by The stall for a sow with offspring is divided into two equal parts using a partition, in which holes for piglets are prepared (35-40×30-40 cm).
Pigs need a warm floor, so bedding made of straw, sawdust and hay is used. It is very important to use such an amount of material that it is convenient for the animals to loosen it. The pigsty must be clean, so as the bedding gets dirty, it will have to be replaced.
With proper lighting, a farmer can increase production by up to 20%. Lack of or insufficient light affects sexual desire and growth.
Depending on the goals, special lighting is selected. For example, for active reproduction, bright light will be required, while for feeding babies and keeping piglets – vice versa.
In production facilities, both natural and artificial lighting can be used, which can be technological or emergency lighting. Since there are different types of lighting areas, it is recommended to choose the power:
It is best to place lamps above the animals’ heads and choose the LED option. It is closer to natural light than incandescent lamps and has a better effect on the general condition of the animals.
Having decided to engage in home pig farming, it is necessary to equip a walking area, since in the fresh air animals gain weight faster and get sick less often. The yard in front of the pigsty is concreted or paved with brick, fenced with a fence or metal mesh.
The courtyard area is 7-10 sq. m. In summer, animals will spend quite a lot of time here, and in winter, they will go out for a walk when the room is ventilated.
Animal care should be daily. The pig farmer should keep the pig houses clean, make sure that the conditions in the premises are normal – warm and dry. It is necessary to organize ventilation, but not allow drafts.
The permissible temperature is not lower than +16-18 °C, humidity – 70-85%. Dampness and dirt in the pigsty are unacceptable.
In winter, the optimal temperature in the room is maintained using heating devices. At 2-3 weeks, a boar intended for fattening should be castrated.
If the piglet was bought at an older age, you need to give it time to get used to the new environment and only then perform the operation. But do not delay.
Manure removal is considered to be a rather labor-intensive process in pig farming.
Two technologies have been developed for this purpose:
- Danish. It involves the use of slatted floors through which waste flows along inclined gutters into manure pits located under the pigsty. The technology reduces labor costs and also eliminates the need for bedding.
- Canadian. It involves using a thick layer of bedding made of straw, sawdust or sand. Some pig farms use fermentation bedding – populated with special microorganisms that create heat and decompose the waste products of the livestock.
To maintain cleanliness in the Danish system, the top layer of straw is changed periodically, but the lower layer, teeming with bacteria, is left alone. Every 2-3 years, the litter is completely changed.
Feeding
Pigs are considered omnivores, but you shouldn’t think that you can feed them only scraps and grass. The diet should be balanced and healthy, containing the necessary amount of proteins, fats and carbohydrates.
Concentrated feeds
These are cereals and legumes, bran, and waste from grain processing.
Pigs can be given:
- Barley. It has a beneficial effect on the taste of meat and is well eaten by animals.
- Millet. Used in small quantities for fattening.
- Oat. Given only to piglets.
- Peas. It is a source of protein and must be steamed first.
- Corn. Given in combination with protein-rich foods.
- BranThey contain a lot of fiber, so they are given in small doses.
- Oilcake (sunflower, flax). Steamed for at least 4 hours before use, it is a valuable source of vegetable fats.
The grain is given in crushed form, it is useful for digestion. There is no need to boil it, under the influence of high temperatures the useful properties will be destroyed. But legumes are boiled.
Juicy
These include:
- Potatoes. It is fed to pigs boiled or steamed; it is better not to give raw tubers, since the starch will be difficult to digest.
- Beet. It is given both boiled and raw, chopped.
- Carrot. Rich in vitamin A, given raw, pre-cleaned from soil. Adults are given whole vegetables, piglets are given chopped.
- Pumpkin. Given together with the seeds in crushed form, it is considered a powerful preventative against worms.
Green
First of all, it is nettle, which grows in large quantities in forests and fields. It is easy to dry it for the winter, tying it into brooms. The daily dosage is 300 g. The source of protein and fat is rapeseed, rich in calcium, magnesium and phosphorus.
Pigs are also given:
- clover;
- peas;
- alfalfa;
- corn;
- Vika.
It is important not to overuse green fodder, otherwise it will cause digestive problems. The winter analogue of grass is combined silage.
