Air Filtration in Pig Farm Nursery Housing – A Comprehensive Guide

Posted by Clean-Link

On March 12, 2025

Comments Off

Nursery housing is a vital component of pig farming, designed specifically for weaned piglets aged 4-8 weeks and weighing 5-20 kg. This transitional phase prepares piglets for the fattening stage by helping them adapt from mother’s milk to solid feed.

However, piglets at this stage have underdeveloped immune systems, making them highly susceptible to diseases, especially in regions like Southeast Asia where African Swine Fever (ASF) is a persistent threat.

Air filtration in pig farm nursery housing has emerged as an essential tool to protect these vulnerable animals, ensuring a clean and controlled environment that promotes health and growth.

In this guide, we explore the critical role of air filtration, the best systems for nursery housing, and the tangible benefits it offers to pig farmers, particularly in high-risk areas such as Vietnam and Thailand.

What is Nursery Housing?

Nursery housing, also referred to as weaner or piglet nursery units, is a specialized facility in pig farms where weaned piglets are reared post-weaning.

Typically located approximately 250 meters from farrowing sheds to minimize disease transmission (Pig Farming Guide, 2021)), these units require precise environmental control.
The ideal temperature range is 25-28°C, with humidity maintained at 50-60% to prevent piglets from experiencing chills or overheating (Farm Health Online, FAO Guidelines).
Flooring is commonly made of plastic slats to facilitate manure removal, and each piglet is provided with about 0.3-0.5 m² of space in group rearing setups.

The primary challenge in nursery housing is the piglets’ immature immune systems, which leave them vulnerable to respiratory diseases like Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) and airborne pathogens such as ASF.

In Southeast Asia’s hot and humid climate, these risks are amplified, underscoring the importance of air filtration in pig farm nursery housing.

The Role of Air Filtration in Nursery Housing

Air filtration in pig farm nursery housing serves as a frontline defense against disease transmission by capturing dust, pathogens, and aerosols that can harm piglets.

These systems work through mechanisms like interception, impaction, and diffusion to remove harmful particles from the air. Research from the Swine Health Information Center (2024) demonstrates that efficient air filtration can reduce disease incidence by up to 40%, significantly lowering the need for veterinary interventions and improving piglet respiratory health.

Beyond disease prevention, air filtration maintains optimal environmental conditions—25-28°C temperature and 50-60% humidity—preventing the excessive moisture that fosters pathogen growth. This is particularly crucial in Southeast Asia, where high humidity and temperatures create ideal conditions for diseases like ASF to spread.

Integrating air filtration systems is crucial for pig farm nursery housing, helping farmers protect their herds and maintain a stable production cycle.

Suitable Air Filtration Systems for Nursery Housing

Air Filtration in Pig Farm Nursery Housing – A Comprehensive Guide

To maximize the benefits of air filtration in pig farm nursery housing, farmers should select systems tailored to the unique needs of weaned piglets and regional climate challenges.

Types of Filters

HEPA Filters: High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters capture 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, making them ideal for high-biosecurity settings. A minimum MERV 16 rating is recommended for effective pathogen control .
V-Bank Filters: Compact V-bank filters offer robust performance with a high airflow capacity of 3400 m³/h and durability in extreme conditions (up to 70°C and 100% humidity). These filters are well-suited for Southeast Asia’s climate.
Pre-Filters: Cost-effective paper frame pleated filters, available in 22/44/90mm thicknesses, remove larger particles and extend the lifespan of downstream HEPA filters. These are particularly useful for small-scale farms in Southeast Asia looking to optimize budgets.

System Design

Positive Pressure Ventilation: This design maintains higher internal air pressure than the outside environment, preventing unfiltered air and pathogens from entering. It’s especially effective against airborne threats like ASF.
Heat Exchange Functionality: Integrated heat exchangers recover heat from exhaust air, reducing energy costs. This feature is a game-changer in Southeast Asia’s hot, humid seasons, such as Vietnam’s rainy period.

Clean-Link Air Filtration Solutions for Swine Farms Against ASF

Clean-Link offers a range of high-performance air filtration products designed for pig farms in Southeast Asia. Our products are designed to enhance animal health and boost production efficiency.

G4/MERV8 Filter Media

Laminated Filter Media

G4/MERV8 Filter

Cardboard Frame Panel Filter

F9-H10/MERV14-15

V-Bank Compact Filter

Partnerships with Major Livestock Brands Alongside Clean-Link

Clean-Link proudly collaborates with leading livestock brands in China’s pig farming industry, delivering cutting-edge air filtration solutions to enhance biosecurity and productivity.

These partnerships leverage advanced technologies, such as HEPA and V-bank filters, to combat diseases like African Swine Fever (ASF) effectively.

Leading Air Filtration Solutions Provider for China’s Pig Farming Industry

Clean-Link stands as a premier air filtration solutions provider for China’s pig farming industry, delivering innovative and reliable systems tailored to enhance biosecurity and animal health.

With a strong focus on combating diseases like African Swine Fever (ASF), our advanced filtration technologies, including HEPA and V-bank filters, ensure cleaner air and improved farm productivity.

Air filtration in swine pig farming industry 1

Air filtration in swine pig farming industry

Air filtration in swine pig farming industry 2

Clean-Link’s Manufacturing Excellence

Clean-Link boasts state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities, ensuring the highest quality air filtration solutions for the pig farming industry.

Our advanced factories are equipped with cutting-edge technology to produce HEPA filters, V-bank compact filters, and all kind of filter media, meeting stringent biosecurity standards.

air filter manufacturing site and equipment 6

air filter manufacturing site and equipment

Benefits of Air Filtration in Nursery Housing

Investing in air filtration in pig farm nursery housing delivers multiple advantages, from health improvements to financial savings.

Disease Prevention

Air filtration reduces the risk of respiratory diseases like PRRS by up to 40% and mitigates ASF transmission (PMC PRRS Study, 2018). By filtering out airborne pathogens, it creates a safer environment for piglets with limited immunity.

Enhanced Piglet Health and Growth

Cleaner air improves respiratory health, boosting piglet growth rates by 5-10% and feed efficiency by 8-15% (PMC Feed Efficiency Study, 2017). Healthier piglets also experience lower mortality rates, ensuring more reach the fattening stage.

Cost Savings

Air filtration reduces veterinary costs by minimizing disease outbreaks.

For a farm with 1,000 piglets, annual savings can range from $5,000 to $10,000 in veterinary costs and $4,000 to $7,500 in feed expenses due to improved efficiency (Holtkamp et al., 2013, Journal of Swine Health and Production).

Energy Efficiency

Systems with heat exchange capabilities lower energy consumption, making air filtration in pig farm nursery housing cost-effective even for resource-limited farms. This is particularly valuable in Southeast Asia’s energy-intensive climates.

Conclusion

Air filtration in pig farm nursery housing is more than an optional upgrade—it’s a necessity for modern pig farming, particularly in disease-prone regions like Southeast Asia.

These systems safeguard piglet health, promote growth, and generate significant cost savings by maintaining clean air, controlling environmental conditions, and reducing pathogen exposure.

For farmers looking to secure their operations against ASF and other threats, adopting advanced air filtration technologies is a smart, sustainable investment.

Adopt Efficient Filters for Optimal Protection in Nursery Housing

Ready to enhance the health and productivity of your pig farm nursery housing with advanced air filtration systems?

Don’t let diseases like ASF compromise your herd—take action now! Contact our expert team at Clean-Link for a free quote tailored to your nursery housing needs.

Air Filtration Products

Air Filtration Applications

Blog