Higher preweaning mortality in free farrowing pens compared with farrowing crates in three commercial pig farms

Disinfection of farrowing pens.

The author presents details on the cleaning and disinfection of specialised farrowing accommodation within an intensive pig unit. Procedures are described for use in two quite different sets of circumstances, as follows: in the event of the occurrence of one of the major notifiable epizootic diseases; routine cleaning and disinfection as part of normal management procedures. In the former case,...

Productivity and Behavior of Sows in Level vs. Sloped Farrowing Pens and Crates

Forty crossbred sows were used in 10 blocks to determine the effects of farrowing pen type and degree of slope on sow-litter performance and behavior. The two pen types were a farrowing pen (2.15 m sow area plus 2.15 x 3 5 m creep area) and a farrowing crate (1.5 x 2.15 m). The two slopes evaluated were level (0% slope) and 8% slope. To collect behavioral data, a sample of litters was videotape...

Confinement of lactating sows in crates for 4 days after farrowing reduces piglet mortality.

To reduce mortality among suckling piglets, lactating sows are traditionally housed in farrowing crates. Alternatively, lactating sows can be housed in farrowing pens where the sow is loose to ensure more behavioural freedom and consequently a better welfare for the sow, although under commercial conditions, farrowing pens have been associated with increased piglet mortality. Most suckling pigl...

A comparison of sow and piglet behaviour and productivity in the UMB farrowing pen compared to conventional farrowing crates Progress Report

In recent years there has been a growing interest in the standard of farrowing accommodation for commercial sows in Australia and in many countries around the world. Conventional farrowing crates are used extensively in the pork industry due to the general belief that piglet mortality and morbidity due to accidental crushing by the sow is reduced (Weary et al. 1996). However, restraining the so...

Successful farrowing in sows