AU2008200203B2 - Hog farrowing box - Google Patents

Description

.A ustralian Patents Act 1990 - Regulation 3.2 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title "Hog farrowing box" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 5 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to hog farrowing systems and specifically to a hog farrowing system for use in cold environments which can permit unrestricted female hog movement and promotes natural mothering instincts of the female hog. 10 Conventional farrowing systems isolate pregnant female hogs within a steel cage prior to them farrowing a litter of piglets. The cage has a bottom grate through which the female hog defecates and urinates. Water and feed troughs are provided in the cage and feed must be hand delivered to the cage. This conventional farrowing system does not permit the female hog to move except for standing up and lying down. This conventional 15 system does not accommodate the female hog's natural mothering instinct to build a nest and consequently the female hog will rub her snout along the floor of the cage and chew on the steel bars of the cage. The associated stresses with the conventional farrowing system leads to physical injury, infection of the mammary glands, and low milk let-down. In addition, the conventional system is more labor intensive because they must have feed 20 hand transported directly to the female hog. Farrowing systems have been developed to counteract the stresses and pressures encountered by female hogs in conventional farrowing systems. Summer pasture hut farrowing is well suited to provide a mothering female hog with a farrowing environment free of man-made stresses. In this environment, a female hog is free-ranging in a pasture. 25 The most obvious issues with summer pasturing of farrowing systems is that the weather elements become an issue in the fall, winter, and spring. Simulating pasture but farrowing within an enclosed building is not an easy endeavor particularly in cold weather climates which may withstand typical temperatures at or below -12'F and wind chills approaching -35'F. I a An indoor farrowing system is still further complicated when engaging inhumane on-farm husbandry with criteria such as providing housing that is spacious enough for a mothering female hog to lie down in full lateral recumbency at one time and to move freely; providing an environment so that the female hogs may be active and social; 5 providing the hogs continuous access to bedding with straw or corn stover in which they can root, explore, play or build nests; and providing continuous access to shelter that protects the female hog and her piglets from cold, wind and rain. Conventional farming techniques using cages are often used by large corporate farms. These large farms are not typically inclined to utilize humane on-farm husbandry 10 for farrowing hogs. A family farm that owns the hogs, depends upon the farm for its livelihood, and provides the daily physical labor to marriage the hogs and farm operations are more likely to adopt humane on-farm husbandry. Conventional farrowing systems have no standards which require buildings to be constructed with windows or openings that let in daylight. In addition, conventional 15 systems are not given sufficient space to keep defecation and urination areas separate from female hog eating areas. Conventional farrowing systems have also aspired to remove the piglets from the mother at as early an age as 2 weeks. A humane husbandry guideline is that weaning shall take place at a piglet weight or age that considers the health and welfare of both the piglets 20 and their mothers. Although this age/weight may vary depending upon the breed of the female hog, whether the female hog is a sow (female hog that has had a litter of piglets) or a gilt (female hog that has not had a litter of piglets), and the health of the individual piglets, the recommended weaning age is typically six weeks with a minimum weaning age of five weeks. 25 BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE [NVENTION In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hog farrowing system for use in cold environments, the farrowing system comprising: a farrowing building providing protection from weather elements; a plurality of farrowing 30 boxes within the farrowing building and a heat system within the inner chamber having a front, back and sides attached together defining an inner chamber and open top and bottom and an entrance to permit free ingress and egress of female hogs and restrain piglets, an alley outside the farrowing boxes for the female hogs to defecate, urinate, and move; feed and water stations outside the farrowing boxes.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a farrowing system that may be used in a cold environment but which has the characteristics of summer pasture hut farrowing that include unrestricted female hog movement in and out of farrowing boxed and promote natural mothering instincts such as building a nest for her litter. 5 Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a farrowing system which permits female hogs to farrow and express their natural instincts during cold weather as they would in summer pasture hut farrowing. Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a farrowing system which incorporates general humane on-farm husbandry standards for farrowing hogs. 10 Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a farrowing system which may be easily adapted to a family farm and modify existing buildings so that a family farmer may make a livelihood from the farm. Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide buildings constructed with windows or openings that let in daylight and have sufficient floor space to keep the 15 defecation and urination area separate from the feeding and drinking areas. Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a weaning of piglets that considers both the health and welfare of the piglets and their mother. Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide adequate space requirements for animals if they are not free ranging in pastures but are instead in an 20 enclosed building structure. The Animal Welfare Institute recommends 42 square feet for a gilt and her litter. Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide adequate space for the female mothering hog and her litter of piglets. Preferred embodiments of the present invention may also provide apparatus to 25 prevent two female hog from occupying the same space. Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a hog farrowing system for use in a cold environment is provided that incorporates and utilizes the female hog's natural behaviors and instincts including: 30 To isolate herself from the herd 24 hours before farrowing; To seek a warm, dry area to root and nest in; To begin nest building 12-15 hours before farrowing; To vocalize with and nurse pigs immediately after farrowing; To seek to defecate and urinate away from her nest; To find her own nest and piglets based on scent; To keep her piglets isolated from the herd for 10-14 days; After 10-14 days the female hog wants her piglets to follow her to integrate With the rest of the herd; and 5 at 5-6 weeks the female hog begins to move away from the piglets and starts the gradual weaning process by limiting nursing time which encourages the piglets to begin consuming more dry feed. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the farrowing 10 building does not need to be heated or insulated. In fact, the farrowing building may be a previously built hoop barn or pole barn already present on the farm. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the farrowing boxes are insulated and the heat system may be a centralized system being ducted into the farrowing boxes or may utilize simple heat lamps and the heat system can be located 15 opposite an entrance to the farrowing box to permit the female hog to lie facing the entrance and give birth to piglets near the heat. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the farrowing boxes have a removable door to permit free ingress and egress of piglets to defecate, urinate, and move to the feed and water stations when the piglets have achieved an age of 20 approximately 10-14 days. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the farrowing boxes may have a roller located over the removable door to prevent bruising of the female hogs large pre-farrowing underline and udder. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the farrowing system 25 may have limestone bedding placed under the farrowing boxes and the farrowing boxes have an open bottom to be placed directly on the limestone and in addition to the limestone bedding, straw bedding may be placed within the farrowing boxes to permit the female hogs to build a nest within a center location of the farrowing box. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the farrowing system 30 may have anti-crushing boards, anti-crushing bars, and a creep area placed away from the nest in the center location of the farrowing box to prevent the female hog from crushing the piglets. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the farrowing box may adopt the Animal Welfare Institutes space requirements of a female hog that is a gilt

