Pig flow: understanding production systems.
Piglets are typically weaned at about 21 days of age and begin their growth journey through one of three main systems:
Click dots below to Learn More
4 weeks - 6 Months
10 weeks - 6 Months
4-10 Weeks
Nursery Farm
Finishing Farm
Wean-to-Finish
Finish Farm (Growth - Finish) Receives pigs as feeders from nusery and raises them to market weight, focusing on efficient growth and feed use. Duration on Farm: ~16-18 Weeks
Nursery Farm Receives pigs right after weaning. Focus is on warmth, smooth feed transition, and building strong early health. Duration on Farm: ~6-8 weeks
Wean-to-Finish Farm One site handles pigs from weaning to market—reducing transport stress and disease risk. Duration on Farm: ~22-24 Weeks
Learn more
Learn more
Learn more
nursery farm
The nursery phase is a critical adjustment period for pigs as they move from a milk-based diet to solid feed. Temperature control is essential — barns are kept warm (around 82–86°F) to help young pigs maintain body heat and energy levels. Specialized starter diets rich in milk proteins, amino acids, and vitamins support gut health and immune development. Caretakers pay close attention to feed intake, behavior, and stool consistency to identify early signs of illness or stress. Pens are cleaned frequently, and water flow is monitored to ensure hydration. A successful nursery program sets the foundation for lifetime performance — healthy pigs leaving the nursery grow faster and require fewer treatments later on.
Wean-to-finish
Wean-to-finish barns combine the nursery and finishing stages in one continuous flow. Pigs stay in the same pens from weaning (about 6 kg / 13 lbs) to market (~110–130 kg / 240–290 lbs). This reduces stress from regrouping and transport while lowering the chance of spreading disease between sites. However, it requires flexible ventilation, temperature control, and pen design to support pigs as they grow and their needs change. Caretakers manage the barn in clear phases—adjusting temperature, feeder height, and diet formulations over time. Biosecurity is especially important because a health issue can impact the same group from start to finish. Although management is more complex, wean-to-finish systems often show better overall pig performance, improved welfare, and simplified logistics compared to traditional two-site systems.
finishing farm
The grow-finish stage is where pigs gain most of their weight — typically from 25–30 kg to 130 kg (55–65 lbs up to ~290 lbs). Feed efficiency, space management, and air quality are key priorities. Diets shift from higher protein starter rations to more energy-dense grower and finisher feeds designed to maximize gain while controlling fat. Caretakers monitor feed conversion ratio (FCR), growth rate, and barn conditions daily. Automated feeding and ventilation systems help maintain consistency and reduce labor. Biosecurity remains critical to prevent late-stage disease outbreaks that can hurt growth or carcass quality. Finishing performance determines farm profitability — every extra day or pound over target affects costs, efficiency, and market readiness.
Pig flow: understanding production systems.
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Created on October 28, 2025
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Transcript
Pig flow: understanding production systems.
Piglets are typically weaned at about 21 days of age and begin their growth journey through one of three main systems:
Click dots below to Learn More
4 weeks - 6 Months
10 weeks - 6 Months
4-10 Weeks
Nursery Farm
Finishing Farm
Wean-to-Finish
Finish Farm (Growth - Finish) Receives pigs as feeders from nusery and raises them to market weight, focusing on efficient growth and feed use. Duration on Farm: ~16-18 Weeks
Nursery Farm Receives pigs right after weaning. Focus is on warmth, smooth feed transition, and building strong early health. Duration on Farm: ~6-8 weeks
Wean-to-Finish Farm One site handles pigs from weaning to market—reducing transport stress and disease risk. Duration on Farm: ~22-24 Weeks
Learn more
Learn more
Learn more
nursery farm
The nursery phase is a critical adjustment period for pigs as they move from a milk-based diet to solid feed. Temperature control is essential — barns are kept warm (around 82–86°F) to help young pigs maintain body heat and energy levels. Specialized starter diets rich in milk proteins, amino acids, and vitamins support gut health and immune development. Caretakers pay close attention to feed intake, behavior, and stool consistency to identify early signs of illness or stress. Pens are cleaned frequently, and water flow is monitored to ensure hydration. A successful nursery program sets the foundation for lifetime performance — healthy pigs leaving the nursery grow faster and require fewer treatments later on.
Wean-to-finish
Wean-to-finish barns combine the nursery and finishing stages in one continuous flow. Pigs stay in the same pens from weaning (about 6 kg / 13 lbs) to market (~110–130 kg / 240–290 lbs). This reduces stress from regrouping and transport while lowering the chance of spreading disease between sites. However, it requires flexible ventilation, temperature control, and pen design to support pigs as they grow and their needs change. Caretakers manage the barn in clear phases—adjusting temperature, feeder height, and diet formulations over time. Biosecurity is especially important because a health issue can impact the same group from start to finish. Although management is more complex, wean-to-finish systems often show better overall pig performance, improved welfare, and simplified logistics compared to traditional two-site systems.
finishing farm
The grow-finish stage is where pigs gain most of their weight — typically from 25–30 kg to 130 kg (55–65 lbs up to ~290 lbs). Feed efficiency, space management, and air quality are key priorities. Diets shift from higher protein starter rations to more energy-dense grower and finisher feeds designed to maximize gain while controlling fat. Caretakers monitor feed conversion ratio (FCR), growth rate, and barn conditions daily. Automated feeding and ventilation systems help maintain consistency and reduce labor. Biosecurity remains critical to prevent late-stage disease outbreaks that can hurt growth or carcass quality. Finishing performance determines farm profitability — every extra day or pound over target affects costs, efficiency, and market readiness.