Related projects
- Antibiotic-free pigs (EIP project)
- ConnectingPigs (EIP project)
- PigID: More efficient pig farm management (VLAIO)
- Wave: WAter consumption in livestock farming (Blue deal)
Sow herd
The sow herd consists of 85 sows divided into 7 groups. We aim to regularly introduce new gilts in each group so that we maintain a good ratio of young and old sows. We work with Topigs-20 sows because they have good mothering characteristics and also give enough piglets per litter. This is important in connection with the trials we want to set up with these piglets. For reproduction we always use the semen of the same Piétrain boar so that we have as little difference as possible in the genetics of the piglets. This only changes if tests require it. The semen is always purchased.
Deck department
We have 2 times 15 stalls where we house the newly weaned sows and returning sows up to 4 weeks after mating (scanning). Lights are placed above the sows' heads so that the sows have sufficient light 16 hours a day. These lamps remain on until 10 days after weaning. A wire has also been stretched at the back of the stalls from which the sow cards are hung. The floor under the sows is a concrete grid at the back and a dense concrete floor at the front. In front of the stalls, there is a feeding corridor where the sows are fed every morning but also where the boar can stand in front of the sow. Here, a gate is provided per 4 sows so that the boar remains in front of the sows so they can make contact with the boar.
Draught department
The sows are housed in two groups. A first group in a standard group housing with grid and concrete floor. A second group on straw. This allows us to compare sows from different types of group housing. The sows are kept in a 3-week system to keep the work distribution as even as possible.
Maternity ward
In the farrowing house, 12 sows with their litters are invariably included in a trial. The trials take place at both sow and farrowing level. The sows are fed individually so that specific additions can be made. Besides feed, other specific treatments can always be given to the sows.
Piglets can be weighed at birth or at the start of the trial, depending on customer demand. A new weighing always follows at weaning. At the customer's request, the litters can be divided into different groups, each with a different treatment. It is possible to supplement the piglets per litter with milk, porridge, meal, crumb, etc. Multiple supplementary feedings are also possible. If such treatments are carried out, the supplementary feed is changed several times a day and recorded so that feed intake can be determined over the entire period.
Besides supplementary feeding, there is also the possibility of giving specific treatments such as vaccinations etc to the piglets. Specific data such as behaviour, health monitoring etc. can also be determined.
Fast forward to
- Sow herd
- Piglets
- Fattening pigs
