Although it is often overlooked, lighting is an important part of pig management. It can directly influence a pig’s welfare and performance, and it should be adapted in all stages of a pig house for the best results.
In the farrowing stage, optimal lighting can stimulate the biological clock and biorhythm to make the pigs feel and perform better. Besides that, good lighting improves fertility for the next gestation.
A good light climate in the farrowing stage:
In the service area, correct lighting plays a major role in stimulating sow fertility. Light stimulation of the sows can also help to reduce the wean-to-serve interval. When the sows are optimally stimulated, their production results will increase, enabling optimised performances during farrowing.
Correct lighting in the service area:
Environmental adaption is of key importance in the gestation stage. Good sight is needed to realise this. A good light climate enables sows to see better so they can recognise their environment. This makes it easier for them to find feed and water and to recognise other sows. As a result, the sows are calmer, which is crucial during this production phase.
Early feed intake is of vital importance to reduce or even prevent weaning dips in the nursery stage. An optimal light climate enables the piglets to explore their environment better, so they can find their feed and water more easily. In this way, a faster feed intake post-weaning can be realised, resulting in an increased feed intake. This will contribute to healthy growers and an optimal feed conversion rate.
An optimal light climate in the nursery stage:
Since correct lighting improves the finishers’ sight, it can stimulate feed intake but also prevent undesirable behaviour. Better sight also makes the finishers feel more comfortable in their pens and with their pen-mates.
Correct lighting during the finishing stage:
The rearing phase is one of the most important stages in a sow’s life. All environmental factors have to be just right. Light is a very important stimulator of the young gilts. Stimulating gilts through light is essential for proper and uniform sexual maturation and correct socialisation. In addition, good lighting improves the gilts’ vision, which prevents them from being startled. This is beneficial during gestation and farrowing in particular.
An optimal light climate in the rearing phase:
Since light has a strong influence on pig welfare and performance, it is important to ensure an optimal light climate in a pig house.
Applying the correct light intensity and applying a correct photoperiod in every phase of the pig’s life, can significantly improve pig performance.