Swine Housing

LPM – 603 SWINE PRODUCITONANDMANAGEMENT.

 It is the raising and breeding of domestic
pigs as livestock. Pigs are farmed principally
for food(e.g. pork, bacon, gammon) and skins.
 They were valued as a source of meat and fat,
and for their ability to convert inedible food
into meat, and were often fed household food
waste when kept on a homestead.
 Pigs have been farmed to dispose of
municipal garbage on a large scale.

 Pigs are amenable to many different styles of
farming:
 Extensive farming .
 Semi intensive farming .
 Intensive farming.
 Integrated pig farming.

 Two type of housing are generally built
depending on climatic conditions and
topography.
 In temperate climate, closed housing is
required.
 In tropics, loose housing which is also called
open housing is recommended .

Advantages:
 Cheapest method of rearing.
 Less labour as daily cleansing is not required.
 Availability of plenty of sunshine.
 Freedom of movement.
 Benefit of exercise .
Disadvantages:
 Pigs get no balanced feed.
 Controlled breeding not possible.
 Insanitary conditions.
 More chances of diseases.
 High mortality rate.

 Exposure to adverse weather.
 Reduced growth rate.
 Lack of care to pregnant and lactating sows.
 More area requirement.
 Prone to parasitic diseases .
 Low profit .

Advantages :
 Cheaper than indoor system .
 Enough sunlight and fresh air.
 More area for exercise.
Disadvantages :
 High initial investment .
 Scientific knowledge of rearing is essential .
 More labour .
 Restricted exercise.

Advantages of intensive system:
 Better care as per requirements of pigs
 Proper controlled breeding possible
 Better sanitation
 Disease occurrence minimized
 Less mortality
 Better growth rate
 Better care and supervision
 Parasitic infection minimized
 Less area needed
 Controlled weather conditions
 Balanced feeding possible
 More profitable

 The fish utilize the food spilled by pigs and their excreta which is
very rich in nutrients.
 The pig dung acts as a substitute for pond fertilizer and
supplementary fish feed. Hence, the cost of fish production is
greatly reduced.
 No additional land is required for piggery operations.
 Pond provides water for washing the pig - sties and pigs.
 It results in high production of animal protein per unit area.
 It ensures high profit through less investment.
 The pond muck which gets accumulated at the pond bottom due
to constant application of pig dung can be used as fertilizer for
growing vegetables and other crops and cattle fodder.

 Housing management of pigs is important as
the immediate vicinity to which they are
affected the most are its housing only.
 A pig whether standing or in recumbent
condition it is in direct contact with one of the
component of housing i.e floor or wall.
 Same type of housing or design cannot be
recommended for all the regions of India which
is harbouring diverse climatic condition.

 Boars, pregnant and dry sows, gilts and growing pigs
are usually kept in open yards with partially sheltered
area.
 Farrowing sows - completely enclosed houses or
pens.
 Individual or group housing in cages made up of
vertical G.I. pipes/M S rods .
 Farrowing crates can be adopted in large high-tech
farms.
 Uncastrated males and females should not be housed
together beyond the age of four months.
 Commercially, large-scale swine producers raise pigs
indoors in very large, climate-controlled buildings.

 The site should be at an elevated place that
cannot be flooded by rain water.
 The site should be protected from the sun
(shade from trees) and have ample fresh air. Site
should be such that the structure could be
oriented east to west .
 Away from residences (around 8-10 meter away
downwind).
 In case of a large-scale pig farm, the site
selected needs also to be: well connected to
roads throughout the year,Suitable for manure
disposal, connected to reliable water and
electricity sources.

 It should be free from pollution.
 It should be closer to veterinary aid.
 Select a pig farming location in areas where
enough labourers are available.
 It is better to be close to any town which can
make marketing of pigs easy.

