| Information sheets | | | Elsenburg infopaks | | | Animals, management: 10 |
Pig unit for small farmers
Afrikaans | Xhosa
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The basic layout comprises five sties of three meters each, which are
used in turn for farrowing and weaning sows, and grow-out pigs.
Adjoining the row of sties is a walkway which gives access to pens in front of each sty. Shade in the pens is essential. These pens provide accommodation to the dry sows and the boar. |
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The simple construction consists of a cheap iron roof upon creosote poles and cement blocks. |
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The concrete floors slope down towards the gate, to provide for drainage to the walkway which doubles as a drain for the water used to wash the sties. |
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It is important that the sty be orientated in such a way as to provide effective ventilation during the hot season, while also ensuring effective shelter during the cold, wet season.
The orientation is determined by the direction of the prevailing winds and rain, which are screened off by means of window flaps. |
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Each sty is provided with a food trough, which is also used for water where water nipples are not provided. |
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A water tank must be installed to ensure that drinking water is available at all times, preferably under pressure. |
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Gates must be positioned in such a way as to facilitate the handling of animals between sties and pens. |
The proper management of the unit, to ensure optimal traffic flow, is most important.
If the boar is kept in a pen, shade must be provided, since high temperatures impact negatively on fertility.
The recommended floor space for a farrowing crate is a minimum of 8m2, and growing pigs need ± 1.0m2 each.
For the optimal utilisation of floor space the same sty is used in turn for different phases:
Between 5 and 7 days after weaning a litter, the sow is brought to the boar for mating. The pregnant sow is then kept in the pens. Three days before farrowing the sow is placed in a sty. Weaning takes place up to 42 days after giving birth. The 3 m x 3 m sty can now be divided to accommodate two litters of sucking pigs.
After 70 days the grow-out pigs are kept at a density of one litter per sty (or 10 pigs per sty). Marketing follows after ± 150 days, depending on the weight gained. With sound management the unit is able to accommodate 5 sows, and therefore to produce 100 grow-out pigs per annum.
Refuse to be removed should be kept dry as far as possible, and liquid refuse should be restricted to a minimum. Solids are to be removed first with a spade and wheelbarrow and used for compost and manure. Thereafter the floor is washed with a hose-pipe and broom.
S Rautenbach
ELSENBURG / PORT ELIZABETH
Agricultural Engineering