Others
These include:
- Food waste (crackers, raw vegetables and fruits, peelings, fresh remains of food uneaten by people, waste from cutting up animals and fish). Fish waste is stopped 1,5-2 months before slaughter, as it has a negative effect on the quality of meat.
- Edible mushrooms (dried, boiled). They are added in small quantities to mashes.
- Acorns.
- Herbal flour. It is prepared in summer from cereals and legumes and is a valuable source of nutrients.
- Hay flour. It is prepared from high-quality bean hay and pea straw. It is included in the diet to enrich it with protein.
- Pine flour. Rich in vitamins, can be harvested all year round. Thanks to its consumption, animals become more resistant to diseases.
- Milk. Most often it is given to piglets; adult animals are given whey or buttermilk.
- Meat fish — are sources of protein.
supplements
Old-school pig farmers may be surprised to learn that modern research suggests that pigs should be given flavorings and aroma additives. These are designed to improve appetite and digestion.
First of all, these are oils:
- citrus fruits (tangerine, lemon, orange);
- garlic;
- cinnamon;
- dill;
- cumin;
- sage;
- mint.
You can also add products containing these oils to the pigs’ diet. In addition, you can add cocoa bean waste, anise seeds, and vanilla to the pigs’ food.
Feed categories
The profitability of pig farming largely depends on the type of feed used in the animals’ diet.
The first category includes:
- grain (rye, barley, wheat);
- root vegetables (carrots, beets);
- legumes (peas, beans).
The second category is represented by:
- root crop tops;
- green fodder (grasses).
The third category is:
- buckwheat;
- corn;
- wheat bran;
- potatoes.
When raising a pig for meat with a small amount of fat, the main food in the diet should be category 30 feed, and additional feeding with charcoal and salt is also necessary. 3 days before slaughter, category feed is completely removed from the diet.
Growing for lard involves using category 3 feeds and root crops. Switching animals completely to green feed before slaughter will help improve the taste of meat and lard.
Reproduction
Pig breeding is an important and responsible process that cannot be left to chance, since only with the right approach can you get strong, viable offspring.
Thus, the age of the female must be at least 240 days, weight – about 100-150 kg, exceeding this is undesirable, since the piglets have an increased risk of being accidentally crushed by the mother.
Mating is best done in early autumn or the second half of winter. In the first case, the babies will be born in the first days of winter and will have time to get stronger before the cold weather. In the second case, spring piglets will be born, strong and healthy. The duration of gestation is 114-120 days.
Methods of insemination
There are two methods: natural and artificial.
The natural, in turn, is subdivided into:
- Manual. The sow is covered with a boar at the beginning of the heat. The owner himself chooses the animals for mating.
- Free. One boar mates several sows by choice, which has a negative impact on the quality of sperm. This method increases the risk of embryonic mortality and the birth of weak offspring.
Artificial insemination is the introduction of sperm into the female’s reproductive tract using certain instruments. The method is most often used in large farms.
The beginning of sexual hunting
Signs that indicate it is time to mate:
- restless behavior;
- loss of appetite;
- aggression;
- redness and swelling of the genitals;
- frequent urination;
- mucous discharge from the vulva;
- the desire to jump on other pigs (regardless of gender);
- When pressure is applied to the lower back, the pig freezes in place and bends.
Conducting mating
Approximately 12 hours after the start of the hunt, the pig is allowed to approach the male. It is better to do this in a barn or on a walking area in the summer, the place should be well known to the boar.
The average duration of mating is 15-30 minutes, It is unacceptable to try to speed up the process; a person must create comfortable conditions for animals, without unnecessary noise and extraneous strong odors.
After the first mating, a control mating is performed 12 hours later. If after 3 weeks the signs of sexual heat appear again, then the female is not pregnant. Then she is given another attempt with another boar, if it is also unsuccessful, then the female is rejected.
Caring for a pig after farrowing
Features of caring for a recently farrowed pig:
- In the first hour after the birth of the offspring, the sow should be given fresh warm water.
- After 12 hours, feed for the first time – give 0,5 kg of bran or mash from concentrated feed.
- In the following days, the food norm is gradually increased, the food is given in liquid form (diluted in water in a ratio of 1:3). Such food will help to avoid constipation.
- The sow returns to a full feeding regimen only after 14 days.
- If the pig has no appetite, this may be a sign of vitamin deficiency; vitamins D and B should be included in the diet.
