Proper temperature control in the barn starts with proper ventilation. To keep pigs healthy and prevent heat stress that can impact health and performance, Mark Oberreuter, senior technician and ventilation expert for AP, recommends these five steps to help provide an optimal hog environment during hot weather.
1. Make sure tunnel fans turn on during hot temperatures. Check before warm weather arrives if your barn controller offers test mode.
2. Clean tunnel fan shutters and inspect the fan housing and cone. Dirty shutters, cracks and defects in the fan housing and cone can negatively impact the ability of the fans to move high volumes of air.
3. Check for loose or worn fan belts and replace if necessary.
4. Ensure your tunnel curtains open properly.
5. Clean and inspect your cooling system to make sure it is functioning properly.
Technology, such as controllers, can be a useful tool to create and maintain the ideal hog environment, Oberreuter says. Not only does it allow producers to conveniently monitor multiple barns, but it can also help them notice changes in the barn environment, water consumption and feed intake.
“Technology doesn’t replace the need to walk your barns and see how your pigs are doing, but it can help supplement visual inspection,” he says.
Don’t forget to pay attention to the weather forecast, Oberreuter adds.
“Have your fans, shutters and other cooling system components ready, so that if hot weather is expected, your pigs can stay cool and at their highest levels of productivity,” he says.
Read More from Farm Journal’s PORK:
5 Ways to Keep Pigs Cool When Temperatures Rise
The Positives and Negatives of Negative and Positive Pressure Filtration
Thousands Of Pigs Killed During Power Outages From Canadian Storm
