Pig Farming – Housing

To consider proper environment situation is very important to farming pig successfully. The farm pig farmers should make a pollution free environment. The pig industry needs a particular location. Without careful management of waste products, it may be very dangerous problem for child pig. It is a great and profitable process to make manure from the disposal of the pigs. It is very useful for agriculture.

The environment of the outside and inside should protect all times because it is very essential to farming pigs. Inside environment is important for their health. The farming area should be made clean and dry. During the cold month, a heat lamp must be put and kept out of the north wind and south winds. Farmers should use straw as bedding during the winter. During hot season, there is need that the pig has a place to lay in mud in the pen. If the pigs sweat or stay in a dry environment pigs will lose 5-10 pounds a day. So,  farmers should always be conscious about the pig’s health and always try not to sweat them.

Effect of bad housing

Selection of housing locations

• The site should be at an elevated place that cannot be flooded by rain water.
• The site should be protected from the sun (shade from trees) and have ample fresh air.
• Away from residences (around 8-10 meter away downwind).
• In case of a large scale pig farm, the site selected needs also to be: well connected to roads throughout the year,
• Suitable for manure disposal, connected to reliable water and electricity sources.

Construction plan for a good pig house/shed

The important points about the pig house are as follows:

• The floor of the house should be 3 X 3 m.
• The floor of the house should be raised about 60 cm above the ground.
• The floor boards should have spaces of 2 cm between them.
• The roof must be rain, proof.
• The high side of the roof should face in a direction where some sun can shine a little way into the house on this side: but there must always be shade in some part of the house.
• The house must be strongly built.

A pigsty can be constructed cheaply by using locally available materials. It needs to be constructed according to climatic conditions and according to the pig production system.

• The pigsty should be comfortable for the pigs: good ventilation and ample shade, no overheating, no smells, no draft and no dampness.
• The building should be constructed with its length axis in an East-West direction (protected from sun and rain).
• The pig building needs to be divided into different pens for each phase of the production cycle. The number and the size of the pens depend on the expected numbers of pigs to be housed in each production phase.
• The costs of constructing the pigsty should fit the pig production systems. An efficient pig production is required to cover high construction costs.

Space requirement for pigs

Pig’s Category	Space required	Model	Remarks
Fattening pig	Per pig 0.5 – 1.0 sqm		A flat, solid floor is usually made from cement (but not polished to avoid slipping) or from hard soil. The floor should be sloping away to the rear to facilitate cleaning with water.
Pregnant sows	Per sow 1.5 – 2.0 sqm		Pregnant sows need a quiet environment. Therefore individual pens are some- times used for pregnant sows. In hot climates pregnant sows are alternatively housed in small groups of three.
Lactating sows	Per sow 4 – 6 sqm		Lactating sows need a quiet environment. Therefore individual pens are used. There should be provision for; farrowing pan, heating and cooling arrangements, Piglet nest/ box, creep feed /starter feed for piglets.
Weaner piglets	Per piglet 0.3 – 0.5 sqm		A flat, solid floor is usually made from cement (but not polished to avoid slipping) or from hard soil. The floor should be sloping away to the rear to facilitate cleaning with water.
Breeding boars	Per boar 6 – 8 sqm		Special care is required to prevent boars from escaping to the gilts and sows that are on heat (strong and high partitions).