a white liquid. At this point, it is basically a case of asthma. At this time, medication needs to be injected. Diarrhea shows as a decline in the Taihu pig's appetite, accompanied by loose stools. The former is because too much daily food is fed, making the Taihu pig too fat, so that its trachea is compressed when resting; the latter is caused by feeding a single type of food, leading to poor absorption.
4. Points to Note
Here I will add a few small details for everyone. First, the feeding area and the excretion area in the pig pen must be clearly distinguished. This can generally be trained: pile its excrement together, and after a few days it will understand. Second, the feed should be increased little by little. If too much is fed at one time, the Taihu pig will finish it all, but it will not be digested. Generally, after feeding, the pigs need to be driven to the exercise pen, as this helps their growth. You need to learn on your own some emergency handling methods for things that pigs are prone to, so as to avoid causing yourself unnecessary losses.