What are the advantages and benefits of using farrowing crates for sows?
A sow farrowing crate, also called a raised farrowing pen, mainly consists of a sow positioning frame, piglet enclosure, piglet warming box, slatted manure floor, sow feed trough and piglet creep feed trough. The function of the sow positioning frame is to control the sow's free activity area and lying posture; there are blocking bars between the positioning frames to prevent piglets from being crushed, stepped on or injured. The positioning frame is generally 2.1-2.3 m long, 0.6 m wide and 1.0 m high. The lowest rail of the limit frame has curved stop rods welded onto it to protect the piglets without affecting their nursing. The sow feed trough and drinker are both located at the front of the positioning frame.
The piglet enclosure provides piglets with a space for activity and prevents them from running out. Enclosures come in two types: slatted and solid-panel. The slatted type is good for ventilation and observation, but not good for disease prevention. The solid-panel type is good for disease prevention but costs more. The piglet enclosure is 2.0-2.3 m long, 1.7-1.8 m wide and 0.5-0.6 m high, with slat spacing no greater than 40 mm. The piglet creep feed trough and drinker are both installed at the rear of the enclosure, so that manure is deposited in the rear dunging area. The floor of the farrowing crate consists of plastic flooring and cast iron flooring.
Advantages of sow farrowing crates
1. A clean and hygienic farrowing environment, so sows recover quickly after giving birth and can give fuller play to their production potential.
2. It makes managing sows and piglets easier.
3. It protects piglets and prevents them from being crushed to death by the sow.
4. It provides good sanitary conditions, prevents the accumulation of living matter and the breeding of bacteria, and reduces disease among piglets.
5. It provides newborn piglets with a healthy, comfortable environment and a safe activity space.
6. It reduces farmers' input of energy and money and increases their income.
7. It raises the piglet survival rate.