5 ways to keep your pigs from sizzling this summer

The heat is almost on. What can pig producers do now to prepare their barn?
Heat can cause significant stress for pigs, often causing agitation and affecting their eating habits. When pigs eat less, they convert less feed into muscle thus reducing their average daily gain, increasing their days to market and ultimately putting a damper on the producer’s pocket book. Stress also opens doors to many other possibilities such as health challenges.
“You have to take into account the heat outside in addition to the heat that the pigs are producing from eating and moving around in the barn. Respiratory rates begin to increase around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and with high humidity, it becomes difficult for pigs to find relief from the heat on their own,” said Russell Gilliam, U.S. swine business manager for Alltech.
Pigs cannot cool themselves off as well as other animals. Gilliam suggests five key management areas for beating the heat this summer:
Control the temperature. This is especially important in early and latesummer as wide variations between night and day temperatures can compoundstress levels that the animals are experiencing. Avoid temperature shiftsof a few degrees or more. Monitoring equipment such as computers, sensors andthermometers are essential. 
Increase ventilation and ensureadequate space. Since pigs can generatelarge amounts of heat, focus on practices that produce less. Ensure eachpig has enough space and ventilation. Keep motion minimal and do notdisturb the animals during peak temperature times of the day. Check allfans and vents to ensure they are clean and running properly.
Focus on water quality and access. It is very important to make sure pigs haveunlimited access to fresh and cool drinking water, as drinking levels canalso have an effect on feed intake. Taking water samples at the beginningand end of the water lines can help confirm water is the best qualitypossible.
Power your nutrition program. Data has shown that offering pigs a combination of organic acids, electrolytes, enzymes and probiotics can support young animals during times of stress. Organic acids support probiotic growth in the gut and enzymes can help enhance intake and digestibility. Electrolytes make sure the animal stays hydrated, especially in times of heat stress. Combination technologies work quickly by lowering the pH of the water. Depending on the type of water and the target level for pH, these technologies can work on their own or with a combination of other ingredients to help optimize the gut environment. 
Monitor your pigs. Even if you think it might not be too hot, pigscan still be affected by the additional heat they are creating. Watch forsigns that your pigs are overheating: faster breathing, fluctuations infeed and water intake levels, reduced activity and lying stretched on thefloor, often separated from others.
"Being prepared for heat stress challenges can lead to healthier animals and healthier profits. Addressing the summer challenges that arise as quickly as possible can have a major impact on the overall value of your pigs when you take them to market,” Gilliam said. “To keep your animals prepared, it is essential you keep their nutrition equipped with technologies that build their natural immunity.”