Organic pig production – how to ensure good hygiene

Appropriate management routines implemented in pig herds are key to promote animal health and control the occurrence of parasites and diseases outbreaks. Cleaning and disinfection can help control the most frequently occurring helminths in sows, the nodular worm and the red stomach worm, which are transmitted as free-living larvae. Disinfection has very little effect though on infective helminth larvae, e.g. large round worm, which are protected by egg shells.

Batch systems with an all-in all-out use of housing allow efficient cleaning, drying and disinfection between batches of pigs. However, in organic pig husbandry, smaller sizes of organic herds may limit the possibilities to operate such a system.

Recommendations:

Wash carefully between litters: When the pen is empty after the sows and piglets have moved out, remove faeces and rough dirt, also in corners, narrow openings and under troughs. Repair worn rough floors.

Soak the pens with water for several hours before cleaning with a high pressure cleaner. Clean until the water comes down clear from the surfaces. Warm water (40 °C) helps to dissolve dirt and faeces. Stalls must be dry before disinfection and before entry of new animals.

Drying of the pen is essential to reduce the number of parasite eggs and larvae. UV light is helpful. Ideally the clean pens are left empty for 5 days.

Wash sows with warm water and a brush before moving them into the farrowing house.

Moving of huts provides a cleaner environment for the next farrowing and appears to reduce transmission of the coccidia Isospora suis to piglets.