How to treat stress pigs?

1. Adjust the diet to ensure the feed intake of sows.

"The biggest problem for sows in summer is the decrease in feed intake during lactation."

Pearson said. "Adjust the proportion of diet to avoid the decrease of sow's feed intake, and ensure that the physical condition score of sows during the whole lactation period is maintained between 3 and 5 points." In summer, some special feed additives can be added to maintain dry matter intake.

2. Feed sows in stages

It is very important for sows to maintain a good physical condition score. Therefore, it is suggested that sows be allowed to eat freely during lactation (no restriction on food intake) and limit food intake during pregnancy.

Pearson said: "Don't overfeed sows during pregnancy, as long as they can keep healthy." "Once overfeeded, the feed intake of sows during lactation will decrease, and sows with high physical condition scores will even have greater stress in hot days."

Feeding during lactation is very important for sows, because they need better nutrition level to maintain their physical condition. Pearson suggested that breeders can adjust the diet of sows during lactation so that sows can get enough nutrition.

Step 3 feed nutrition-intensive food

It is possible for sows to reduce their feed intake during lactation. In order to make up for this possible nutritional loss, it is suggested to feed sows with good palatability and concentrated energy. Some special feed additives for sows in summer can often provide intensive energy sources, which can help sows to eat enough nutrients to maintain their physical condition, which is more conducive to milk secretion during lactation.

4. Feed several times.

The process of feed decomposition will produce heat, and if sows eat too much at one time, it will lead to the increase of sow body temperature. Therefore, it is recommended to feed sows several times a day to reduce the heat energy generated by feed decomposition. Pearson suggested feeding 2-3 small meals a day, preferably in the evening or early morning, when the temperature is very cool, so as to prevent the body temperature from rising significantly.

Experiments show that the feed intake of sows can be increased from 10% to 15% by dividing two diets with large feed intake into three diets with small feed intake. This increased feed intake should also be taken into account when designing the diet formula for summer sows.

5. Crude fat replaces crude fiber to provide energy.

Adding high-concentration fat (such as white oil or vegetable oil) to pig diet instead of 2-6% crude fiber (such as soybean skin, wheat bran, DDGS and alfalfa).

Pearson believes that adding 22.68-45.36 kilograms of crude fat to a ton of full-price diet can increase the energy density of feed and help sows obtain necessary nutrition. Compared with adding crude protein, this method adds much less calories.

6. Evaluate the content of trace elements

"When feeding sows, make sure they get a balance of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and energy," Pearson explained, and this level may need to be increased according to the time of heat and humidity.

7. Ensure that sows can freely drink high-quality water.

Pearson

Producers are advised to ensure that sows have enough fresh and high-quality water at any time. He said that in summer, nursing sows can consume up to 60.57 liters of water every day, and each sow needs to consume 18.93-37.85 liters of water on average every day.

8. Keep the feed fresh

In high temperature environment, feed may deteriorate. By increasing feeding frequency, eating more rice and cleaning the feeding area regularly, sow feed can be kept fresh all summer.