HOUSING & EQUIPMENT ▶▶▶


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One way to sup- ply feed to sows is by installing a free access smart feeder.


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Choosing a floor type A slatted floor is more expensive (there are two floors after all) than a solid concrete floor. During the project analysis, it is a great idea to calculate


the two options: 100% or partially slatted. If the design is created according to sow needs while allowing different zones in the pens (rest, feeding, moving), it is possible to have clean animals with a completely concrete floor.


Required spacing for sows and gilts In some countries/states, the regulations for re- quired space per animal must be followed. In oth- ers, guidelines exist for a minimum spacing per an-


imal. In that case, producers have more freedom. In Canada, for example, the minimum space required per sow in mixed group housing is 1.7m2


on a partially slatted floor. Choosing


such a surface brings more inconvenience vs. a bigger sur- face area; however, it reduces the retrofit costs by dozens of dollars/sow.


Determining alley width Alley width for transit animals and employees needs to be considered. This is the surface area that needs to be built in the case of a new construction or will be deducted from the allowed surface for sows in the case of a retrofit. Producers often have to compromise between working space and conversion cost. In a 60m long building with two alleys, this is tens of thou- sands of dollars difference between a 1m alley and a larger one. Reflection is needed on the staff movements, on the sows, on heat detection crates for boars, on taking dead animals out. There is a cost for this alley. When taking sows in or out of their pens, many animals will be moving at the same time. Should sows be able to turn around in the alley or not at all?


12 ▶ PIG PROGRESS | Volume 37, No. 4, 2021


Keeping the alley Is a front alley necessary? This question is even more impor- tant if the decision was made to install electronic feeders in farrowing. In the US, front alleys are common. It is wise to consider that producers will need to get into the farrowing pens to reach the piglets, to inject sows or to clean troughs. A veterinarian can give clear advice on this.


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Choosing farrowing crate surfaces In the case of new constructions or expansion, pro- ducers opt for larger farrowing crates. That means more investment right away. In the last few years,


increased prolificacy has been observed in terms of piglets born alive, but not in terms of weaned piglets. Lifting/hydrau- lic crates can be an interesting solution to lower pre-weaning mortality. However, the cost for this technology is very high. If the producer has above average pre-weaning mortality, the option can be considered.


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Mixing sows and gilts? Ideally primiparous animals should always be to- gether when placing in groups. According to regu- lations, the spacing requirement for gilts is differ-


ent than for sows. It is important to closely consider what regulations allow and the advantages/disadvantages of mixing parities.


Choosing a feeding system


Evaluating the feeding systems Initial installation costs are vastly different between


systems. A floor feeding system is less expensive than an Electronic Sow Feeding (ESF) system, for example. There are operational costs associated with every option. The Gestal 3G is a versatile option. Being a free access smart feeder, it fol- lows animal welfare requirements without known ESF side ef- fects, like additional feed costs, frequent aggression between sows, gilt training and herd performance loss associated with the lack of control on intake.


FARROWING The front alley in farrowing rooms?


Eliminating the alley If a producer decides to add farrowing crates, an


option is to eliminate the front alley. That is a common prac- tice in Europe, where producers often do not have this avail- able space yet still have impressive herd performance. The saved area can represent a large amount of money in the sit- uation of a farm expansion or can allow installation of big- ger farrowing crates in the case of keeping the same herd inventory.


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