- It is important to monitor the condition of the mammary glands, wipe with water with the addition of creolin.
It is necessary to protect the suckling queen from stress and not allow rough handling, otherwise the maternal instinct will decrease.
Diseases and their treatment
Pig farming is only profitable if the animals are healthy. Let’s look at the most common diseases that should be feared and prevented in a timely manner.
infectious
This is the most dangerous group of diseases that spread very quickly and can cause the death of the entire herd.
These include:
- mug;
- viral gastroenteritis;
- paratyphoid;
- dysentery;
- leptospirosis;
- plague;
- circovirus infection;
- parvovirus infection;
- Aujeszky’s disease.
The causative agents of diseases are bacteria, viruses and fungi that enter the body through the digestive tract, sexually or through microcracks in the skin. Carriers are both sick pigs and rodents, birds and other pets.
The main symptoms of infectious diseases in pigs are:
- loss of appetite.
- vomiting;
- diarrhea;
- depressed state;
- the appearance of spots and rashes on the skin;
- labored breathing.
If symptoms are detected, you should seek veterinary help and begin treatment immediately.
Prevention
It is always easier to prevent a disease than to treat it, so special attention should be paid to preventive measures:
- Observe the rules for keeping and feeding animals.
- Allowing unauthorized persons into the pigsty is strictly prohibited.
- Get vaccinated on time.
- Remove waste products in a timely manner, wash feeders and waterers.
- Make sure that rodents do not appear in the pigsty.
vermin
Helminths, of course, are not as dangerous as infectious diseases, but they also need to be dealt with in a timely manner. Worms cause metabolic disorders, weight loss, and can also be transmitted to humans.
Infection most often occurs when animals swallow parasite eggs along with grass. Sometimes pigs eat soil, in which case helminths can also penetrate.
The main signs of the presence of worms in pigs are:
- poor appetite;
- anxiety;
- exhaustion;
- cough;
- dyspnea;
- slight increase in temperature;
- indigestion.
The most common helminths in pigs include:
- roundworms;
- metastrongylus;
- trichinella;
- cysticerci (Finns);
- scrapers.
For treatment, drugs based on fenbendazole and albendazole are used (Febtal, Alben, Panacur, Oxylur). The specific drug and dosage will be prescribed by a veterinarian.
Important! The information is not a direct guide to action. Treatment should be carried out only by qualified specialists.
Vaccination
Timely vaccinations will help avoid diseases.
Piglets are given the following from birth:
- from the plague;
- from salmonella;
- from helminths;
- against erysipelas;
- from foot-and-mouth disease;
- from rickets;
- from leptospirosis;
- from Teschen disease.
The owner needs to learn how to give injections themselves or contact a veterinarian.
Features of winter maintenance
In summer, pigs can walk and move freely within the farm or production facility. But in winter, they need special conditions. In principle, these animals tolerate cold quite well, so at a temperature of 8-10 degrees they will be comfortable.
Among other nuances that you need to pay attention to, the following are highlighted:
- Air humidity indicator. During the cold period it should not exceed 75-80%.
- All windows and cracks where drafts can come through must be sealed. In areas with particularly harsh winters, the sheathing should consist of additional insulation in the form of straw, sawdust or moss.
- Hay as bedding has proven itself to be excellent. Pigs really like to burrow there. It keeps them warm and the financial side is not so expensive.
- Use a heater It is only worth it in special cases, if the sow is pregnant or has already given birth to piglets. In all other situations, it is an expensive pleasure, and also unsafe, considering how easily the straw in the room can catch fire.
- In winter, you shouldn’t rule out walking. In fine sunny weather, you can let the pigs out to frolic a bit and get some fresh air.
- Feeding in winter also has its own specifics. The main requirements are constant availability of warm drinking water and a varied diet with minerals and nutrients. It is good if the menu includes fish and meat scraps, high-quality meadow hay, fruits and vegetables. Sometimes a bowl of salt is put out so that the pig can use it if its body wants it.
Breed selection
Meat and fat
They are also called universal, since they allow you to get both meat and lard.
Meat and fat breeds include:
- large white;
- Siberian northern;
- Breitovskaya;
- Murom;
- Kemerovo
- Latvian white.
The average weight of boars of these breeds is 350 kg, pigs – 230-240 kg. They gain weight quickly, the number of piglets in one litter is 10-12.
