Small-scale pig production comes with unique challenges. The following guide contains tips and considerations in several areas of production. Download our small-scale production leaflet for a simplified visual format.
Housing
- 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 and water
- 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
Biosecurity
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
Handling
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.
Common swine diseases
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
General considerations
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