A

utilizing 42 square feet per gilt and litter. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the farrowing system places a ring in the female hog's snout to prevent rooting in the alley of the farrowing building. 5 According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the farrowing system may have anti-crushing boards, anti-crushing bars, and a creep area placed away from the nest in the center location of the farrowing box to prevent the female hog from crushing the piglets. In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided A 10 method of farrowing hogs in cold environments within a building utilizing a plurality of heated and insulated farrowing boxes which permit unrestricted female hog movement and promote natural mothering instincts by the female hog, the method comprising: providing a pregnant female hog for each of the farrowing boxes approximately 24 hours before the female hog gives birth to piglets; providing an alley outside the farrowing box for the 15 female hog to defecate, urinate, and move; providing a feed and water stations outside the farrowing boxes; promoting the female hog to root in bedding provided inside the farrowing box and build a centrally located nest in the farrowing box as opposed to an alley of the building; promoting the female hog to give birth to piglets close to a heat source; protecting the piglets from crushing by use of a creep area, anti-crush boards, and 20 anti-crush rods. Preferably, the alley outside the farrowing box allows the female hog to move towards the feed and water stations. Preferably, rods are provided for preventing two female hogs from laying within the same farrowing box. 25 According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the method utilizes the step of weaning the piglets after approximately 6 weeks by removing the female hogs and then removing the piglets at the end of the farrowing cycle which is approximately 8 weeks. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, steps are provided 30 for removing the nesting boxes, cleaning the bedding material within the building, spreading new bedding upon the farrowing building floor, and returning the farrowing boxes to an operational position. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, steps are provided for maintaining the minimum temperature in the creep area under the heat source at 70"F and the nest within the farrowing box at 50 "F and ideally 90 'F in the creep area and 70 *F within the farrowing box. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, utilization of a once bred gilt system which brings a gilt to market within 11 12 months as a market hog where 5 the gilt is considered a market hog that produces a litter of pigs on her way to market. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of 10 non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the farrowing system according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a grouping of farrowing boxes within a generic hoop building. Figure 2 is a top view of the farrowing building of Figure 1 showing the layout of is the farrowing system. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the structure of the farrowing box. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the farrowing box in use with piglets inside the nesting area of the box. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the farrowing box with piglets nursing with their 20 mother. Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of the farrowing box taken along line 6-6 of Figure 4. Figure 7 is a front view of the farrowing box with a carpet over the entrance to the farrowing box. 25 Figure 8 is an alternative embodiment of the farrowing box as seen in Figure 7 with plastic curtain. Figure 9 is a top view of the farrowing box showing anti-crushing bars moveable between a nesting position and a nursing position. 30 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As seen in Figures 1 and 2, the farrowing system is generally designated in the drawings with the reference numeral 10. The farrowing system may also be referred to as the NATURAL FARROWING SYSTEMTM . The farrowing system utilizes a generic farrowing building 12, typically a hoop or pole barn. The floor of the farrowing building has a farrowing box area 14 which has a series of farrowing boxes 16 grouped together. The farrowing box 16 may also be referred to as NESTING BOXm. As illustrated, the farrowing boxes 16 are grouped together to conserve heat. Alternatively, these boxes may be separated. Also, the farrowing boxes 16 as illustrated 5 have their backs to one another such that an entrance to the farrowing box 16 is pointed outward. The farrowing boxes 16 may also be formed in a single lane. The number of farrowing boxes 16 are determinate upon the size of the farrowing building 12 and general guidelines regarding layout of the farrowing building 12. Layout considerations include an alley 18 outside of the farrowing box 16 that is 10 preferably 6 to 7 feet wide. Also, a 12 feet wide floored area20 extends along the front of the fan-owing building 12 and includes a waterer 24 that is approximately 8 inches off the - grznd and a feeder-22that as illustrated is 8 feet igh. and hl.ds severalweeks worth of feed.ln. addition,the-farmer may desire a storage ara26beindthe farrowing box area 14 in which to store straw. The storage area26 is optigna and not required. 