Pig Pit Gases

Question 1

What are pit gases of pigs?

Answer 1

Water/humidity, methane, ammonia, CO2

Question 2

What is the relative humidity target for a pig farm?

Answer 2

40-60%

Question 3

Where does water and humidity of a pig farm come from?

Answer 3

Heaters, outside air, pig respiration

Question 4

If there is too much water/humidity on the farm, how are the pigs affected?

Answer 4

Building/equipment deterioration, improves pathogen survival

Question 5

If water/humidity on a farm is decreased, how are the pigs affected?

Answer 5

More dust, thicker ciliary mucous = not as effective at removing pathogens in airways

Question 6

What gases are lighter than air?

Answer 6

Methane and ammonia

Question 7

Odorless flammable gas produced in small amounts by pigs

Answer 7

Methane

Question 8

What gas has a sharp odor and causes irritation of the resp tract and eyes at high levels?

Answer 8

Ammonia

Question 9

Which gas causes headaches, dizziness, and trouble breathing when overproduced?

Answer 9

CO2

Question 10

What is an indicator of “building oxygenation”?

Answer 10

CO2

Question 11

What is the CO2 level of outside air?

Answer 11

300ppm

Question 12

What are normal CO2 levels of a pig farm?

Answer 12

<2000-2500ppm

Question 13

What are sources of ammonia?

Answer 13

Urine and feces esp as they dry

Question 14

What are normal levels of ammonia in a pig farm?

Answer 14

<11-15ppm

Question 15

What gas increases w/malfunctioning heaters

Answer 15

Carbon monoxide

Question 16

Which age of pigs are most susceptible to carbon monoxide poisoning and why?

Answer 16

Fetal hemoglobin affinity is higher than adults

Question 17

What is normal CO levels on a pig farm?

Answer 17

<50ppm

Question 18

Highly toxic gas released from manure pits during agitation

Answer 18

Hydrogen sulfide

Question 19

Which gas smells like rotten eggs, but is deadly at levels lower than what we can smell?

Answer 19

Hydrogen sulfide