 Construct a shelter that can protect pigs from
adverse climatic conditions, to prevent
diseases, to control parasites and to protect
from external predators.
 The pig house should have good cross-
ventilation and air-flow.
 Build separate pens for boar, farrowing, dry
sow and weaner.
 House flooring can be covered with straw or
paddy husk to keep the pigs warmer in
winters .

 Use heat lamp in extremely cold winters. In
summer times, sprinkle the water on the roof
and cover with any cooling material.
 Keep the pig house always clean and dry.
 The house floor should be built with a rough
surface.
 Make proper draining channels to dispose of
any effluents.
 You can build 3-meter x 3-meter pens under
village conditions .

 Housing walls should be 4 feet to 5 feet high
from the ground.
 Guard rails and creep space should be
provided for the piglets in any corner of the
house.
 Provide shade in prolonged sunshine
conditions as pigs can be overheated.
 Ensure availability of clean water in the
house.
 Disinfect the pens especially when keeping
the pregnant pigs.

Units Stocking density
Low Medium High
A. Farrowing
/ Suckling
pen
Resting area, if
weaner pens
are not used
Sq.m/pig 10 7.5 6.0
Resting area, if
weaner pens
are used
Sq.m/pig 8 6 5
Manure alley
width
m/pig 1.7 1.5 1.3
Farrowing pen Sq.m /pig ----- 4.5 4.0
Farrowing
crate, length
excluding
trough
m/ pig 2.0 2.0 2.0

Width depending
on size of sow of
farrowing crate
m/pig 0.65-0.75 0.6-0.7 0.55-0.65
Free space behind
the crate
m/pig 0.4 0.35 0.3
Piglet
creep(including
resting area )
Sq.m/pig 2.0 1.5 1.0
A. BOAR PEN
1. Pen with yard
Resting area
(shaded)
2.Yard area
( paved)
Sq.m/pig
Sq.m/pig
6
12
5
10
4.5
8
1. Pen with out
yard
Sq.m/pig 9 8 7

A. Gestating
sow pens in
groups of 5-
10 sows
1.loose resting
area ( shaded)
Yard area (
paved)
Feeding stalls,
depth* width
Sq.m/pig
Sq.m /pig
m/ pig
2
3.5
2*0.6
1.5
3.0
1.8* 0.55
1.1
2.5
1.7* 0.5
2.indivudual stalls
with access to
manure alley ,
length of the stalls
excluding trough
Width of stalls
Width of the
manure alley
m
m
m
2.2
0.65-0.75
1.5
2.1
0.6-0.7
1.4
2.0
0.55-0.65
1.3
1. Confined in
individual
m 2.2*0.70 2.1*0.65 2*0.6

A. WEANER
PEN ( to 25
kg or 12
weeks )
Low Medium High
Resting area
excluding trough
m²/pig 0.35 0.3 0.25
Manure alley
width
m 1 1 1
A. GROWING
PEN ( to 40
kg or 17
weeks )
Resting area
excluding trough
m²/pig 0.5 0.45 0.40
Manure alley
width
m 1.1 1.1 1.1

A. FINISHING
PEN,
RESTING
AREA
EXCL.
TROUGH
For porkers upto
60 kgs or 21 kgs
m²/pig 0.7 0.6 0.5
For baconers to
90 kg or 27 wks
m²/pig 0.9 0.75 0.60
For heavy hog to
120 kgs or 33wks
m²/pig 1.0 0.85 0.70
Manure alley
width
m 1.2-1.4 1.2-1.3 1.2

 Floor - Concrete floor should be laid on a good foundation and
will need to be 5-6 cm thick. It should be hard and impervious
to water and easy to clean and the floor should be laid with
concrete and slope towards the drainage.

