Technical points of feeding and Management of Live Pigs in Winter

The drastic change of temperature in winter has great influence on pig production, and the survival rate and growth speed of piglets will decrease to varying degrees. In order to minimize the loss caused by cold weather to pig production, the majority of pig farmers should actively do a good job of anti-freezing and warm keeping in pig houses. The following technical measures could be taken:

???? 1. Do a good job in cold and warm work in pigsty

In response to the current cold weather, pig farms should first ensure that the doors and windows of pigsty are in good condition, repair the doors and windows in time, fill the holes and cracks with air leakage, and prevent the invasion of thief wind; ensure that the power supply, water supply, heat preservation and other facilities are normal, focus on the heat preservation of piglets in the delivery room and nursery, and create a warm and comfortable pigsty microclimate. A temporary two-story shed (generally 2 meters high) can be built above the pig bed in the house with plastic film, waterproof cloth, wood board and other materials, and infrared heat preservation lamp, heat preservation board, warm air stove, etc. can be used to warm the piglets.

Most pig farms fattening pig houses and gestation houses are not equipped with insulation facilities. For pig houses with brick-concrete structure, the key point is to strengthen the insulation of the north window, and add double insulation film (inner layer is breathable and hygroscopic linen cloth, outer layer is plastic film) outside the closed window. This method can increase the temperature in the house by about 5℃. For some free-range semi-open single-row pigsty, the north window can be closed with brick mud, the two ends of the corridor are hung outside the door to block the wind, the south is covered with plastic film, and the top is covered with a thick straw mat.

In general, the insulation effect of 20cm~30cm thick bedding grass is equivalent to 5℃~8℃ increase in house temperature. However, attention must be paid to keep the mat dry and replace it in time after the mat is wet. The more humidity in the pigsty, the colder the pigs feel and the more susceptible they are to diseases. In order to prevent moisture, it is important to ensure that the roof of the pen does not leak rain, let the pigs defecate at fixed points, ensure that the pigs lie down clean and dry, remove feces every day, and discharge sewage in time.

2. strengthen feeding management

One is to appropriately increase the nutritional intake of pigs. There are two ways to increase the nutritional intake of pigs: adjust the feed formula, moderately increase the energy level of the feed, such as increasing the amount of corn by 10%~15% or adding 2%~3% vegetable oil in the feed, and adding appropriate amount of complex vitamins, amino acids and complex enzyme preparations with anti-stress and anti-oxidation ability; appropriately increase the feeding frequency, in winter, the day is short and the night is long, the pig group has a long fasting time at night, and one feeding is added at night to increase the daily food intake.

Second, cold feed has a great impact on pigs in winter. Try to feed dry powder feed or warm water mixed feed. If conditions permit, clean warm water should be provided for pigs to drink freely.

Third, while doing a good job of cold protection and warmth, we should pay attention to ventilation to prevent ammonia poisoning and respiratory diseases. In good weather without strong winds and plenty of sunshine, the south window can also be opened slightly from 12 noon to 14 p.m. to facilitate ventilation.

Fourth, we should strengthen management, especially to strengthen the management of suckling piglets, so that piglets eat colostrum in time, feed piglets in advance, and promote the growth and development of piglets. Feeding management strengthened, pig physique and cold resistance, disease resistance will be enhanced accordingly.

Fifth, increase the feeding density appropriately. The number of pigs raised in the house increased by 30%~40% compared with summer. The temperature of the house could be increased by using the body temperature between pigs. It is best to socialize in the dark, spray pigs with wine or low-concentration lysol with odor, and then socialize. Breeders should pay attention to observing pigs to prevent pigs from fighting.

???? 3. Strengthen epidemic prevention and control

Low temperature and high humidity environment is easy to induce pig respiratory diseases (including mycoplasma pneumonia, pleuropneumonia, etc.), gastrointestinal diseases (including colibacillosis, epidemic diarrhea, infectious gastroenteritis, etc.) and various skin diseases (including mycosis, scabies, staphylococcosis, streptococcosis, etc.). The control of winter respiratory disease syndrome should start with eliminating the source of disease, improving pig farm environment and strengthening feeding management. Gastrointestinal tract diseases are treated by rehydration, diarrhea, dehydration and acidosis prevention, and medicinal charcoal can also be used for astringent diarrhea and adjuvant treatment. In addition, antibiotics can be used appropriately to prevent secondary infections. The focus of skin disease is to strengthen the disinfection of pig house inside and outside and pig body surface, and do a good job of regular deworming and related vaccine prevention injection.