15 . siseenin-Figure 2, the relative sizeofthecomponentssillusatedA . illustrated the farrowing boxes: are 8 feet long and 5' 4" wide to give each farrowing box 42 square feetinside.tachalley8 to the leftandithe ightpf the farrowimg box area 14 is 7 feet widebringing the total width of thebuilding to 30 feet The total length of the building is 50 feet which provides adequate storage space 26 and a forward area 20. -20 ;The generic farrowing building 12..as illustrated is a hoop building that protects t fatrowing boxes t6 from snow, wind, and rain. The structureshouldhe1 feet wide to accommodate one8 8footlongnesting boxand a 6 foot wide alley and have a length to accommodate asmany 5! 4" fatrowing bqxes 16 as can be placed in e b,arm2 for each female hog that is farrowing. The floor of the farroying buildinggmay be dirt, concrete r25 or other ijaterial. The floor is illustrated inFigure 6 as numeral 70. The entire floor.ofthe building 12 is covered with aaf inch of Ag lime #3. This layer is illustrated in Figure 6 as numeral 66 and astaza disinfectant and barrier to Spatiogens in the floor. The area ofthe flodr under the nesting boxes is bedded with a 4. inch layer shell and bone dry lime stone 68 to insulate gilt. To encourage the female hog to 30 nest, 1/3 to 1/2 of a small bale of long stemmed straw (20 lbs) illustrated as numeral 64 is placed in the farrowing box 16. 7 As seen in Figure 3, the farrowing box 16 has a front 28, back 30, both having cross bars 31 for structural support. Joining the back 30 to the front 28 are sides 32 which are attached to the back 28 and front 30 by corner braces 33. The front 28, back 30, and sides 32 together form an open bottom 34 and an open top 36. On the front 28 is an entrance 37 5 positioned over a removable door 38 that slides along grooves 40 on each side of the entrance 37. Above the removable door 38 is a 4" by 24" plastic roller 42 that helps the female hog prevent damaging her pre-farrowing underside and udder. The plastic roller 42 may be used with the above described farrowing box 16, summer pasture hut farrowing boxes, or other farrowing environments in the prior art. 10 On each side of the farrowing box 16 are anti-crush boards 44. These boards 44 help preventthe piglets from-being crushed up against sides 32 accidentally by the female hog.aCrossbars46 extendacross the front and back sideiofthe farrowing box. Theplstic roller 42 is placd upon thefrontcrossbar 46 during construction and spins about the-front crossbar 46. 15 .so seerwithin the nesting areaarrods4 8 These todsprevent two female hogs frorm lyirggdown and shariiga farrowing box 16.tagethei.is mentioned earlier, gits are sociaanimWaland will sometimes co-mingle in the same farrowing box46 without tie use of rodsi48.Therods 48:erbabi fenalehog tomaneiyerwithinthe b 6butnottolay dowcexcept'withinacenter channel in-alignment with the entrance this preventing piglet. 20 crgshiing Figure 9illustrates anti-crush rods 48 whichare moveablelietween a nesting t ositionwhere therods.48 are extended outward toperniitithe pre-farrowing female hog to buildane t without obstructions of the rods 48 and a nusing position wherein therods are moved-parallel such that onlyone female hog-may lay in the farrowing box at time to 25 nursee herpiglets.. The nursingposition significantly prevents piglet crushing by preventing two femaleiogs from-being with the same farrowing box4 6 at thesame time and'to designate an area where the mursing mother may lay which. further prevents piglet crushing. The rod 48 is moveabliebetween the nesting position and the nuring position. The rod 48 may be used with the above described farrowing box, summer pasture hut farrowing 30 boxes, or other farrowing environments in the prior art. The rod 43 is supported by a U bolt 81 affixed under the front crossboard 46. The rod 48 travels through the U-bolt 81 and 8 a pin 80 placed through the rod prevent the rod 48 from moving outward into the inner nesting area. A hole 82 within the creep area crossboard 46 is raised off the ground approximately 12" to effectively remove the rod 48 from interfering with the nesting of the female hog. Downward support bars 84 are on the outside of the wooden crossboard 46 5 and extend about 4" downward. The downward support bars 84 permit the rod 48 to be slid into place at approximately 8" off the floor of the farrowing box 16. In addition, the bars 84 also deter the mothering hogs from pushing material into the creep area. The rod 48 is a 3/4" steel pipe that will not be damaged by the female hog. The rod 48 is moved between the nesting and nursing positions by removing pin 80, pushing the rod 48 into the 10 nesting area and then pulling the rod 48 through the entrance 37 which removes the rod 48 m mout ofholeS2gthe rod 48is then placed into the bars 84, and-fialy the rod 48 displaced 'into -td bolt 81-and thepinv 80 placed through the rod 48 t prevent movement past the.. 'U-bolt The rod 48 ismoved between the nursing and estingspositions similarly but' with reverse order of steps. 