Type of animal Floor space requirement
(m2/animal)
Maximum
number of
animals /pen.
Covered area Open paddock
Boar 6-7 8.8 - 12 Individual
pens
Farrowing pen 7 -9 8.8 - 12 Individual
pens
Fattener
(3-5 mths )
0.9-1.2 0.9-1.2 30
Fattener
(Above 5 mths )
1.3 – 1.8 1.3 – 1.8 30
Dry sow/Gilt 1.8-2.7 1.4 – 1.8 3-10

 Generally, the floor of the sty is made up of wooden planks
with a gap of 1-2 inch in between them so that the excreta
directly fall down on the ground and do not accumulate under
sty preventing health hazard to pigs.
 The floor of sty in front side is kept at least one foot high
from the ground so that feeding and other management is easy.
Floor should be kept rough to prevent pig from falling and get
injured.

 Description Space (m²/pig)
 Growing pigs; up to 10 kg 0.14
 11-20 kg 0.22
 21-40 kg 0.36
 41-60 kg 0.47
 61-80 kg 0.57
 81-100 kg 0.66
 Sows (in crates) and litters 3.2
 Adult sows in stalls 0.6 m x 2.2 m
 Adult boars in stalls 0.7 m x 2.4 m

 ROOF -The roof may be RCC flat type or gable roof. Materials for
roofing may be asbestos cement sheets or corrugated steel
sheets.In the regions of extreme climatic conditions, the roof may
be insulated by providing a layer of thatching to reduce severity of
the heat inside the pig sty.

 In climates where a clear sky predominates , a high
building of 3m, or more, under the eaves, gives more
efficient shade than a low building. A wide roof
overhang is necessary to ensure shade and to protect
the animals from rain.
 Materials like aluminium can be used as they reflect
heat well as long as they are not too oxidized.

 Door - The number of doors provided in each sty shall depends
on the dimensions of the house.Door made up of iron angle and the
width of the individual door to individual pen may range from 0.75
– 1.00 m.The doors should be fitted without any gap to the floor up
to the height of 2-3 ft.

 Drainage - Each pig sty shall be provided with atleast one
drain on each pig pen.The drain shall have a minimum width
of 250 mm and a slope of 25 mm.

 Height of the wall should be 4 feet above the floor.
 Brick and concrete can be used up to height of 3 ft. from
floor and 1 ft. Can be made up of wood or the railing of
pipe.
 Walls should be smooth otherwise it may injure the animal.
 Wooden or bamboo walls are cheaper, but less durable. In
this case, the pillars are made up of wooden logs or cement.
 In side walls, the bamboo or wood is fixed in such a way
that enough gap exists between them to allow sufficient
ventilation.
 Corners of the wall should be rounded to ease
cleaning.

WINDOWS:
 The size of the window should be such that it can provide cross
ventilation and sun light to the sty .
GUARD RAILS :
 It should be made of galvanized iron pipes (2 inch diameter)
which may be fitted about 8-10 inches away from the walls of
the farrowing pen in order to prevent crushing of piglets.
CENTRAL PASSAGE :
 The central way should be constructed in such a way that the
carrying of goods by labourers is easy.
 Regular cleaning of central passage should be undertaken. The
wall of the central passage should also be inclined.

 Hog Watering : Because pigs don’t sweat, access to
lots of fresh water is important to help keep them cool.
 From drinking cups and bowls, to hose fittings
designed to fit the mouths of sows and piglets.

Transmitters are also available to keep track of water
consumption to help with monitoring costs.

 Pig Feeding :Automatic feeders are available to help the pig
maintain a healthy diet. Troughs can be used in instances.
Feeding carts are available to walk the feed to the pigs. Feeding
mats are also available to keep food from falling through holes
in the floor.

 There should not be any wastage of feed so the trough should
be made of concrete and with tough walls.
 A trough space of 2.5 feet length for each pig is sufficient for
proper feeding without scrambling and fighting.
 Galvanized sheet feeding troughs are also available.

 Heat Lamps : There are many heat lamp and brooder options
available to keep the pigs warm during winter. Heating pads
are also available to give the pigs a warm place to walk and
rest also helps in keeping new piglets safe.

