Pigs can suffer from heat stress at 20 degrees. Above 20 degrees, pigs will show various symptoms of heat stress. The following symptoms are experienced by pigs suffering from heat stress :
- Pigs start breathing more shallow
- The heart rate and blood pressure of pigs increase
- Pigs eat less
- Normally clean pigs will roll in their own excrement to cool down
- Pigs become sluggish
- Pigs grow slower
- Sows are more likely to miscarry
- Pigs become more susceptible to infections
- Pigs suffer from dehydration
- Pigs suffer from a disturbed mental balance
- Pigs will suffer from intestinal poisoning
- If the temperature is around 35°c, death can occur
Effects
At barn temperatures up to about 20 degrees, pigs feel comfortable. Above 20 degrees and with high humidity, pigs soon suffer from heat stress.
- Initially, pigs start breathing more shallow and their heart rate and blood pressure increase. If they cannot get rid of their heat properly, they will roll less, and animals that are normally ‘clean’ will roll in their own excrement to cool down. Pigs will also eat less.
- If they have not yet cooled down, pigs become lethargic and almost unresponsive. Subsequently, pigs become more susceptible to infections and more miscarriages occur in sows.
- Sows are less likely to come in heat if they suffer from heat stress, which reduces the chance of piglets being born.
- From 35 degrees heat stress can lead to death. Pigs are then more susceptible to a disturbed mineral balance, dehydration, cardiac arrest or poisoning from the intestines.
- The effects of heat stress can last for up to 6 weeks after the warm period. This makes it important to ventilate your barn well.
Prevention
To prevent heat stress in your pigs, we work with ventilators and spraying. We also use roof sprinklers on uninsulated roofs.
Pigs can suffer from heat stress when the temperature is around 20 degrees. When the temperature becomes too high for your pigs, the fans are started first. If the temperature continues to rise, we start spraying the air inlet. First, the fogging is done with long intervals. The higher the temperature, the longer the misting system is on and the shorter the intervals become.
We always use a climate computer. This monitors the temperature inside and outside your barn and also the humidity in your barn.
If the air humidity in the barn gets too high, for example just before a thunderstorm, the misting will automatically switch off. This is set to ensure that your pigs and the barn do not get wet.
For more information, a quotation or an appointment, please contact us.
