The farrowing pen 2012, 2016 and 2020 Senior Researcher, M.Sc. Lisbeth Brogaard Petersen and Senior Researcher, M.Sc., Ph.D Vivi Aarestrup Moustsen

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1 The farrowing pen 2012, 2016 and 2020 Senior Researcher, M.Sc. Lisbeth Brogaard Petersen and Senior Researcher, M.Sc., Ph.D Vivi Aarestrup Moustsen Dw

2 Agenda Pens with a farrowing crate Pens with a loose housed sow Side 2

3 Standard pen crated sow 1 2 Side 3

4 Dimensions 1 2 Sow: A. Crate length 210 cm B. Trough: 40 cm from front to back E B Piglets: C. distance needed for suckling 125 cm D. 1 m 2 solid floor E. Covered creep area: 0,8 m 2 D C A Pen length: 270 cm 15 cm from crate gate to pen gate Side 4

5 Solid floor under sow and piglets slatted floor along the pen wall + covered piglet area + solid floor under sow and piglets Prefab floor elements Side 5

6 Ensure the thermal needs of the piglets Heated barn Correct regulation of heating pads, heated floor and heat lamps / panels Insulation of covered creep area equals 1½ cm of mineral wool 1 2 Give special attention to: Creep areas facing aisle pen walls and floor mats Use insulated mats Side 6

creep area equals 1½ cm of mineral wool 1 2 Give special attention to:

7 Floor cooling - not a standard recommendation 1 2 No signifikant effect Feed consumption Weaning weight Weaned per litter Passive cooling Insulated roof Active cooling Air cooling Side 7

8 Nesting, rooting and enrichment 1 2 Side 8

9 Prevent spillage 1 2 Side 9

10 Easy emptying of the trough 1 2 Tilting the trough Water vaccum cleaner Side 10

11 Working environment Easy access to pen 1 2 Saloon-gate Side 11

12 Working environment Access from 2 sides 1 2 Side 12

13 What should be improved by 2016? Even better handling of large litters (split suckling, heating of slatted floor at farrowing, better water supply..) Good hygiene Remove feed/water spillage Prevent spillage Good hygiene Avoid the need for environmental technology Improve thermal environment for the piglets Side 13

floor at farrowing, better water supply.

14 Computer-based dry feeding less spillage few troughs to empty 1 6 Side 14

15 Improved flooring system 1 6 Side 15

16 Devided pit with spot extraction 1 6 Side 16

17 Heated slatted floor at farrowing 1 6 Side 17

18 Coping with large litters 1 6 Special pen design for sows with the smallest piglets? Split suckling during entire lactation period? Side 18

19 Easy split suckling 1 6 Advantages: Space for suckling Challenges Catching piglets Requires more space Side 19

20 Prevent spreading of diarrhea 2 0 Side 20

21 Conclusion pens with crates Improved flooring Improved thermal environment Improved working environment 2012, ver. 2 Improved coping with large litters 2016 ver. 2 loose sow? Side 21

22 1 2 THEME First movers Loose housed lactating sows Chief scientist Vivi Aarestrup Moustsen, Ph.D., M.Sc., VAM@LF.DK, PRC, Housing systems Dw Side

23 The aims of loose housing of lactating sows are: THEME First movers High welfare for the sows High milk uptake for the piglets High neonatal piglet survival rate High level of motivation for staff High level of acceptance from the society So the pens build shall fulfill these aims! Side 23

24 Conditions : Ministry of Justice Housing of pigs Crates will be prohibited in the long run Transition period loose housing volontarily In 10 years 10 pct. loose housed Side 24

25 % in 10 years how do we get there? App. ¼ lactating If app.10 % loose If sows/herd 1,2 million sows crates pens 100 herds? Today we have equivalent to app. 4-6 herds Side 25

26 2012 Two tracks Loose farrowing sows no optional crate We have the pen but we need more herds and more experience Optional crate (Swing-side) The best pen today has drained/fully slatted floor Initiate the project The sow is loose as much as possible Joint project with University of Copenhagen 1 2 For both tracks we focus on: Pen- and barn design Management Climatic conditions and environmental impact Neonatal survival Level of productivity Side 26

