106.Implantation of sows in the farrowing unit. Traditional and modern farrowing buildings

Question 1

Implantation in the farrowing units?

Answer 1

Farrowing unit

• Fill the farrowing unit 4-7 days before expected term
• Most expensive building at the pig farm
• “All in” after previous weaning is complete, “all out”, cleaning, waiting
• Sow should be cleaned before getting here, it is important to prevent any infection presence/spread, fatal

for production

• Good to include straw as it allows the sow to naturally prepare a “nest”
• Important to have all optimal conditions (light, heat, etc.)
• Provide light digestible feed in small dosages, water supply is very important
• Daily check of manure to detect if there is any metabolic problem

Question 2

Farrowing unit Modern farm?

Answer 2

Farrowing unit

• Pig farrowing crates are metal crates within a pen where pregnant sows are placed prior to giving birth.

Farrowing crates prevent the sows from turning around and only allow them to move a little forwards and

backwards

• Alongside the farrowing crate, within the pen, there is a “creep area” for the sow’s piglets. The piglets are able

to reach the sow’s teats to suckle but she is prevented from being able to clean or interact with them

• Farrowing crates ensure that piglets survive. The mortality rate for piglets in open farrowing areas is 25-30%

versus a 6-8% mortality rate in farrowing crates

• Using heat mats also keeps piglets safe from their large-bodied mothers by providing a gently warm resting

area to lie on when not nursing

• They minimize aggression and competition during feeding and mixing and allow sows to express normal

behaviour, therefore avoiding stress and anxiety which could cause the animal to abort

• It also makes labour easier for farmer when farrowing as each sow is separated and not in a group

Question 3

Breeding sows in free range?

Answer 3

Breeding sows in free range

• Regarding animal welfare, it is more natural to let the sow roam freely
• Cheaper, no need for the expensive individual farrowing units
• Stress levels among sows can be prevented to a considerable degree. Sows can be helped to feel more at

ease in group housing. Gilts can be ‘trained’ to understand the concept of group housing and feeding

stations, so they are fully acquainted to the zones by the time they are ready for it

• Being able to walk around during the pregnancy, the animals are in a better shape for farrowing
• Group housing with chip ??
• Traditional and modern farrowing cages, both can be good