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An Alternative to stalls and tethers, a straw-based housing system for dry sows using a computerised sow feeder

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 November 2017

Paul Smith
Affiliation:
ADAS/MAFF, 122a Thorpe Road, Norwich, NR1 1RN
N Gorman
Affiliation:
Norfolk College of Agriculture, Easton Norwich, NR9 5DX
J Payne
Affiliation:
Norfolk College of Agriculture, Easton Norwich, NR9 5DX
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Extract

Many existing sow stall and tether houses, besides not conforming with the Pig Welfare Code are thermally inadequate and require major alterations. A possible alternative system, comprising loose-housed sows with rations allocated from an electronic sow feeder was evaluated.

A building comprising single-skin concrete blocks and insulated roof originally housed 74 dry sows in stalls bedded with straw. The building was gutted and re-fitted to accommodate loose-housed sows. Minimal repairs were undertaken on the concrete floor, and some new blockwork was erected, deep straw was incorporated into the new lying areas.

Type
Pig Production
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Production 1986

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