27 Joint project Research, development and practical experience Criteria Sow Neonatal piglets Staff Project group Jyden Danish Animal Welf. Soc. DJF - AU SAAC Skjold Perstrup Hedegaard SKOV Ergofloor PRC Side 27

28 Other herds dead piglet per litter 2 or more dead piglets per litter % of the sows farrowing in crates had only 01-1 dead piglet per litter 54 % of the loose farrowing sows had only 0-1 dead piglet per litter Percentage of sows I - crate I - loose M - crate M - loose F - crate F - loose Herd - and crate/pen Side 28

29 The pen loose farrowing sow 210 cm cm Lactation width Area for defaecating Notat 0925, PRC Side 29

30 Farrowing pen with an optional crate As long as the crate is used, the sow eat and defaecate in the same position When the crate is opened, the sow continues to get fed in the trough 1 2 But the sow turns away from the trough when defaecating This pen is flexible regarding the use of the optional crate BUT we need it to be flexible to in regard to Floor/surface/slats Side Position of feed/trough 30

31 The pen with an optional crate 1 2 Lactation width 250 cm 125 cm 240 cm 260 cm App. 0,8 m 2 covered 240 cm Side 31

32 The sow is loose as much as possible - new project in collaboration with LIFE The potential impact of crate on the sow behaviour Change from loose to crate Stressmeasures Behaviour Farrowing The impact on piglet survival of using a crate Stillborn Neonatal survival until weaning The impact on staff/work conditions of an optional crate Work conditions Strategy for when to use the crate 1 2 Side 32

33 2012: Prepared for the future? - No guarantee, but there are options 1 2 Side 33

34 Two tracks Loose farrowing sows nocrate Increase in number of full scale herds, experience and knowledge The sow is loose as much as possible The influence of the crate on nest building, farrowing, and behaviour in the first few days post farrowing for sow, piglets and staff In collaboration with University of Copenhagen Both pens have been developed in regard too: Pen- and barn design Management Climatic conditions and environmental impact Neonatal piglet survival Level of productivity Side 34

35 Pen loose farrowing sow 1 6 We ve made significant progress regarding management, production level and ressource use Climatic condition eg. Floorheating and -cooling Temperature Air outlet through the floor Daily work routines eg. Nursing sows Getting familiar with the pen Feeding Automatic detection of High risc sows Piglets/litters at risk Side 35

36 The sow is loose as much as possible Completed the project (+ ku-life) 1 6 Impactofuseofcrateonsow Documentation Neonatal piglet survival Same level as in crates Piglet growth until weaning As in loose housing Pendesign Nesting material High level of hygiene Recommended strategy for use of crate Before farrowing During farrowing After farrowing Side 36

37 : You can choose between two tracks Side 37

38 2020 To tracks Loose farrowing sows Gucci 2 0 The sow is loose as much as possible Standard Both pens are optimized in regard to: Pen- and barn design Management Climatic conditions and environmental impact Neonatal piglet survival Level of productivity Side 38

39 THEME First movers :Pens for loose lactating sows are competable with crate-systems THEME First movers Side 39

40 Loose lactating sows Management THEME First movers No crate Premium price Optional crate New pen Competitive alternatives to crates Production THEME First movers Side 40

41 Can you prepare your farrowing unit to the future when future is loose housing? Crate No No - Loose optional (No) Yes Yes Loose (Yes) (Yes) Yes THEME Stay ahead Side 41

42 Project: 35 weaned piglets per sow Journalnr D Journalnr U Project: Farrowing pens for loose sows Journalnr D Journalnr D Side 42

TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENTS FOR PIGS

TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENTS FOR PIGS DEFINITIONS OF AMBIENT TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENTS FOR PIGS: A REVIEW Mark L. Lorschy SUMMARY Pigs, like all animals, have an ability to live in a variety of thermal environments.