Sebaceous
These pigs have a lot of high-quality fat.
The direction is represented by the following breeds:
- Ukrainian steppe;
- large black;
- Mirgorodskaya;
- Mangalitskaya.
The average weight of boars is 330-350 kg, pigs – 220-250 kg. The meat in the carcass is 50%, fat – about 40%. They easily tolerate heat, can be kept on pastures.
Bacon (meat)
These include:
- landrace;
- Urzhum;
- Estonian bacon;
- Duroc.
On average, a pig weighs about 250 kg, a wild boar – up to 320 kg. The breeds have very high meat qualities, a thin layer of subcutaneous fat. Slaughter yield is 55-70%.
Each farmer chooses the direction of pig farming that interests him, taking into account his capabilities and the specifics of demand in the region.
Pros and cons of breeding
Pigs are distinguished by good fertility and, with proper regular care, give birth to up to 12 piglets in one litter. In addition, these animals grow quite quickly and have a decent slaughter weight. Pigs are omnivores, so choosing food for them will not be difficult.
Advantages of pig breeding:
- You can choose the most suitable direction: Raising for meat, lard, bacon or selling piglets. Breeding boars are used for mating on a paid basis.
- Rapid increase in commodity mass. 6-month-old piglets can already be slaughtered for meat.
- Slaughter weight – up to 80% (for cattle – no more than 60%).
- Animals are undemanding to the conditions of keeping, can feed on waste, weeds, grass.
- Sows They carry their offspring for about 114 days, and two farrowings are possible per year.
- Many breeds immunity to most diseases. With timely vaccination, you can forget about health problems.
It is these factors that have determined the popularity of pig farming as a family business.
Potential difficulties in home pig farming:
- Take care of the livestock It is quite physically difficult: it requires a lot of effort to clean the piggeries, feed the animals, and take care of their health.
- At certain times, for example, during farrowing, pigs will require even more careful care.
- To start your own business A certain amount of capital will be required. The minimum costs are for purchasing piglets and setting up a pigsty.
- It is important to get vaccinated on time and comply with sanitary standards.
However, there are still more positive aspects.
Buying piglets
What to look for when buying:
- Age – about 2 months.
- Weight – not less than 15-16 kg.
- Activity, appetite. Greedy eating of food is a sign that the piglet can be bought. If the piglet sucks food lazily, it is better to refuse it.
- Even breathing without wheezing.
- Uniform pink tint of the eye membranes, snout and mouth. The ears are also pink.
- Broad chest and straight back.
- Rounded sides and sacrum.
- Eyes are shiny, mobile. No injuries, discharge, swelling.
- Hook tail. This feature is especially important for the universal and meat direction, it indicates that the muscles of the whole body are well developed.
- Shiny hooves on strong legs.
- The bristles are shiny.
Experienced pig breeders pay attention: if a piglet has short legs, it stops growing early and starts to gain fat, so it is better to use it for lard. Piglets with long legs grow slowly, but quickly gain weight, so inexpensive concentrates can be used to fatten them.
Profitability
In general, keeping pigs at home is profitable in almost any region of Russia. However, much in this case will depend on the choice of breed and the purpose of keeping.
The main advantages of pig farming are as follows:
- high-quality pork is always in demand on the market, and its price is high;
- the yield of meat products from pigs is up to ninety percent, which is twenty to thirty percent more than from cattle;
- one sow can produce up to thirty piglets annually;
- pigs are resistant to most diseases and have excellent vitality;
- the costs of feeding and fattening pigs are much lower than those of other livestock;
- pigs quickly gain muscle and fat mass, due to which, at the age of six months, they weigh up to one hundred kilograms or more;
- animals are undemanding to the premises where they are kept;
- Piglets can also be sold profitably at the age of one month.
Conclusions
- Pigs gain weight quickly. But to make this possible, it is important to properly organize the feeding regime and composition, and subsequently the method of slaughter, especially for beginners.
- Profitability of pig farming directly depends on the choice of breed and the quality of the young.
- Pigs are unpretentious in maintenance. Therefore, new piggeries can be built for them or deep old premises can be converted.
- For disease prevention It is necessary to carry out vaccinations in a timely manner, this is of particular importance, observe hygiene standards and treat piggeries.
