Piglet Protection Features

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 Piglet Protection Features

• Sows prefer to lie against

vertical or sloped walls

• They may lie down unaided

rather than against a rail

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 Piglet Protection Features

• Vertical walls can cause a

high risk of piglets being
trapped

• Rails must be the correct

height to stop the sow
getting stuck

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 Sloped Wall Advantages

Sloped Walls:

• Support sow descent

• Allow piglet escape and

prevent trapping

• Create safe lying area in

addition to creep

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 Sloped Wall Advantages

Sloped Walls:
• Allow teat seeking behaviour safely 

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 Sloped walls: What are the correct
dimensions?
• Details are crucial!
• Get the dimensions and angles right – check them
before installing on a larger scale.

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 Sloped walls: What are the correct
dimensions?

• These dimensions are

based on measuring lots of
sows and piglets

• They stop the sow getting

her back or shoulders stuck

• They allow 4-week weaners

to continue to use the walls

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 Farrowing rails: What are the correct
dimensions?

• Farrowing rails are

recommended for use
in front of the creep

• Prevents sows trapping

piglets in the creep

• Allows piglet escape

route

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 Farrowing rails: Important considerations

Considerations - Correct height is essential in all areas

of the pen
• Horizontal bars can be risky if too low:

 

Too Low = Piglets can get trapped Make sure bars like this reach the floor

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 Farrowing rails: Important considerations

Considerations - Correct height is essential in all areas

of the pen
• Horizontal bars can be risky if too high:

 

Too High = Sows can get wedged Correct height = recommended 200mm

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 Farrowing rails: Important considerations
Considerations – Protruding bars
• Make sure protruding bars are spaced correctly to stop
piglets getting trapped and at the correct height
• Make sure the bars are smooth to prevent injury
Need to
round
off bars


180mm
200mm

180mm

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 What about mushrooms?

• Middle of the pen features

designed to reduce rolling
risk

• Not very effective

• Can cause more problems

• Not recommended

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 These recommendations are based on
research results as well as experience
from farm staff and research colleagues
working in various free farrowing systems

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