Small-scale production

Small-scale pig production comes with unique challenges. The following guide contains tips and considerations in several areas of production.

Are you new to raising pigs? Download our small-scale producer handbook and small-scale production leaflet for additional helpful information!

• Shelter should be weatherproof – providing protection from over-exposure
• Make sure the shelter is on higher ground in the pen to help with drainage
• Provide fencing to contain pigs and protect them from predators and other wildlife
• Provide bedding to allow for improved heat retention and pig comfort
• Have enough pen space to separate sows and boars if necessary

• Feed troughs should be rodent and pest proof
• Feeding table scraps is not recommended due to bacterial contamination
  • Refer to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's (CFIA) guidelines for Recycle Food Products (RFPs).
• Never feed meat and animal by-products to your pigs
• Provide a balanced diet to meet pigs' nutritional needs at each stage of production
• Provide enough feeder space to prevent competition
• Pigs need constant access to fresh water – pigs can drink up to 20L a day
• Make sure water doesn’t freeze in the winter

Fences and signs

• Signs help direct visitors and limits access to your farm
• Fences prevent wildlife entry

Protocols

• Create biosecurity protocols for visitors and personnel who have contact with your pigs

Boots and clothing

• Have dedicated boots and clothing or coveralls when working with pigs on the farm
• Have boot covers for visitors entering your farm

Cleaning and disinfecting

• Removing manure can reduce bacterial load and limit pests and rodents on your farm
• Make sure to thoroughly clean and disinfect equipment that come in contact with pigs

Plastic sorting boards

• Boards are physical aids to help move pigs
• Boards should be held firmly to prevent injury to pigs or yourself

Rattle paddles

• Provide a visual and auditory aid to help move pigs

Once you are inside the pig’s flight zone (personal space), it will move away from you

• If you are behind the pig’s shoulder, the pig will move forward
• If you are in front of the pig’s shoulder, the pig will move backward

Be calm, quiet and patient during handling.

Respiratory diseases

• Symptoms: Coughing, sneezing, abdominal breathing, and reduced growth rates
• Treatments: Contact your veterinarian
• Prevention: Proper ventilation and clean environments

Diarrhea

• Symptoms: Diarrhea with or without blood, and reduced growth rates
• Treatments: Contact your veterinarian, antibiotics
• Prevention: Improving hygiene and reducing rodents n the environment since rodents carry the disease causing pathogen

Parvovirus

• Symptoms: Reproduction failures in your sows is a common signal of the virus
• Treatments: None
• Prevention: Routine vaccination of your gilts and sows

Porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED)

• Symptoms: Diarrhea in piglets, 100% mortality in piglets
• Treatment: None
• Prevention: Strong biosecurity and sanitation protocols to prevent introduction onto your farm

Parasites

• Symptoms: Suckling piglets will show bloody diarrhea
• Treatments: Fluid therapy to prevent dehydration
• Prevention: Improve hygiene to reduce flies and parasitic load, implement a parasite control program

Nutrition

• Piglets require iron injections since there is not enough iron in the sow’s milk. Contact your veterinarian for more information
• Provide enough quality feed to your sows to minimize weight loss during lactation

Piglet management

• Piglets should have ear tags for identification
• Male piglets should be castrated - ensure to have pain control measures and consult your veterinarian
• Refer to the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pigs

Weaning

• Target weaning age should be 3 weeks or older
• If piglets are weaned too early they may be too small and require additional care
• At weaning piglets require a higher environmental temperature (35C)

Transportation

• Thoroughly clean and disinfect your truck or vehicle before entering onto your farm
• A manifest is required whenever a pig is transported and the license plate must be included
• Make sure to properly fill out your manifest and submit it to Alberta Pork

Herd health

• Talk to you veterinarian about creating a vaccination protocol and parasite control plan for your pigs