15 A sloped creep front 50 is in position at theIr:ack 30,ofthe Jarrowing box 16. This is sloped foiward.and has holes 52 through which wiring 54runsti lamps 56. The sloped creepfront0 defies a creep arealevel withthe anti-crushboards446Amesh wire abuts a the bottd of thecieep area and prevents straw bedding64rfrom touching the lamps 56 The farrowingbox 16 as shown-is equipped with two 250wattheatlamps 56. These heat 20 lamps 56 maintain a minimmu70*Ptemperature in the creep area und a minimum of 50"F in thenestinhnursing area.Ideally, the heat lamps 56Faintaina:90"F temperature m the.a creep are anda 79 0 Fin thetnsting/nursing area.heheat lanips:56.amaybe controlledby a thermostat .The heat lamps 56 maintain these.temperatures even when he external temeipairesoutside the farrowing building are at -2*F with&a;35*Fwind chill. 25 .w Thbbheatlaips 56 are protected fronthe female hog and pgletsby the solid plywood barrief5. ;The wire inesh:58 is % inch wire'mesh-andis ineffective barrier ,below the heat,-lamp to prevent the heat lamps from contacting the straw bedding and to prevent thelarnp from straw contact from the nesting female hog, imddprotect the piglets and female hog in the unlikely event that the lamps become loose or explode. 30 Insulation 62 is placed on the open top 36 of the fbrrowing box 16. Additionally, a plastic vapor barrier 63 may be placed in use with the Styrofoam insulation 62. The plastic 9 vapor barrier 63 is typically a 6ml clear plastic barrier. The insulation 62 is typically 2 inch thick Styrofoam panel (RIO) heat loss barrier. A covering may be placed upon the door to prevent heat loss out of the farrowing box 16. As seen in Figures 7 and 8, this door 76 may be a 3x2 foot insulating carpet square 5 or it may be insulating plastic sheets 78 overlapping. The plastic sheets 78 may provide the additional benefit of being clear and permitting a female hog to see within the farrowing box 16. As seen in Figure 4, the piglets 73 are shown standing without their mother in the nesting area. The piglets 73 may alternatively rest underneath the heat lamps in the creep 10 area or under the anti-crush boards 44 and anti-crfng rods 48. Figure 5 illustrates-afemale hog 72 which may beta-sow or gilt. Sows are older female ho s hichhave alreidyhad one litter and gilts aie female hogshaving their first -litter. edThe ile hog 72is'shownwith a noselring 74. The nose ring 74 prevents the femalehog 72 froi rooting in thedalley.and encourages the female hog 72 to root and build 15 a nemin e frrowing box 16. . . .. Theuseofthe faiiig system will riow bedescribed. Approximately 12 hours . : ,befoft 'giltih ue to farrowhe willstart looking for nest site andwillmove into the . farwagliox16 ahd isolate herself from other female hogs. The 4" inch plastic roller on "the approximately 12 inch high entrance prevents-anybruising of the female hogs 72 large -20 pi-faridiig ridelin tadudder. The female-hog 12 will root intie 4'drylimestone layer and pfoceed to build a dest with the straw that is provided inthe farrowing box46 She will tenfto ouid the straw in the-middle of the farrowing box16causing the A - iewboim piglets 73 t move toithe sides 32 under the anti-crushig boards 44; anti-crush bars 48, and-under the slopedcreep front 50.: The-gilt will lie in the box facing the door 25 'and-the piglets 73 will be borii next to the heat sdurce 56 in.the crep'area. underthe sloped . cree frn 50.'hfemale hog 72 is'discouraged to&fatrowdnthe bare.outside alley 18.*. because there is no nesting material, such asibonelimestone .68 or straw bedding:64, and because by instinctNants to isolate her news'piglets;73-from the other female hogs. The:female hog may have a- ring 74 inserted in her snout to further prevent rooting in the alley 30 18. 10 After farrowing, the female hog 72 will lie in the farrowing box 16 and vocalize and nurse her piglets 73 for about 12 hours before she will get up and go outside into the alley 18 to urinate and defecate. She will then go to the end of the farrowing building 12 and eat and drink from the feeder 22 and waterer 24. 5 The female hog 72 will then go back to her farrowing box by scenting her piglets 73. The female hog 72 will only go back into the farrowing box 16 holding her piglets 73 because of her mothering instinct. The female hog 72 will nurse her piglets in the farrowing box 16 and continue to go outside over the farrowing box roller 42 to urinate, defecate, eat and drink. This results in 10 the farrowing box 16 staying dry and warm for the piglets health and comfort. - Afteraboutd14 days the4ower door.38,of the farrowingbox 16 is removed-and the Apiglets 73will naturally.statto followtheir mother outside and integrate with the other piglets and mothers. The piglets will follow their mother to theend ofthe structure and will begin to'eat and drink with:her. The piglets also learnto urinate and defecate in the .5alY48vmd thus:their.'farrowing box.1,6, that they ill alwasrtr to, wilstay dliry and q warin.he farrowing box 16 will always provide thefemale hog 73.andber littersafe baver frornthe environment outside the farrowing.boxes 16: * The piglets 73 continue to nurse.their mothern4 eat andxink-with her until about six weeks of age when they-are weaned at approximately,35.pounds.. Weaning is done by 20 removing the female hog 72.from the areaand by allowing the pigets .3 tosy in their normal1 environment which eliminates much of thqWeaning stWessof the piglets./3. he piglets continueto each and drink from teselffeeder22 and waterer 24 at the. '.-end ofthefarroing building."'At-eight weeks of age the piglets -- r 5(0to 55 pounds and marketed.as feeder pigs and removed from the building.

