Protect your pigs with proper ventilation

Proper temperature control in a pigsty starts with proper ventilation. To keep pigs healthy and prevent heat stress that can affect HEALTH and performance, Mark Oberreiter, AP Senior Technician and Ventilation Expert, recommends the following five steps to help keep pigs in optimal conditions during hot weather.

1. Make sure tunnel fans turn on at high temperatures. Before warm weather arrives, check if your pigsty controller offers a test mode.

2. Clean the tunnel fan shutters and inspect the housing and fan cone. Dirty flaps, cracks, and defects in the casing and fan cone can adversely affect the ability of fans to move large volumes of air.

3. Check for loose or worn fan belts and replace if necessary.

4. Make sure the tunnel curtains open correctly.

5. Clean and inspect the cooling system to make sure it is working properly.

Technology such as controllers can be a useful tool for creating and maintaining the ideal pig habitat, Oberreuther says. This not only allows producers to conveniently monitor multiple barns, but can also help them notice changes in barn environment, water intake and feed intake.

“Technology does not replace the need to walk around the barns and see how your pigs are doing, but they can complement the visual inspection,” he says.

Don't forget to keep an eye on the weather forecast, Oberreuther adds.

“Get your fans, shutters, and other cooling system components ready so that if hot weather is expected, your pigs can stay cool and perform at their best,” he says.