Practical Considerations for Adoption of Group Sow Housing

Practical Considerations for Adoption of Group Sow HousingChris J. Rademacher, DVMISU Swine Extension Veterinarian

OutlineGroup Housing Options and ConsiderationsPractical ConsiderationsBreedingFeedingManagement of GroupingsVaccinationsOther Management

Perspective on Sow Housing OptionsI spent the first 5 years of my career taking sows out of pens and putting them into stalls and now I will spend the last 5 years taking them back outSteve Pollmann, President of Western Operations Murphy-Brown LLC

Misalignment between Science and Public Perception

Ultimate Goals of Gestation HousingProtection from environmentProtection from other sowsFeed level control Maintain pregnancy and well-beingSafe and enjoyable workplaceRobust system to avoid management errorsGonyou, 2003

Primary Considerations for Group Sow HousingFour Primary Considerations:Floor space allocation for sowsFeeding strategies to control variation in sow body conditionPlans for managing sows in dynamic/static groupsHow and when to mix sowsBreed in stalls and transfer to pens >30 days to protect embryosStockperson skills and ability to manage groupshttp://nationalhogfarmer.com/genetics-reproduction/sow-gilt/0215-switching-stalls-costsBuhr U of MN - 2010

Questions??

Group Sow Housing OptionsThere is NO one design that fits all operations!!FacilitiesExpertise Management and TechnologicalCostOptions:Free-access pensElectronic sow feeding (dynamic and static groups)Group housing with drop feeding (trickle or drop)

Gestation Housing in Denmark(provided by L.U.Hansen, Danish Agriculture & Food Council, 2011)

30-40% with electronic feeders20-30% in pens30-40% in free-access

Group Sow Housing Video Clips

Taking the Mystery Out of Pork Productionwww.youtube.com

Available at Smithfield Foods websites.

Universal Questions on Group Sow HousingHow much space do they need?When should we move them into groups?How do I feed them to ensure consistent Body Condition?

Space AllowanceCurrent literature ranges from 15 ft2 to 50 ft2Less than 15 ft2 clearly compromises animal well-beingGreater than 25 ft2 resulted in no additional advantageNot a lot of research done between 15-25 ft2EU Guidelines17 ft2 for gilts24 ft2 for sows

European Suggested Space GuidelinesTotal AreaArea of Solid FlooringGroup Sizesq ft / animalsq ft / animal6-39 animalsSows24.2213.99Gilts17.6510.23< 6 animalsSows26.6413.99Gilts19.4210.23>= 40 animalsSows21.8013.99Gilts15.8910.23

Suggested space guidelines are a function of female age, number per pen, and amount of solid flooring

Range

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What about breeding in stalls?Primary animal welfare concern is to protect the unborn embryos.EU regulations state that bred females are allowed to be in crates until 28 days gestation.Most systems are using 35-42 days to allow for confirmation of pregnancy

Impact of timing of creating sow groups

Knox - U of IL

Free Access Gestation Pens Animals Choose Open Space or Crate More Available Square Feet for Animals90% of Floor Space for Animals (vs. 68%) Animals Eat & Drink in Crates Animals Choose to Move Around/SocializeSolid Floor Loafing Area Crates are Lockable

Bred sows in free-access pens

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17Before.Gestation stalls

After.Free-accesssystem

Lock down for Free Access

Small Pen Conversions (Trickle Feeding Systems)Simplest and easiest to do.Usually accomplished by cutting the last 2/3 of the gestation stall off and creating a pen of 6 or 103 stalls back to back 6 per pen5 stalls back to back 10 per pen

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Original Small Pen Design Issues 9 wide single gates were bending from the stress of 6 sows pushing on them. 9 wide single gates were too heavy for some employees to lift by themselves. 2 of solid concrete was too small for feed drop. Feed was rolling into the pit and being wasted.18 wide quarter stalls seemed too narrow but experience has shown it allows 6 sows to stand side by side at feeding time.

The Shift to 19.2 ft2One method that resulted in an easier conversion could be made by using a method called the Cut-Off Crates (12) 2 x 7 stalls with a 2 walkway created a pen that was 12 x 16 or 192 ft2 10 pigs in this pen got us 19.2 ft2 and met all of the intentions of the Group Sow Housing initiative.

Sow Behavior Pens vs. Free Access System

ESF System Automated Feeder

ESF System Pen Configuration

Key Learnings on ESF SystemsCritical that standardized work instructions are in place Audits should be put in place to ensure protocols are being followed correctly Startup training on ESF Farms is critical and leadership must be engaged to ensure farm level successESF Systems require more technical aptitude by Farm ManagerESF settings should be standardized across system to reduce variation and time allowed for sow to eat is critical (i.e. if time is not adequate aggression) Be careful leveraging Manufacturer and (or) Distributor for technical knowledge or recommendations

ESF Performance AttributesPSY Variance AnalysisStalled gestation 27.14 PSY Mated ESF gestation 25.54 PSY Mated Significant loss in reproductive performance on conversions due to training of sows previously housed in stalls. Increased aggression at feeder and potential for increase in fallout and (or) culls

CriteriaStallsESFP < No. females200201Gestation wt gain, lbs101.6106.5.04Lactation wt loss, lbs7.74.4.03Born live per litter11.5011.05.07Weaned per litter10.209.90.01Weaning wt, lbs14.5015.06.11% having 3 litters68.955.7.13No. weaned over 3 litters29.526.5---

Electronic Sow Feeding compared to Gestation Stalls (Univ of MN)ESF significantly reduced sow productivity

Group Housing SummaryFree-accessElectronic feedersDrop-feedingEase of management******Production impact******Initial costs******Operating costs******Dedicated space/female*****

*** Excellent; ** Good; * Poor

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Challenges & Lessons Learned Animal Movement/Working around pigs Biosecurity protocol while under constructionConstruction staffConstruction equipment in and out of barnsClean/Dirty Lines Communication between Contractors & Farm Staff Scope Definition of project

Practical Considerations Grouping Sows Decreased fallout by waiting until 35-42 days to create groups.Group them by body size Big sows with big sowsMedium sows with medium sowsSmall sows with small sowsTry to keep gilts together if possible

Practical Considerations Feeding Sows Very easy to overfeed sowsHave a pen card with ID and Body Condition Score that gets checked multiple times during gestation.Have a designated pens for thin sows to get them fed back into condition.Be sure to shut off feeders when an animal is removed.

Practical Considerations Health/VaccinationEasier to lose track of sows for routine vaccinationsNo longer in gestation rows easier to flagVaccinations are more difficult to doLess restraintEmployee safety concernsMarginal foot health problems will be magnified.Easier to monitor for diseasesOral fluids in pens

SummaryMoving to group sow housing takes a different mindset than most have grown up in.Be sure to give them enough space.15 to 25 square feetHusbandry skills may need to be increased in order to manage.Be sure to have a plan for thin/fall-behind animals to feed and treat them.

BEFORE