Benefits of a proper Pig House or Pen
Before going fully into how to construct a pig house, it is important to list the advantages of keeping pigs indoor or in a house. These include:
- The animals will be able to conserve energy because they won’t scavenge for food.
- They get maximum protection from rain and sun.
- High piglet survival and very low mortality rate.
- Good hygiene and health management are easier.
- Feeding routines can be more carefully controlled and adjusted for different classes of pigs.
- Heat control, weaning and other management practices can be done appropriately and timely.
- It makes record keeping easier.
- Manure can be collected quickly and easier for biogas production.
Read also: Benefits of pig Production
It is worth mentioning that the merits listed above will only work if standards are maintained. Undoubtedly, it is easy for infectious diseases to spread quickly when many pigs are kept together in a small pen or space. Hence, hygiene and sanitation must be of high priority. Additionally, the living condition of a pig house must be excellent in order to make the animals perform excellently
Ideal Climatic Conditions for Pigs
The climate (especially temperature) to which pigs are exposed is of great importance. Pigs are very sensitive to any changes in ambient temperature. They can neither withstand draught or heavy rainfall. They are not a friend of intense sunlight because it makes their skin dry out.
Learn MoreTemperate must be considered when building a house of pigs. The house should be constructed in such a way that temperatures in the day are low and the animals are kept warm in night or during cool periods.
A healthy adult pig should have a body temperature that ranges between 38oC and 39oC. The normal body temperature of piglets is between 39-40oC. Anything above 40oC is a sign of illness.
When the body temperature of a pig is high, they consume less feed or food and this affects growth and reproductive performances. Because pigs generally lack a sweat gland, they can’t sweat in order to cool their body. Therefore, a pig farmer should ensure the temperature in the pig house is below 35oC.
The following are the ideal temperatures for pigs (of different ages) for optimum feed conversion and growth.
Read also: How to farm pigs- Housing
1 day old piglets — 35°C
1 day-1week old piglets — 30°C
1-6 weeks old piglets — 24-30°C
Pigs from 20-60kg — 20-26°C
Pigs from 60-90 kg — 18-22°C
Adult Pigs 18-22°C
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