What are the design requirements for lactating piglet pens?

When designing pens for lactating piglets, it is necessary to consider both their common needs and their differences, and to meet the special requirements of feeding management at this stage, namely: sows and piglets eat different feeds; sows and piglets have different requirements for ambient temperature; and piglets must be protected from being crushed or stepped on by the sow.

Based on practical experience, a relatively ideal farrowing and lactating barn is divided into three parts:

First, the sow farrowing crate: the function of the sow farrowing crate is to restrict the sow from turning around and moving backward. The lower part of the crate is blocked by steel pipes to prevent the sow from crushing the piglets when she lies down. The dimensions of the crate are generally: 2-2.1 m long, 0.6-0.65 m wide, and 1 m high. A sow trough and drinker are installed at the front of the crate.

Second, the lactating piglet activity area: it is enclosed on all sides by a fence 0.45 m-0.5 m high, within which the piglets move about, suckle, and drink. A creep feed trough and drinker are installed in the activity area.

Third, the piglet warming box: the purpose of the piglet warming box is local heating to meet the piglets' temperature requirements. The warming box can be made of wooden boards or concrete, etc., with dimensions: 1 m long, 0.6 m high, and 0.6 m wide. A small door is left on one side of the box near the ground for the piglets to enter and exit, and the dimensions of the small door are: 0.3 m high and 0.2 m wide. For local heating, infrared light bulbs or electric heating plates can be used. If these conditions are not available, straw can also be spread on the pig bed, which both keeps them warm and prevents dampness.