12/06/2026
As a pig farmer, keeping a close eye on your herd's manure is one of the easiest and most effective ways to monitor their health.
Changes in consistency, color, or content can give you an early warning about illness, dietary issues, or stress long before the animals show outward symptoms.
Here are 5 critical things your pigs' poo is trying to tell you:
1. "I'm perfectly healthy!" (Normal F***s)
Before you can spot a problem, you need to know what ideal manure looks like.
The Look: Normal pig manure should be formed, firm but slightly soft, and typically a greenish-brown to dark brown color (depending on their exact diet).
The Message: The digestive system is functioning smoothly, the feed formulation is correct, and the pig is properly hydrated.
2. "I'm dehydrated or lacking fiber." (Hard, Pellet-like Poo)
If you notice the manure is exceptionally hard, dry, or broken into small, dense pellets (resembling sheep droppings), you have a hydration or dietary issue.
The Look: Small, dry, dark lumps that break apart easily into dust.
The Message: The pigs are likely not getting enough water, which is common if water lines are blocked, frozen, or the flow rate is too low. It can also happen in pregnant sows.
if their gestation diet lacks sufficient fiber, leading to constipation.
3. "We have a parasite problem." (Visible Worms or Mucus)
Internal parasites are a constant battle in pig farming, and the manure is often the first place they reveal themselves.
The Look: You might see actual worms (like large roundworms) wriggling in fresh manure, or the poo may be coated in a slimy, clear-to-white mucus.
The Message: The herd needs a deworming treatment. Mucus indicates that the lining of the gut is irritated and inflamed, often because worms or bacteria are damaging the intestinal wall.
4. "There is an infection or rapid diet change." (Watery Diarrhea / Scours)
Loose, watery, or unformed stools are a major red flag, especially in piglets and newly weaned growers.
The Look: Fluid, puddle-like, or splattered manure. Colors can range from yellowish-green to grey.
The Message: This usually points to a bacterial or viral infection (such as E. coli, Salmonella, or Rotavirus) or a sudden, stressful change in feed that has upset their hindgut bacteria.
Quick action is needed here to prevent severe dehydration and death.
5. "I have a stomach ulcer or severe gut infection." (Black or Bloody Poo)
This is a critical emergency signal that requires immediate veterinary attention.
The Look: Manure that is completely black and tarry (melena) or contains bright red, fresh blood.
The Message: Dark, tarry stool means there is bleeding high up in the digestive tract—most commonly a gastric ulcer, which is often triggered by finely ground feed or high stress.
Bright red blood means the bleeding is happening lower down in the intestines, which could indicate a severe disease like Swine Dysentery or Ileitis (Lawsonia intracellularis).
💡 Farmer's Tip: Make "manure scoring" a part of your daily walkthrough.
Catching a shift from normal stools to loose or dry stools 24 hours early can save you significant time, money, and animal loss.
