What To Know About Pig Farming

What To Know About Pig Farming

Pigs  can  be  raised  in  controlled  or  free  environment,  as  a  small-  or  large-scale  business.  But  in whatever  size,  a  prospective  farmer  would  need  inputs  as  to  how  to  raise  pigs  efficiently
and  in  a more productive manner. Pigs  may  be  raised  in  highly  controlled  environments  (hog  lots)  indoor,  in  open  spaces  or  barns  as breeding sows or grown and sold for slaughter to butcher shops. Here are the aspects of pig rising that a grower must carefully consider:
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Choosing Piglets to Raise

Pig feeders can be obtained from stock breeders, and producers, in auctions and classified ads. Pigs are of  different  breeds  some  of  them  are  well  suited  for  specific  environments,  indoor  or  outdoor.
Crossbred  pigs  tend  to  grow  faster,  consume  feed  more  efficiently  and  are  vigorous.  When  buying  a feeder, choose the large and healthy looking ones, at least 25 lbs. If you are choosing a male, which is observed to grow slightly faster than females, get one that is already castrated. Male or female, they are preferably immunized. Ask the breeder for health information and stock of the breeder.
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Proper Nutrition for Pigs

Pigs feed on both grains and meat. They can also be fed with cooked table scraps and vegetables. Corn is  their most common food, but they could benefit from having a diet with protein from soybeans or cooked  meat.  Further,  they  grow  faster  with  vitamins  and  other  supplements.  Piglets  have  higher protein requirements than mature ones. Feeds can be bought packaged and in bulk. Pigs must also have adequate supply of drinking water daily, about two to four gallons. Provide water either through a tub or automatic nipple waterer.
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Ideal Housing for Pigs

Pigs  need  housing  to  keep  them  warm  during  cold  temperatures  and  to  shelter  them  from  excessive heat.  Pigs  are  sensitive  to  heat  and  could  die  from  heat  stress.  When  housed  indoors,  temperature conditions  must  be  well  regulated.  Controlled  temperature  conditions  can  help  maximize  growth.
Cooling mechanisms for pigs can come in the form of drip water system or a wallow (for a hog pen).
Pigs can be housed indoors in individual stalls, pens (in groups or batch) or in barns. Even if the pigs are raised outdoors they would need a shelter during cold and hot weathers. The housing should have a space for feeding and bedding.
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Pig Farm Sanitation

Sanitation  is important  to  keep the  pigs disease-free. A mechanism for easy cleaning and removal of waste is necessary for any type of  pig housing. Some use slotted pen floors to make waste collection easy.  Hosing  a  barn  and  removal  of  manure  daily  are  recommended.  So  is  keeping  the  floor  dry  to reduce odor.
After  five  to  seven  months,  pigs  are  likely  to  reach  ideal  market  weight  of  more  than  200  lbs.  They could be sold at livestock auctions or slaughtered for meat.
The pig industry is characterized by farms having 2 – 5 sows weaning 1-2 small litters yearly. This low productivity may be attributed to any of the following:
·      A short sow productive life (sow culled early due to poor productivity).
·      Generally, poor sow nutrition especially during the gestation and lactation periods.
·      Poor housing that predispose the sows to stress
·      Poor quality boars or mating system
·      Poor feed quality, high feed prices leading to inadequate feeding
·      Presence of sub-clinical reproductive diseases leading to low litter size and high
pre-weaning mortality
·      Long fattening period leading to low returns
·      Market demand fluctuation: during periods of high demand the country has had to import pork products to fill the gap.
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