25 'For cleaning, the farrowing boxes 16 are removed-from the building 12 by picking mthenup with front end-loader (not shown) attachedby chair sucI that the cross beam 60 can be lifted up. The limestone 66 and 68, straw 64 and manure ar then mechanically removed with the frontend loader and spread on crop ground as valuable natural fertilizer that is dry and virtually odor free. 30 The cycle begins again by placing a 1/2" layer of Ag Lime 43 spread over the entire floor 70 of the building 12 as a disinfectant and barrier to pathogens in the floor. 11 The entire process is an eight-week cycle. The cycle is further enhanced uiizing a once-bred gilt system. This system utilizes a genetic line of hogs which reach reproductive maturity quickly. Ideally the female hogs are induced to go into heat by being placed near a boar such that their first heat is between 5-1/2 to 6 months of age. The female hogs are 5 then artificially inseminated such that they farrow at approximately 9-1/4 months of age. The mother may then be weaned at approximately 10-1/2 to 11 months of age where they may then be marketed as market hogs. This is valuable because market hogs command a higher price than hogs older than one year of age. During warm seasons, the insulation 62 and vapor barrier 63 are removed from the 10 farrowing boxes and the heat lamps 56 turned off by thermostat. In addition, the farrowing .,buildingAl2 may have windows and doors opened.AJtilzing*these steps, the farrowing system Wr'cold-environments may be modified to be used du ng the.hot summer months As seeni the below table theresults ofusipg the abov-dcscribed cold farrowing system is as effective if not more effective than summer pasture hwi farrowing., 12 Table: Comparison of results between NATURAL FARROWING SYSTEMTM and Summer Pasture Hut Farrowing ISU Summer Pasture 5 NATURAL FARROWING NATURAL FARROWING Hut Farrowing: SYSTEM SYSTEM"' Nine Year Research 2/18-2/22/04 3/10.3/14104* Summary on 513 Gilts Bred 30 30 513 Gilts Farrowed 26 27 429 10 Farrowing Rate % 86.77 90 83.6 Pigs Born/Gilt 10.30 10.41 9.70 Pigs Born Dead/Gilt 0.69 0.78 0.60 Pigs Born AlivdGilt. 9.61 9.63 - 9.10 15 Pigs Crushed/Gilt 1.22 0.81 0.90 Pigs/Gilt 8.39 8.82 8.20 Alive >24 hours Pigs Alive 218 231 3518 >24 Hours/ 20 Farrowing Group *Results from cold weather farrowing in hoop building temperatures tested at -12 0 F with a wind chill of -35*F below. 'Outdoor Pig Production: A Pasture Farrowing Herd in Western Iowa Honeyman, Mark and Rousch, Wayne Publication Number ISRF98-10 25 Embodiments of the invention have been shown and described above for the preferred embodiments, and is understood that many modifications, substitutions, and additions may be made which are within the intended spirit and scope of the invention. In the foregoing, it can be seen that embodiments of the present invention problems as outlined previously in a cold environment and with minor 30 modifications can be used in warm seasons to improve pasture hut farrowing results. 13 Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia. 14

