Use of materials for avoiding tail biting
In many cases, the use of materials that lessen the piglets' boredom helps to control the problem.
Page 35 of articles about management
Do we make the most of the space in our farrowing quarters?
It is common to see that there are many farms on which the gestation of the sows entered in the farrowing quarters is not correctly managed. How much space / batch would be losing a farm that enters systematically a 10% of sows / batch one week before than the appropriate date?
Management factors associated with sow reproductive performance after weaning
In conclusion, some management practices, such as feeding strategy of breeding gilts, housing conditions of sows...have an influence on the outcome of reproductive parameters.
Quick identification of the different batches of sows
Each batch of sows is identified with a different colour, so we will only have to look at the colour of the pegs
Providing water to pregnant sows
With a water tank above the pregnant sows cages we ensure their water supply.
Knowing the age of the replacement gilts by ear tagging a gilt in the group
By ear tagging a gilt in the group with its birth date we will always know the age of the replacement gilts.
Systems for split-nursing on the farm
There are many home-made options that allow us to carry out this so important technique on our farms.
Use of special diets during the weaning-to-service interval
The weaning-to-service interval is a short but vital period regarding the productivity of the sow.
Handling of the pan feeders and the lamps in the farrowing pens
Having a piglet feeder and a lamp in each farrowing pen avoids the annoying moving of these items between rooms and sometimes between buildings.
Nature is wise II
In a system with 2.35 farrowings/sow/year, more than 14 piglets born per farrowing, more than 11 weaned piglets/farrowing and around 1% of losses at weaning; what can we do to improve this?
Dealing with PRRSv-positive breeding herds
Is the right strategy to get a farm stable, that is, control clinical signs reducing the economic impact of the disease; or should a farm adopt strategies to go “negative”? As for other questions in the epidemiological field, our answer is “it depends”.
Farrowing interval: how does it affect productivity?
The farrowing interval is one of the production parameters more commonly used as an indicator of the production efficiency of a farm.
Space in the farrowing quarters
Knowing how to make the most of space in our farrowing rooms is a key point, not only when using foster sows, but also for increasing the age at weaning. The farrowing pen is the most expensive pen at the farm, and we must obtain the maximum possible efficiency out of it.
Main problems with pregnant sows housed in groups (II)
This article suggests some solutions to the main problems encountered in pregnancies with group housing.
Animal welfare in the fattening stage
This trick consists in offering cheap manipulable materials that satisfy the pigs' needs.
Split suckling
This video by BPEX explains the split suckling technique, which we can use to make sure that the smallest piglets have access to colostrum during their first 6 hours of life.