Segmentation of sows in farrowing pens

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,...

Successful farrowing in sows

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...

The effect of farrowing environment and previous experience on the maternal behaviour of sows in indoor pens and outdoor huts.

Outdoor farrowing huts facilitate a less restricted maternal behaviour in sows compared with sows kept indoors in farrowing pens. The aim of our study was to investigate whether there are behavioural differences between primiparous sows kept outdoors in farrowing huts and indoors in pens, and whether the maternal behaviour during the second parity, when all sows were kept outdoors in farrowing ...

Floor temperature preference of sows at farrowing.

A preference testing apparatus was used to provide sows with continuous access to three identical farrowing crates, each with a different floor temperature. The concrete floor under each crate contained copper pipe through which temperature-controlled water was circulated to achieve unoccupied floor temperatures of 22 degrees C (+/-3.5), 29 degrees C (+/-1) and 35 degrees C (+/-1). Eighteen sow...