Comprehensive ventilation management of pig farm

 

1.Optimize the architectural structure of pigsties to enhance their insulation performance

The walls, roof, and floor of the pigsty should equip with excellent thermal insulation properties. Ensuring proper ventilation in the enclosure is crucial for maintaining the temperature inside the pigsty. Therefore, it is essential to design a ventilation system that facilitates air circulation while preventing cold winds from directly hitting the pigs. Additionally, the ventilation system can be a combination of natural and mechanical ventilation, adjustable according to the temperature and humidity within the pigsty. During cold seasons, heating equipment is required to maintain the temperature in the pigsty. The heating method should be chosen based on the size of the pigsty and the required temperature, such as electric heating, water heating, or fuel heating. It is ideal for the pig farm to face south, as this allows the pigsty to receive maximum sunlight exposure in winter, thereby increasing the internal temperature.

 

2.Use efficient environmental control equipment

Common wall insulation materials include polystyrene foam boards, rock wool boards, and polyurethane foam boards. Polystyrene foam boards are characterized by their light weight, good insulation performance, and relatively low price, effectively preventing heat conduction through the wall. In large-scale pig farms, they are commonly used for external wall insulation, with a thickness of generally 5 to 10cm. Doors and windows are important parts for heat loss in pigsties. Reasonable door and window design and good sealing can effectively reduce heat loss. In design, the area of doors and windows should be minimized to reduce the pathways for heat conduction. Doors and windows with sealing strips can be selected. Common sealing strip materials include rubber and silicone. Rubber sealing strips have good elasticity and aging resistance, effectively filling gaps between doors and windows to prevent air leakage. Silicone sealing strips excel in high and low temperature resistance, maintaining good sealing performance even in cold winters. In addition, double-glazed doors and windows can be installed, with an air layer formed between the two layers of glass providing good thermal insulation.

 

3.Implement refined feeding management

Scientific feeding management can ensure appropriate body temperature for pigs. Provide nutritionally precise feed according to different growth stages of pigs. Piglets require high-protein, easily digestible feed to promote growth; pregnant sows should be guaranteed sufficient vitamins and minerals to facilitate embryonic development; fattening pigs should follow the principle of “eating less but more frequently”, with regular and quantitative feeding 3 to 4 times a day. The suitable temperature for pigs at different stages varies: 25 to 28℃ for nursery pigs, 18 to 22℃ for fattening pigs, and 18 to 21℃ for pregnant sows. Temperature can be controlled through equipment such as air conditioning, heaters, and water curtains, with the humidity in the pigsty maintained at 65% to 75%. When humidity is too high, ventilation should be strengthened, and when it is too low, appropriate spraying can be used to increase humidity. Pigs should be reasonably grouped according to their breed, age, weight, etc., with a moderate number in each group to avoid fighting and scrambling for food. Weigh the pigs every 1 to 2 months to understand their growth status, and adjust the feed formula and feeding amount accordingly.