Farrowing Systems, Auditing Best Management Practices
Birth to weaning is the most critical period in the life cycle of a pig. Farrowing practices directly impact the piglets and their performance and also the future breeding herd performance. 21 farms were audited across Canada to see the best management practices in farrowing....
Gestation Housing Systems, Auditing Best Management Practices
The deadline to convert to group sow housing systems is 2024. In order to help this transition go smoothly, best management practices were looked at in 24 Canadian farms. Two thirds of the barns that have already switched over use non-competitive systems such as free-access...
Optimum Space Allowances for Nursery Pigs
Economic viability of farms and the health and welfare of animals are affected by space allowances. There is not much information available on the space allowances of nursery pigs. Maximum feed intake and average daily gain are increased when optimal space allowances are given. The...
Feeder Design Chart
Minimum feeder space width should equal the largest pigs shoulder width plus 10% as body shape varies. A chart is attached for further information of feeder depth and width measurements for different weights. Feeder Design Chart (full article)...
Identification, Treatment and Prevention of Shoulder Lesions in Sows
Long periods of lying and poor body condition after farrowing leads to more shoulder lesions. Depending on the farm and sows, 10 to 50% of sows are affected by shoulder lesions. Lying laterally puts pressure on the scapula and can restrict blood flow resulting in...
Piglet Health and Welfare in the Nursery
Weaning causes piglets to experience acute stress due to sudden changes in the social group, the environment and in diet. It often leads to aggression, weight loss, diarrhea, belly nosing and disease. Weaning in intensive farm units is much different from wild pigs. Stimulating early...
Managing Sows in Groups from Weaning: Are There Advantages?
Stall housing has received lots of criticism for being so restrictive. It has been demonstrated that sows in groups can perform as well as those in stalls, so gestation stalls are being banned in many countries. An area that needs to be studied is how...
Effect of Grouping Sows by Parity in ESF Housing on Welfare and Productivity
Grouping of sows is important to have increased fitness and freedom but if done improperly, limited access to feed and aggression can be apparent. Electronic feeding systems (ESF) decrease aggression by sows having limited feeding competition, but young sows may still have to fight for...
Assessing Daily Exposure Risk of Pig Barn Workers to Airborne Contaminants
Airborne contaminants such as gases (ammonia and hydrogen sulphide) and dust, when exposed to pig barn workers increase the risk of respiratory symptoms and health problems. Occupational exposure risk was assessed when workers were doing their daily barn tasks in swine grow-finish rooms. The exposure...
Zephyr Piglet Gun
Euthanizing piglets is an ongoing area of research as it is emotional for the workers involved. Blunt force trauma is effective if done correctly but this method could use improvement. The Zephyr Piglet Gun involves a non-penetrating captive bolt which can euthanize neonate, suckling and...