News14.09.2012 Wellness in a Farrowing StableAt the moment everyone is talking about the topic of wellness in farrowing stables. It's very important to create the
right climate for all animals in the section (the sow and the piglets). This is nothing new to us. We're just amazed that it has taken so many years to become an important subject. There is more to a comfort zone than just a cover over the nests. The best nest isn't worth anything if the so called "nose ventilation" spills too much air over the trough edge into the nest. This includes the proper air supply to sows and piglets, which provides sufficient air but does not cause a draft. Here the supply air should be supplied to the breathing area of the sows and then be lead slowly to the piglets. As you see we have an
"and" principle, not an "or". Everything has to fit together, the hydraulic and the warm water grates and the cover and the supply air and the controls. Example of controlling of the room and the nest area: Here you cannot replace an "and" with an "or". Unfortunately we still find that these factors are not being considered in farrowing stables. The results: - improper resting behaviour - heat stress for the sows - increased energy costs for heating - increased energy costs for ventilation - poor milk yield from sows (too hot, lower feed intake) - animal loss caused by crushing Example: Improper resting behaviour due to excessive floor heat Example: A small excerpt from correct hydraulics
If all criteria are met then the piglets will feel comfortable in the stable and not only the sows. You can also find some information on the subject in our Media Center. In the attached video you can see an example of how it can look with a cover without an infra-red lamp. There is also a presentation in PDF format in the appendix to this news. This is how proper resting behaviour in the stable looks:
So wellness in the farrowing stable only works with "and" not with "or". Your hdt + konzept.team |