Facilities and Technology

For the modern small-scale producer, swine operations can be successfully managed in low-tech facilities. However, for the large-scale commercial farmer, investment in pig housing and facilities is essential. Find information on the management of mechanical ventilation systems, best practices for biosecurity, and how to monitor ammonia levels effectively.

Swine Housing, Pens, and Feeders

A successful breeding herd of pigs will be made up of animals at different stages of development, each having specific housing needs. In some states, there are laws in place that stipulate group housing for sows during gestation. However, on the whole, farms are free to choose a housing system based on the needs of their pigs, what facilities they have available, and the marketplace in which they plan to sell their pigs.

Alternatives include nursery housing where the temperature can be carefully controlled and the right amount of bedding can be provided.

When a sow is farrowing, it’s generally best to keep them in farrowing crates or pens. The temperature can be controlled and there are areas where the piglets can get away from the sow. A fundamental feature of a farrowing area is that it has to be well ventilated to prevent the air from getting stale. Fresh air is vital for sows’ and piglets’ health and well-being.

Gestating sows are often housed in gestation crates because it allows feed to be provided separately and stops fights breaking out. Pens can also be used, but there’s a risk of sows lower in the pecking order to miss out on food.

Temperature Regulation, Ventilation, and Bedding

For pigs to be healthy and good producers of meat, they require housing that can be kept at just the right temperature. Swine don’t grow well when the temperatures are either too hot or too cold and are prone to stress. Many producers choose to house their hogs in barns during the cold winter and modify the environment in order to maintain an optimum temperature. Swine have a narrow thermo-neutral zone. Mature pigs, for example, can handle much lower temperatures (min 40°F) than growing pigs (min. 50°F).

Being able to maintain the correct temperature in the herd’s environment can be challenging for producers. In the winter, for example, extra costs for heating will influence your profit. Pork producers are continually looking for ways to run cost-effective farms, and many are turning to upgrade options for farm lighting in order to save money.

The welfare of pigs in a barn environment is also very much dependent on providing good air quality and ventilation. Fresh air must be allowed to come into the barn at the same time as the stale and moisture-laden air is removed. The air quality of housing environments is easy to evaluate using a variety of instruments.

Penn State Extension has a wide selection of resources relating to the ventilation of livestock housing. Topics covered include inlets for mechanical ventilation systems, selecting rated ventilation fans, ammonia monitoring, tunnel ventilation, and odor measurement.