Effects of Stall Width and Sow Size on Behaviour of Gestating Sows
In North America, gestation stalls are usually the same size within a farm even though body weights in gestating sows vary (150 kg to 350 kg). Different sizes of stalls are recommended by the Code of Practice to accommodate the different sized sows but proper stall size is not well defined. Behaviour was monitored on sows of different sizes in different sized stalls. As the stall width decreased, sows spent more time sitting and less time standing and their udders more frequently extended into the adjacent stall. Stall width requirements were based off of less than 50% of lateral lying with udder extension. For small sows and gilts, 65 cm is adequate but if larger sows are in the stall throughout their gestation a 70 cm stall is required.
Effects of Stall Width and Sow Size on Behaviour of Gestating Sows (full article)