1.Phenols and related compounds: Phenols are bactericidal and
fungicidal.
Cresol
Lysol
Synthetic phenolic disinfectant(chloroxylenol).
2. Alcohols:
 Glycols are active in aerosal forms and are vviridical.
 Ethyl alcohol(about 70%) are effective against bacterial flora of skin .
3. Halogens :
i.Chlorine compounds:
 Sterilizing farm utensils. These are bactericidal.
 5% sodium hypochlorite
 5% calcium hypochlorite .

4.Iodine :
 Powerful germicide and effective against vegetative organisms,
spores, bacteria, virus, fungus etc.
 Sodium carbonate is used effectively against FMD virus , fowlpox
etc.
 Sodium hydroxide is more effective against viruses and gram
positive bacteria.
 Ammonia: Effective agent for the destruction of coccidial oocyst in
10% aqueous solution.
 Quaternary ammonium compounds.
 Quick lime (CaO) .
 Slacked lime (CaOH).
Gaseous and aerial fumigation :
Formaldehyde:
 Detrimental to bacteria and spores even in presence of organic
matter.

 Crates : When it comes to having the pigs tagged
or checked for veterinary purposes, crates can help
keep the animals safe and secure.

 Fencing : Pigs are natural foragers and like to explore the
land for things to eat. To ensure they don’t get too far away,
fencing options can keep the pigs secure and safe from
outside predators .

Ear notching pliers :
 These special pliers are used to cut v-shaped
notches from baby pigs’ ears for identification
purposes.
Scoop shovel / pitchfork :
 These are handy items for cleaning pens and
removing manure
Wheelbarrow :
 A handy tool for transferring manure from a pen to
manure storage area
Pig snare :
 A pig snare is a device that loops around the pig’s
upper jaw and holds it still while you perform
necessary management practices.

Medication storage area :
 Some medications and nearly all vaccines must be
refrigerated or they quickly lose effectiveness.
Side-cutting pliers :
 Baby pigs are born with eight sharp teeth.
 These teeth can cause scratches and cuts to the sow’s
udder.
 the tips of these teeth are made blunt using side-cutting
pliers.

 Many diseases can affect the health of pigs.
Some are caused by micro-organisms, which
normally inhabit the pig's gut and, therefore,
are also present in manure.
 In unhygienic sheds, these organisms can
infect pigs via dung or airborne dust particles.
 Pig sheds that have effluent channels, where
manure is submerged in water within the
channels, can reduce dust, odour and airborne
bacteria levels.

 A swine disease prevention strategy should be a
common practice for all swine farmers.It is a
combination of:
 Good herd management practices.
 Careful observation.
 Quarantining.
 Feed them healthy.
 Maintaining health and hygiene.
 Providing a clean environment for the animals.

 Pigs lack functional sweat glands and are almost
incapable of panting. To thermoregulate, they rely on
wallowing in water or mud to cool the body.
 Adult pigs under natural or free-range conditions can
often be seen to wallow when air temperature exceeds 20
°C.
 Mud is the preferred substrate; after wallowing, the wet
mud provides a cooling, and probably protecting, layer on
the body.
 Although temperature regulation seems to be the main
motivation for wallowing in pigs, they will still wallow in
colder weather.

 Wallowing tank may be provided in pig
breeding farm suited to zones.The wallowing
tank made of cement concrete and dimension
of the tank is less than 2.5 m x 1.2 m x 0.15
m.
 Alternatively overhead sprinklers and
showers may be provided in order to keep the
animals cool during summer.

 Handbook of pig husbandry by Anubrata das ,M.K.Tamuli
,Mohan .
 Farm Animals and their management by James
stewatson,Wattie J .Mills .
 ICAR Handbook on animal husbandry.
 Commercial pig farming project report.
 agritech.tnau.ac.in/animal husbandry
 extension.psu.edu/swine
 daf.qld.gov.au/pig production
 thepigsty.com
 agropedia .

Swine Housing

Swine Housing

More Related Content

What's hot

Similar to Swine Housing

Recently uploaded

Swine Housing