Avoiding heat stress in pigs: indoor herds

Buildings

Check roof insulation as it deteriorates with time
Good insulation will give both summer cooling and winter warming benefits to welfare and production
Thermal imaging can be used to map heat energy loss from pig buildings (contact your regional KE manager if you are interested in carrying this out)
If heated creeps are used, make sure they are enclosed and insulated to minimise heat loss into the farrowing house
Ideally, control the creep temperature and adjust it relative to the age and health of the piglets

Ensure there are enough fans for the size and number of pigs housed
Consider using supplementary fans for large pens which are reliant on natural ventilation
Clean and maintain fans and carry out regular checks between every batch, or at least quarterly, to ensure they are working properly
You can check how air is moving using a smoke plume

Fit and test alarm systems that warn of rising building temperatures
Make sure there is adequate provision for emergencies (e.g. power failure) to prevent unnecessary pain or distress
Check that alarms and generators are in good working order and that all staff are aware of the emergency procedures and contingency plans

Ensure pigs always have access to a supply of cool, clean water
Make sure there are sufficient drinkers for the group and that they are all working properly – if in doubt, supply additional water in troughs
Pigs cannot sweat but can keep cool if their skin is damp so provide areas of wet concrete or misters during hot periods

Where possible, serve at either end of the day when it will be cooler
Maintain good hygiene, especially where sows have been wallowing, and ensure vulvas are clean pre-insemination
Have handwashing facilities and/or gloves readily available

Heat stress tends to reduce both the libido of boars and the viability of semen for up to eight weeks post heat stress
Make a note of periods of hot weather on your calendar and remember to check semen quality for up to eight weeks after the last period of heat stress or ill health
Temperature control of AI doses is crucial as they can overheat quickly and become unviable
Ensure that doses are kept in an insulated container (16–18°C) until required for insemination and that they are shielded from direct sunlight

Feed sows twice a day and increase to three times a day midway through lactation, with the larger meal in the evening
Check trough hygiene at every feed as food can become stale and rancid during hot periods
Check water quality, availability, and flow rate during peak demand – the flow rate should be 2–2.5 L/minute
If necessary, use the feed trough for supplementary water
Control supplementary heating in the farrowing house – this should only be necessary for the first 12 hours after farrowing depending on the piglets so if you have dimmers, use them, or replace them with lower wattage bulbs
Cover and insulate creep areas to avoid overheating sows
To help keep sows cool, it may be helpful to wet the sows' necks with cool water (however, ensure piglets do not get wet)

Heat stress can result in a deficiency of the hormones needed to support pregnancy
Where possible, make an area of wet concrete available for sows to lie on
Observe the lying area at different times of the day
Do not force sows to lie in the sun or on warm straw bedding
Provide shade curtains if sunlight is streaming into the pen

Check water quality and ensure the flow rate is adequate:

Check that feed is fresh, as it will become stale very quickly in warm weather
Consider ordering less feed more frequently, particularly if bulk bins are exposed to direct sunlight
Reduce the stocking density where possible so that pigs can lie away from each other
Use foggers or misters if necessary to cool pigs

Consider using misters to keep pigs cool during hot spells

Topics:

Ventilation Health Welfare Pork Indoor

Sectors:

Pork

Tags:

heat stress temperature cooling drought