Raising Healthy Pigs: Practical Guidance for Small and Mid-Size Farms

Raising healthy pigs on a small or mid-size farm requires consistent management across feeding, housing, biosecurity, and early-life care. This guide focuses on practical, evidence-informed steps you can take to produce robust animals, reduce disease risk, and improve welfare and productivity.

Feeding regimes: phase feeding and key nutrition points

Pigs do best when their diets are matched to their life stage. Typical phases are: suckling piglet (creep), starter (post-weaning), grower, and finisher. Use commercial feeds or well-balanced home mixes that meet energy, protein, vitamin and mineral needs. Key points:

• Creep feeding: Offer a highly palatable creep feed from 7–10 days of age to encourage early intake and smoother weaning.
• Starter diets: After weaning, provide a high-protein (around 20–24% crude protein) starter for 2–4 weeks, then transition to a grower diet.
• Grower/finisher: Grower diets commonly contain 16–18% protein; finishers 14–16% depending on target weight and genetic potential.
• Amino acids and energy: Balanced amino acids (especially lysine), sufficient energy, and appropriate mineral levels (phosphorus, calcium) matter more than raw protein number alone.
• Feeding method: Provide clean feeders, avoid overfilling to reduce waste, and ensure enough feeder space per pig to avoid competition.
• Water: Unlimited clean fresh water is essential. Aim for good flow rates (check manufacturer guidelines) and multiple drinkers in larger pens.

Shelter and environment

Good housing reduces stress and disease. Consider:

• Temperature: Newborn piglets need a warm microclimate (32–35°C at birth), gradually reduced by a few degrees per week. Weaners typically do well around 24–28°C initially, lowering as they age.
• Bedding and flooring: Dry, clean bedding (straw, wood shavings) and non-slip flooring reduce injuries and chilling. Slatted floors work for hygiene but provide bedding for piglets or use creep areas.
• Ventilation: Keep air fresh without drafts at pig level. Mechanical or natural ventilation should control moisture and ammonia to reduce respiratory problems.
• Space and grouping: Provide adequate space per pig—overcrowding increases stress and disease. Group pigs by size and temperament to reduce bullying and uneven growth.
• Farrowing area: Provide a dry, warm creep area and a safe space for the sow. Use farrowing pens/crates or loose farrowing systems depending on your management and welfare regulations.

Biosecurity and herd health

Limiting disease introduction and spread is one of the best investments you can make.

• All-in/all-out: Move groups in and out together and clean and rest facilities between groups when possible.
• Quarantine: Isolate new animals for a minimum of 2–3 weeks and monitor for signs of disease before mixing into the herd.
• Visitor and vehicle control: Keep a visitor log, require clean footwear or disposable boot covers, and restrict access. Clean and disinfect vehicles and equipment entering the farm.
• Pest control: Rodents and wild birds spread pathogens—maintain strict rodent control and limit wildlife access to feed and housing.
• Cleaning and disinfection: Remove organic matter first, then use appropriate disinfectants and allow drying time. Regularly clean feeders and waterers.
• Vaccination and veterinary plan: Work with your veterinarian to design a vaccination and parasite control program tailored to regional disease risks.

Early-life care

Early management sets the foundation for lifetime performance.

• Colostrum: Ensure piglets receive colostrum within the first 6 hours—it’s critical for immunity and survival. Assist weaker piglets to suckle or perform split-suckling if litters are large.
• Iron and anemia prevention: Piglets are prone to iron deficiency; common practice is an iron injection in the first few days—follow your vet’s guidance on timing and dose.
• Management procedures: Procedures like tail docking, castration, and teeth clipping have welfare and legal considerations. Use pain mitigation and follow local regulations; consult your veterinarian for best practices.
• Weaning: Wean at an age appropriate for your system; gradual transitions, access to creep and familiar feeds, and low-stress handling improve post-weaning growth.

Monitoring, records, and continuous improvement

Keep simple records for births, weights, treatments, feed usage, and mortalities. Regularly weigh a sample of pigs to monitor growth rates and adjust feeding programs. Track common performance indicators like feed conversion ratio and average daily gain so you can spot problems early.

Practical checklist for a healthy pig enterprise

• Provide staged diets matched to life phase and clean water at all times.
• Maintain warm, dry, draft-free microclimates for piglets and comfortable environments for older pigs.
• Implement strict biosecurity: quarantine newcomers, control pests, and clean/disinfect between groups.
• Ensure early colostrum intake and address iron needs; consult your vet on routine procedures and vaccinations.
• Keep clear records and perform regular herd health reviews with a veterinarian.

Successful small and mid-size pig farms rely on good husbandry, attention to detail, and collaboration with veterinary and nutrition professionals. Start with these practical steps and adapt them to your local climate, breeds, and market goals.