Gestation unit

Pregnant sows and gilts Tethering  Loose housed 0-2 % 33 % 66 % Ban: January 2006

Danish legislation Pregnant sows and gilts  Loose housing from 4 weeks after service until 7 days before expected farrowing  Area: sows/group2,8 m 2 pr. sow sows/group2,2 m 2 pr. sow sows/group2,0 m 2 pr. sow -> 17 sows/group2,25 m 2 pr. sow -1 – 10 gilts1,9 m 2 pr. gilt -> 10 gilts1,7 m 2 pr. gilt  Lying area (solid/drained flooring and litter) -Sows1,30 m 2 pr. sow -Gilts0,95 m 2 pr. gilt  All sows from January 1 st 2013

Danish legislation Pregnant sows and gilts Group housing of sows (cont.) –Sprinkler system or similar facility for cooling –Enrichment materials to provide play Transition period for existing units –Fibrous feed to give satiety All sows from 15th of May 2003

Housing of pregnant sows

Recommended feeding systems for gestating sows Electronic sow feeding (ESF) Free access feeding stalls (one feeding stall per sow)

Electronic sow feeding

Simultaneous feeding Individual feed ration Management and control of feed ration Requires large area Free access feeding stalls

Feeding the pregnant sow Regulation –Feeling of satiety –High fibre content Feed bye the eye –The sow need the right condition

Feeding strategi, pregnant sows Day 0 – 28, Egg attachement, body condition – 2,5 – 3,5 FU/day Day 29 – 80 Leg strength, body Condition – 2 – 2,4 FU/dag Day 81 – 100 Body condition, Embryo development udderdevelopment – app. 3 FU/day Day – 114 farrowing pct.,-

Pregnant sow. Condition.

12 Remember When you design the unit: Room for all (small groups or one big) Training section A good climate Feeding method (your temperament) The law Pens for sick animals Rutines: Heat control 3 weeks Heat control 6 weeks Pregnancy control Behavior Condition of the sows Feed control Health control (f.ex legs or bides) Vaccinations Registration Move sows to farrowing unit

Pregnancy control methods

Essentail vaccination Coli diarrhoea. (Piglets) Colstridium perfringens. (Piglets) Infectious fetal death Erysipelas