Livestock farming has changed over the last 20 years. New tools and equipment have been created to keep your animals healthier and safer. However, one issue that remains is heat stress in swine. Heat and humidity can seriously harm your pigs because they can’t cool off fast enough on their own. Luckily, most modern swine are taken care of through livestock ventilation to prevent serious heat stress. Here is a brief guide on the effects of humidity and what a ventilation unit can do for your pigs.

A Guide to Humidity & Swine

How Humidity Affects Swine

Pigs have trouble keeping cool because they don’t sweat. They will show signs of distress by sprawling out on shaded cement or by panting. Panting helps to increase their airflow in their lungs. Although humidity won’t cause death, hot and humid conditions can interfere with their growth performance. A pig that is feeling heat stress will decrease their food intake to keep their internal temperature cooler. This will cause a reduction in weight gain.

Additionally, it can negatively affect reproduction in your breeding herd. Heat stress can also cause piglets to be stillborn if the mother is exposed to extreme humidity a few weeks before farrowing. Boars are also negatively affected by heat stress. It can sap sperm production and decrease sperm quality.   

Prevent Heat Stress With Livestock Ventilation

Pigs need an adequate source of water when the weather gets warmer. Aside from water, ventilation provides significant relief. Livestock ventilation is crucial to keep the humidity moving in the building, which otherwise would stay stagnant. It brings fresh outdoor air into your facility through planned channels and removes humidity, heat, and air contaminants along the way. Keeping the sticky, warm air moving through tunnel ventilation will reduce their body temperatures by 18 degrees. This is enough to prevent heat stress. 

If you’re in need of a ventilation system for your pigs, consider Vittetoe Inc. in Keota, IA. The company provides a huge range of quality agricultural products and ventilation systems, including controls, inlets, and fans. Their knowledgeable staff will help answer your questions and prepare you with the right tools to create a successful business. Visit the website to learn more about the ventilation options offered, or call (641) 636-2259 for more information.