Blog: learning more about different farrowing pen designs

It is incredibly interesting to see how designs can range from very simplistic to complex and intricate, and how they are tailored to each farm.

What has also been evident is the benefit of farmers talking to each other about their own experiences with loose lactation systems, most importantly about what worked and what didn’t. Learning from each other and sharing knowledge will help the pig industry evolve, rather than stall, when these types of system are implemented in the future.

I’ve also been on farm learning about the Nijenkamp MultiFarrow® pen. This is a temporary crate system in which the gates are raised upwards, rather than swinging open; this enables sows to more freely as they aren’t restricted on one side of the pen. Before working with this system, I thought it would be difficult to move the sow into place and lower a gate from above to confine her. However, this was not the case, and it was actually very easy to confine the sow and to open the pen again. 

In April, I also attended the British Society of Animal Science (BSAS) conference in Nottingham. It was great to hear about new and upcoming research and to network with a wide range of academics and find out about their work supporting the pig industry.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be getting out on farm again, and I will have my first opportunity to work with a full free farrowing system – PigSAFE. I’ll also be at the British Pig & Poultry Fair in May, which I’m really looking forward to – hope to see you there!

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