What to do about damp-heat in pigs? Adjusting the feed formula is a key measure

1. Adjust the feed formula to increase pig feed intake

1. Under high-temperature conditions, in order to reduce heat increment and reduce the burden of heat dissipation, feed intake will inevitably decrease, causing insufficient intake of energy, protein and other nutrients in pigs. Making necessary adjustments to the feed formula has become one of the effective measures to overcome heat stress.

① The greater the heat increment of nutrients, the more severe the heat stress after feeding. Oil and fat have a small volume, high net energy value and low heat increment, making them an ideal energy source for pigs under high-temperature conditions. Oil and fat can be added to the feed within 5%.

② Under heat stress, pigs' protein requirement increases, so increasing the crude protein content in the feed can improve feed utilization and reduce the heat dissipation burden of pigs in high-temperature seasons.

In order to minimize the impact of heat stress on seasonal infertility, the key is to find ways to keep sows at normal feed intake and intake of needed nutrients. Maintaining the feed intake of the breeding herd in damp-heat weather is very important.

2. Changing dry feed to wet mixed feed can increase feed intake. However, feed quality must be ensured to prevent mold. Because high temperature and high humidity easily cause feed to become moldy, and when pigs eat moldy feed, it first causes feed intake to decline further. In addition, mycotoxins (such as zearalenone, etc.) can also cause sows to abort, have stillbirths and mummified fetuses, and cause delayed estrus and false estrus in replacement gilts.

3. Adjust feeding times. Do not feed during the hottest period at noon. Feed earlier in the morning and later in the afternoon, and add one feeding at night.

4. Adding 500 g/cubic meter of vitamin C and 200 g/cubic meter of vitamin E to the feed can improve pig immunity, enhance resistance to heat stress, and increase feed intake and daily weight gain. Adding an appropriate amount of baking soda (500 g/cubic meter) can also alleviate the adverse effects of heat stress on pigs.

5. In summer, providing boars and sows with a certain amount of green forage every day can improve the appetite and stress resistance of the pig herd.

2. Appropriately add vitamins and drugs such as Chinese herbal medicines

1. When the temperature exceeds 30°C, vitamins such as vitamin C, vitamin A and vitamin E can be added as appropriate.

2. Chinese herbal medicines can comprehensively coordinate the physiological metabolism of pigs under high temperature and improve the body's immune function.

① Chinese herbal medicines with the functions of stimulating appetite, strengthening the spleen, clearing heat and relieving summer heat, such as dried tangerine peel and Scutellaria baicalensis, can be made into feed additives to alleviate the impact of heat stress on pigs;

② Vitamins, minerals, electrolytes (such as salt and baking soda), etc. can be made into additives in a certain proportion, which can coordinate the body's regulatory function, enhance pigs' adaptability and resistance to high temperature, and thereby alleviate the impact of heat stress.