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Pigs on straw litter is now possible due to a new pen system that requires much less straw.
Deep litter is now unknown in pig production. However, due to ammonia evaporation and the need for large quantities of straw, the deep litter system is a thing of the past.
This new pen system is based on special ventilation and a straw mat in which moisture is constantly removed by ventilation and the ammonia is retained in the mat.
Due to the ventilation process, the mat remains flat. As there is only a need for straw litter in the wet areas of the pig pen, much less straw litter is required than in traditional deep litter systems.
This new system – Xaletto – has been approved as a two-star New Product exhibit at Agromek 2018 where it will be presented by Big Dutchman A/S.
Big Dutchman states that the ventilation principle, which removes moisture from the straw mat, is already known from poultry houses and that the new system avoids odour problems as there is no slurry.
This new pen system can be established at lower costs than that which are required in traditional pens as slurry tanks and slurry storage no longer need to be established. However, this is dependent on the condition that establishment of ventilation, straw spreading and removal of the straw system does not exceed the cost savings arising from not having a manure system and slurry storage.
At the same time, the pigs will have access to occupational and rooting material without having to add this separately.
Xaletto can be applied for piglets and porkers in existing, renovated or new pig pens.
Agromek - 17 October 2018
