Tips for hygiene during a tour of the pig barn

In Times of African Swine Fever and Foot-and-Mouth Disease, Biosafety is More Important Than Ever for Pig Farmers

When it comes to daily work in the pigsty, a high level of hygiene is crucial for biosafety. Here are some key points to keep in mind during your rounds in the barn.

Age-Ordered Approach

From young to old: If different age groups are being cared for by the same individuals in the operation, they should systematically work from the youngest to the oldest pigs. This prevents the spread of pathogens, as older animals are more heavily contaminated with germs than younger ones. Start your daily check in the farrowing house, then move to the nursery, and finally to the finishing barn.

Clothing and Footwear Change

Change your shoes and overalls between age groups. Clean your boots after every use. A sole without a profile is particularly advantageous, as less dirt can accumulate. Between clothing changes, you can wear clogs and jogging clothes on the barn aisle.

Separate Equipment

For each barn area, have your own driving boards, paddles, shovels, brooms, etc. ready. Different colors make it easy to assign them to different animal groups.

Hand Hygiene

Before switching from one age group to another in the barn, wash and disinfect your hands thoroughly. Alternatively, you can use new disposable gloves for each animal group.

Clean Vaccination and Castration Instruments

Change vaccination needles by batch when vaccinating. Clean and boil reusable vaccination instruments after each use. Also, change castration scalpels after each litter.

Organized Animal Flow

To minimize germ spread, do not house animals from different age groups together in a pen or stall. This applies to caretakers as well. They should not remain in the barn and should be housed with the next youngest group of animals.

Timely Separation of Sick Animals

Sick animals should be separated promptly. In the separation pen, pigs should have a soft surface, access to food and water, and visual contact with their peers. Animals with a poor prognosis should be euthanized promptly. Document the treatment measures implemented on-site on a treatment plan.

Use of Overshoes

Visit pens with sick animals at the end of the barn tour. Before entering the pen, change your footwear or wear overshoe covers over your boots, which should be disposed of immediately afterward.

Disposal of Carcasses

Dead animals should be collected at the end of the barn inspection. It is recommended to place an overshoe cover over the snout of the dead pig beforehand to prevent any liquids from leaking. For a hygienic handover to the disposal area, establish a specific transfer point. Thoroughly clean and disinfect the carcass cart afterward. The bucket for piglet carcasses is easier to keep clean if lined with a cornstarch bag.