Dr. Paul Yeske, Dr. Ross Kiehne and Dr. Tim Loula

Here is what Drs. Tim Loula, Paul Yeske and Ross Kiehne of the Swine Vet Center, St. Peter, MN, have to say about managing double-filled wean-to-finish buildings:

Getting Pigs Started – First Ten Days Are Critical

• Make sure there are enough mats for double-filled pigs to lie on. That usually means two 4 x 4’ (1.22 x 1.22 m) mats or two 4 x 6’ (1.22 x 1.8 m) mats.
• Provide ample heat above the mats. Drs. Loula, Yeske and Kiehne suggest tube heaters, brooder heaters or two heat lamps.
• Hand-feed on mats to help pigs get started until their social eating order is established.

Feeding

• Feeders must have enough feed spaces to handle double-filling. Watch pigs closely and check for noticeable signs that bellies are filled.
• Back off on hand-feeding after about three days. Pigs should be eating from the feeder by seven days after entering the barn. If there is a wide age range of pigs due to filling dates, make sure to hand-feed accordingly.

Ventilation

• Because of the heavy load of pigs during the first part of the feeding period, it is easy for rooms to be under-ventilated or too humid. Shoot for humidity levels of 50 to 70 percent and ventilation rates of 2 cfm/pig.

Adequate Water Source

• Small pigs and problem pigs benefit from additional water and nutrition source such as a bowl that latches to the floor. Producers often add antibiotics, electrolytes, vitamins and plasma.
• Cup waterers can be clamped open or left dripping to help small pigs find the water source.
• Styrofoam pieces can also be used in the nipple to hold it open until pigs find water source and knock it out.

Disease Prevention

• Wide slats can get dirty with manure buildup. Keep slats dry to avoid exposing pigs to high pathogen load.
• Sick pens should have a bowl system that can provide water mixed with feed to form a mash.
• Treat sick pigs immediately. Look for lameness, pigs that are off-feed and other signs of illness.