Pig production may be classified as:
1. Sow-herd which includes feeder pig production and farrow to finish.
2. Feeder pig finishing.
In either case, housing facilities vary from simple to specialized, high-density confinement.
The simplest is a pasture system usually operating to yield only two litters per year from one group of sows in a farrow to finish system. Feeders and waterers are provided and fly breeding may occur around them. This type of production is rapidly disappearing.
Most pig production occurs in either low-intensity or high-intensity confinement systems.
Low intensity involves the use of simple buildings (sometimes converted from other uses) with concrete floors (with or without bedding) and partially open fronts. There may be an outside run or pen area with feeders and waterers.
Drawing of low-intensity pig housing with outside pen.
Sectional view of low-intensity pig housing with pen.
Manure is removed from the building and outside pens by scraper or occasionally by flushing.
Runoff from the pens is collected in holding ponds after passing through a settling basin if the system is properly constructed. Sometimes, however, there is no provision for collecting runoff, and areas adjacent to the pens become saturated with manure and produce flies.
Low-intensity housing may be used for sow herds or for feeder pig finishing. Separate buildings are usually used for growing-finishing and for farrowing. Often the low-intensity system involves two groups of sows for staggered production.
In the high-intensity confinement system, buildings are designed and built specifically for pig production.
Farrowing in a sow-herd system is closely scheduled and staggered, to allow continuous year-round production.
Sophisticated buildings and equipment may be used for feeder pig production, farrow to finish, or for feeder pig finishing only.
View of multi pens in enclosed, environmentally-controlled, high-intensity, partially-slotted floor pig facility.
In a sow-herd system, a separate building or partitioned portions of a building are used for gestation and breeding, farrowing, nursery, and growing-finishing.
Growing-finishing is either to feeder pig selling weight (18–28kg) or to market weight (about 100kg).
Buildings are either totally or partially enclosed, and equipped with fans and heaters. In mild climates, partial curtain sides may be used. Feeders and waterers are automatic.
The trend in pig production is towards totally enclosed, environmentally-controlled facilities. These allow the greatest production efficiency during all seasons of the year.
