Exercise No.

3
SWINE HOUSING AND
SITE SELECTION
i. Introduction
Proper housing and site selection for swine is essential to fully maximize the
performance of the swine for its successful production. Not only this will improve the health
condition of the swine but it will also produce great quality of products. Integration of proper
housing also minimizes the disease problems that exist in the area and will be easily
manageable and as for site selection, factors such as local zoning regulations, environmental
impact, and proximity to feed suppliers should be considered so that animal welfare will be
well-maintained.
Application of proper swine housing and site selection enhances the quality of
swine production because these lessens the stress in swine, reduces the risk in injuries and
improve swine well-being that leads to greater profits, good productivity, and great quality
will be achieved. Therefore, measures conforming to standard for proper housing and site
selection should be applied such as houses should be built at the right angles to the
prevailing wind's direction to ensure adequate ventilation, the concrete floor should have an
elevation or grade of not less than 3% or around 12cm for a 4-meter long pen and other
standards to ensure swine productivity.
To sum it up, it is importance to consider these things so that when going on
swine business or venture, it will assure great return in investment and losses will be
prevented such as cost loss, building cost and livestock loss and can go in the long run to
achieve success in swine production.
 II. Objectives
1. To understand the requirement of hogs for the housing system
2. To compare and contrast the types and systems of housing
3. To identify and recommend factors for a good housing
4. To suggest modifications to improve housing structure and employ animal space required
design for hog facilities

III. Methodology
1. Short discussions on types of housing according to roof design, pens arrangement, scale of
operation and purpose of production.
2. Visited the swine project, estimated the different pen corresponding to the different swine
production and did some observations.

IV. Results and Discussion

Estimates and observe the swine housing of the Department of Animal Science and discuss your
assessment.

Class of Covered floor area per animal (m²)

animals
Boar 4-6 m²
Farrowing 4-6 m²
Weaner 0.3-0.5 m²

Gestating Sow 2.25-2.5 m²

Lactating Sow 4-6 m²

Dry Sow 2.25-2.5 m²

Sow and Piglets 4-6 m²

(up to 30 days)
Fatteners 1.0-1.5 m²
 Providing an appropriate housing environment for swine is important for their health,
well-being, and reproductive performance. From the assessment, the covered floor area per
animal is always an adequate size by doing so the area for the swine is spacious and comfortable
which helps reduce stress, prevent injuries, and promote good hygiene. The swine housing
observed is properly maintained and organized which is essential because proper maintenance of
a swine housing prevents disease, improves air quality, promotes pig comfort, and increases
efficiency.
V. Questions to Answer
1. Why do we need to follow space requirements in every stage of production of pigs?
What are the benefits of such in production, health and comfort of hogs?
-Because following space requirements in every stage of production of pigs produces
ample shelters thus provides enough comfort and healthful conditions that permits proper growth
and development for the pigs to produce productive herd. Application of such ensures the long-
term success for swine production, improves and results to great health condition, and achieves
the comfort the hogs needed for result in great quality of production.
2. In planning to construct housing in swine, what environmental factors and equipment
should be considered?
-It is important to consider environmental factors and equipments when planning to
construct housing in swine to attain great swine production. Therefore, the temperature,
ventilation, location from the main road to easier access, the area, the flooring, the water supply,
feeding system and equipment, and the waste management system, should be considered because
these are essential for great quality of hogs and the production outcomes will be maximized.
3. Compare and contrast conventional/backyard type swine housing and commercial
type swine housing?

-Conventional/backyard type swine housing are good for small-scale farmers because it
is only composed of small-scale area, design and management practices, meanwhile for
commercial type housing are for large-scale swine production. Commercial type housing cost
more than conventional type swine housing however produces great return of income for it
provides more comfort and contributes more to swine productivity.

4. Why hogs are more sensitive to extreme temperature compared to other farm
animals?
- The main factor why hogs are more sensitive to extreme temperature compared to
other farm animals is because hogs don’t have sweat glands. Hogs don’t have to ability to
regulate their body temperatures and are susceptible for heat and cold stress. With the stresses
they acquired from not being able to regulate their temperature, these leads to existence of
diseases for hogs and harness their growth rate. Therefore, this should be noted to build swine
housing with proper ventilation and a comfortable area for hogs to result to healthy hogs and
attain great swine productivity.
I. References

Holden, P.J. and M.E. Ensminger.2006. Swine Science. Seventh Edition. Pearson Prentice
Hall. Upper saddle River, New Jersey 07458.

Taylor, Robert E. 1977. Scientific Farm Animal Production: An Introduction to Animal

Science. Fifth Edition. Prentice Hall, Inc. New Jersey, U.S.A.

Place, S. E. (2018, January 1). Animal welfare and environmental issues.