How to Prevent Heatstroke and Cool Down Pigs in Summer? A Detailed Guide to Practical Methods

Pigs are afraid of heat. In the hot summer, if heatstroke prevention and cooling methods are improper, pigs will suffer heatstroke and in severe cases die, causing unnecessary losses. The heatstroke prevention and cooling methods are as follows:

1. Suitable temperature: Because pigs vary in body weight, their growth and development requirements for suitable temperature differ. For a pig weighing about 20 kg, the suitable ambient temperature is 24°C; for 50 kg, 23°C; for 100 kg, 20°C. In general, the temperature suitable for pig growth is 15-28°C, and the optimal temperature is 22°C. If the temperature reaches 35°C and cooling work cannot keep up, pigs weighing 45 kg or more will lose weight, and if the temperature rises further, it will endanger their lives. Pigs have strong adaptability to humidity, but excessive humidity is harmful. A relative humidity of 45%-75% is suitable, and 50%-55% is the optimal humidity.

2. Water supply: Provide clean and hygienic drinking water. In summer, temperatures are high, and if pigs drink enough water, their body temperature will not rise under the regulation of water; pigs can remove excess body heat through breathing, urination, and other means. In summer, a pig's daily drinking water intake is 23% of its own body weight. At the same time, adding 0.5% salt water for drinking can effectively supplement the salt deficiency.

3. Shade: In summer, build a shaded shed on the south side of the pig house or plant trees, vines, and other plants to block direct sunlight. Planting forage grass around the pig house greatly reduces reflected heat and can lower the pig house temperature by 4-6°C. Spread fine sand 3-5 cm thick inside the pig house to let the pigs take sand baths, which can both cool them down and eliminate external parasites.

4. Diet: In summer, reduce energy feed and increase the feeding of green, succulent feed. Feed 1-1.5 kg of green feed per pig per day; feed fresh, hygienic, non-moldy feed, give more concentrated feed in the morning and evening when the temperature is cool, and give more green feed or melon and fruit peels at noon.

5. Ventilation: Open doors, windows, or other ventilation openings to keep the air in the house fresh and the temperature and humidity suitable.

6. Bathing: Rinse the ground and walls with cool water, or rinse the pigs' bodies with slightly warm water that has been heated in the sun, which can both dissipate heat and cool them down and keep them clean and hygienic. You can also dig a shallow pit in a corner of the pig house, put clean water in it, and let the pigs soak for 10-20 minutes.

7. Others: Give pigs 250-500 g of vinegar or sauerkraut juice orally; feed 20-50 g of decocted hyacinth bean liquid or mung bean soup for drinking; mash 2 kg of fresh watermelon rind and add 100 g of white sugar, once every other day, which can clear heat and relieve summerheat; install ceiling fans or exhaust fans in the house for ventilation and cooling.