Top Techniques to Reduce Pig Mortality: Expert Tips

Pig farming is profitable when managed efficiently, but high mortality rates can lead to significant economic losses. Reducing pig mortality requires a combination of good management practices, proper housing, adequate nutrition, disease control, and close monitoring of piglets from birth to market weight. Here are the best techniques to minimize pig mortality and ensure a healthy, thriving herd.

Optimal Farrowing Management

Farrowing (the process of a sow giving birth) is one of the most critical stages in pig farming. Many piglet deaths occur during or shortly after birth due to factors like crushing by the sow, cold stress, or poor colostrum intake. Ensuring a safe and well-managed farrowing process reduces piglet mortality and improves survival rates.

To prevent these issues, farrowing crates should be provided to protect piglets from being crushed. To boost immunity, newborn piglets should receive colostrum within the first few hours of life. Additionally, to prevent hypothermia, maintain a warm environment (around 30–35°C) using heat lamps or heating pads.

After farrowing, it is essential to monitor both the sow and piglets to ensure a healthy start. Weak or smaller piglets may need assistance in suckling or supplementary feeding to improve their chances of survival. Piglets should be guided to safe nursing positions to prevent crushing accidents.

The sow’s health should also be closely monitored, as post-farrowing complications such as infections or mastitis can affect milk production and piglet growth. Providing clean water and a nutrient-rich diet helps support the sow’s recovery and ensures she produces sufficient milk for her litter.

Proper Nutrition and Feeding Programs

Malnutrition or poor diet formulation can weaken pigs and make them susceptible to diseases. Proper nutrition is essential for pig growth, immunity, and overall health. Ensuring that pigs receive the right balance of nutrients at different stages of life is key to preventing mortality and improving productivity.

To achieve this, provide pregnant and lactating sows with a nutrient-rich diet to produce healthy piglets. Introduce creep feeding to piglets early to ease the transition from milk to solid feed and promote early growth. Additionally, maintaining a clean and sufficient water supply is important in preventing dehydration and heat stress, which can significantly impact pig health and survival.

Effective Disease Prevention and Biosecurity

Diseases are a leading cause of pig mortality, making disease prevention a top priority for farmers. A well-structured biosecurity program can significantly reduce disease outbreaks and improve herd health.

To achieve this, vaccinate pigs against common diseases like porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), classical swine fever, and foot-and-mouth disease.

Implement strict biosecurity measures, including restricting farm visitors, regularly disinfecting equipment, and controlling rodent populations to prevent disease introduction and spread.

Additionally, isolate new pigs before integrating them into the main herd to minimize the risk of transmitting infections and ensure the overall health of the existing stock.

Proper Housing and Ventilation

Overcrowding and poor ventilation in pig housing can cause significant stress, leading to respiratory issues and the risk of disease outbreaks. To ensure the well-being of the pigs, it is essential to provide adequate space for them to move freely. Use non-slip flooring to prevent injuries and allow easy cleaning. This allows the pigs to express natural behaviors, promoting overall health and comfort.

Additionally, proper ventilation is important to reduce ammonia buildup, which can lead to respiratory problems. Keeping the housing area dry and clean is another key aspect of improving housing conditions. This helps prevent bacterial growth and infections, ensuring the pigs stay healthy and minimizing the need for medical intervention.

Monitoring and Early Intervention

Keeping detailed records of each pig’s health, treatments, and vaccinations is essential for better management and ensuring timely interventions. The Piggery Manager Farm app simplifies this process by providing a convenient platform to track and store information about each pig. This includes recording health issues, such as lethargy, poor appetite, diarrhea, or labored breathing, and allowing you to quickly address potential concerns.

The app also helps track pigs' growth by allowing regular weighing, which can highlight nutritional deficiencies early on. With all health data in one place, the app enhances record-keeping efficiency, helping you maintain a healthier and more productive herd.

Weaning and Stress Reduction Techniques

Weaning is the process of transitioning piglets from the sow’s milk to solid feed. It is a critical stage in pig farming, as improper weaning can lead to stress, reduced growth rates, and increased mortality. A well-managed weaning process ensures that piglets adapt smoothly to solid feed, maintain good health, and continue growing efficiently.

The weaning process is a critical period for piglets, and if not managed properly, it can lead to stress and increased mortality. To reduce stress during this transition, it is essential to gradually introduce piglets to solid feed before complete weaning. This allows their digestive system to adjust slowly, minimizing the risk of digestive problems and stress.

Avoid abrupt separation from the sow, which can cause anxiety in piglets. Ensuring a smooth and gradual transition helps the piglets adjust more comfortably.

Maintaining stable group sizes is vital, as it reduces competition and aggression among weaned piglets, promoting a more peaceful environment and improving overall survival rates.

Control of External and Internal Parasites

Parasites, both internal (such as worms) and external (such as mites and lice), can weaken pigs and make them more susceptible to secondary infections. To prevent this, it's essential to implement effective control measures. One key strategy is deworming pigs at scheduled intervals based on veterinary recommendations, which helps reduce the risk of internal parasites affecting the pigs' health.

In addition to deworming, maintaining clean pens and rotating pastures is important to break the parasite life cycles, preventing reinfestation. To control external parasites, using appropriate insecticides helps manage infestations of mites and lice, minimizing stress and improving the pigs' overall health and well-being.

Conclusion

Reducing pig mortality is essential for a profitable pig farming operation. Key strategies include effective farrowing management, such as using farrowing crates and ensuring proper colostrum intake, as well as providing balanced nutrition at every growth stage. Disease prevention through vaccinations, biosecurity measures, and maintaining clean environments is crucial in reducing health risks.

Proper housing with good ventilation helps minimize stress and respiratory issues. Regular monitoring, supported by tools like the Piggery Manager Farm app, allows for early intervention, while stress-reducing weaning practices and parasite control further promote a healthy, productive herd. Implementing these practices ensures reduced mortality and long-term success.