Fertrell Blog

The majority of our common pig breeds have almost less hair than I do, so skin conditions make themselves fairly apparent. This is good, because we want to address any skin issues that arise as soon as possible. The pig’s skin is an important barrier to the outside world, so we want to maintain its integrity and prevent infections.

The most commonly seen skin condition on pigs is plain old dry skin. Although a pig’s skin does naturally trend towards the dry side, large amounts of flaky skin could be a sign of a diet that is too low in fat. Ideally, you want your pig’s diet to be about 5% fat, as this helps to maintain a healthy skin and barrier to the outside world. If you are using whole roasted soybeans as protein source in your ration, then you will likely have enough fat. If you are using soymeal or oilseed meals as the protein source in your ration, you will probably need to add oil to get the fat to 5%.

Flaky, damaged skin may also occur after high sun exposure, especially on pale breeds such as Yorkshires or crossbreeds common in modern swine facilities. The skin will also be reddened (if the breed is pale) and possibly blistered.

Preventing sunburn can be difficult, particularly in a pastured system, but providing sufficient wallows and shade will go a long way. If possible, do not get stockers from indoor housing and put them in an outdoor setting with unlimited access to sunlight. It is best to limit their access to sunlight until they are more accustomed to sun exposure. Start by just giving them outdoor access in the morning and evening, and slowly increase their exposure from there.

If your pigs do get sunburned, get them out of the sun. Cool them with water, and provide electrolytes in their water. If the sunburned animal is a breeding age gilt or sow, make sure she is not mounted until she is recovered. A more serious common swine skin condition is mange. This is typically a condition called “Sarcoptic mange,” and it is actually an infestation of the skin by small mites. The disease causes skin lesions, which are most apparent behind the ears. If the pig develops an allergic reaction to the mites, then small, itchy pimples may cover its body. You will observe the pigs itching intensely, using even your legs as scratching posts.

As mange can negatively affect weight gains and feed conversion, it should be prevented from taking hold in the herd. The first line of defense is prevention. Mange is very contagious, so preventing infected animals from entering the herd is important. If an infection does take hold, then the environment and the animal will have to be treated.

Pens with infected animals should be vacated, all the bedding removed, and the entirety of the pen disinfected with a bleach solution. This pen should be left to dry and kept empty for 5 days. If penned outside in a rotational system, rotate the pigs out of that paddock and treat housing and feeders with a bleach solution.

For treatment of the animal, ivermectin and other conventional anti-parasitic medications are listed for swine mites. If you are aiming to keep the animal certified Organic, or only use treatments allowed in Organic systems, then there are spray options, such as Pyganic or Dr. Sarah’s De-Lice and Mange Spray.

These are some of the common skin conditions seen in swine, however there are other relatively common and potentially more serious skin conditions which swine suffer from. These include “greasy pig” (exudative epidermitis) and erysipelas. If you suspect your swine are suffering from a serious condition, contact your veterinarian.

As serious as swine skin health may be, you can keep your pigs smooth and disease free. With a little conscious care, you can keep your pig’s skin in good condition, right up to the pork rind pot.