3 Housing Figure 4: Pig house (Barbera Oranje). In the preceding chapter we indicated that improved housing is an essential factor in the conversion to commercial pig keeping. There are numerous advantages to keeping pigs inside: ? The animals spend their energy putting on body weight rather than on seeking food and shelter. | 3 Housing Figure 4 Pig house Barbera Oranje . In the preceding chapter we indicated that improved housing is an essential factor in the conversion to commercial pig keeping. There are numerous advantages to keeping pigs inside The animals spend their energy putting on body weight rather than on seeking food and shelter. The number of piglets surviving will rise if they are born in secure and healthy surroundings. Controlling the health of the pigs is easier if they are housed since it is easier to maintain good hygiene. Feeding routines can be more carefully controlled. Manure can be easily collected and used for fertilising land. In this chapter the necessity for and the technical aspects of proper pig housing are explained. Climate The climate to which a pig is exposed is very important. If a pig is housed this can be controlled to a certain extent. Pigs are very sensitive to sudden changes in temperature. They cannot stand heavy Housing 19 rain or drought. Strong sunlight is bad for them as it causes their skin to dry out. Albino pigs especially cannot endure the sun because they have no pigment in the skin and they soon burn. This illustrates the necessity for shade. Pigs kept for optimal production should therefore be protected from climatic stress. This is only possible by ensuring that the animals are well housed. The most important factor to consider in organising proper housing is temperature. A pig s body temperature can vary with the temperature of its surroundings and a steady body temperature is important for a proper growth rate. Figure 5 Protection against climatic influences. Body temperature Every living animal produces heat when converting its food for the requirements of growth. The more an animal eats the faster it grows. and the more heat it produces. Heat is also released when an animal is active for example when walking . Warm-blooded animals birds and mammals can make use of some of this heat to keep their body temperature level. The .
