Pig Producers Advised to Check Alarms Are in Working Order
UK - Pig producers are being urged to check that they have working alarm systems in place in their pig units as warmer summer temperatures could impact on their pigs' health and welfare.“Many producers now have alarm systems to safeguard the welfare of their pigs and these are primarily used to detect situations when the temperature rises if the ventilation fails,” said Tim Miller of Staffordshire-based ARM Buildings.
“During the recent heat-wave, I have been inundated with phone calls from pig farmers asking how to turn their alarms off. They are usually set at 320C, but this temperature has been exceeded during the latest hot spell, with some house temperatures even exceeding 380C.”
Tim Miller does not advise turning the alarms off but says one solution used by many producers is to temporarily reset the alarm at a slightly higher level. However, he says it is very important for farmers not to forget to turn the setting down to the normal level when hot spells subside.
“Without air conditioning it is impossible to lower piggery temperatures below ambient air temperature, so it is a question of short-term management,” he said.