Claims (32)

1. A hog farrowing system for use in cold environments, the farrowing system comprising: a farrowing building providing protection from weather elements; a plurality 5 of farrowing boxes within the farrowing building and a heat system within the inner chamber having a front, back and sides attached together defining an inner chamber and open top and bottom and an entrance to permit free ingress and egress of female hogs and restrain piglets, an alley outside the farrowing boxes for the female hogs to defecate, urinate, and move; feed and water stations outside the farrowing boxes. 10

2. The farrowing system of claim 1 wherein the farrowing building is not heated.

3. The farrowing system of claim 2 wherein the farrowing building is not insulated. 15

4. The farrowing system of claim I wherein the farrowing building is a hoop barn.

5. The farrowing system of claim 1 wherein the farrowing building is a pole barn.

6. The farrowing system of claim 1 wherein the farrowing boxes are insulated. 20

7. The farrowing system of claim 1 wherein the heat system is for each of the farrowing boxes and comprises two 250W heat lamps.

8. The farrowing system of claim I wherein heat from the heat system is located 25 opposite the entrance to permit the female hog to lay facing the entrance and give birth to the piglets-near the heat.

9. The farrowing system of claim I wherein the farrowing boxes have a removeable door to permit free ingress and egress of piglets to defecate, urinate, and move to the feed 30 and water stations. 15 C:WRPortb\DCC\CLEI792697_ DOC-6/i If/M)

10. The farrowing system of claim 9 wherein the farrowing boxes have a roller located over the removeable door to prevent bruising on the female hog's large pre-farrowing underline and udder. 5

11. The farrowing system of claim I further comprising limestone bedding under the farrowing boxes.

12. The farrowing system of claim 11 wherein the farrowing boxes have an open bottom and are placed directly upon the limestone bedding. 10

13. The farrowing system of claim 12 wherein straw bedding is placed within the farrowing boxes to permit the female hog to build a nest within a center location of the farrowing box. 15

14. The farrowing: system of claim 13 wherein the farrowing box further comprises anti-crushing boards and a creep area placed away from the nest to prevent the female hog from crushing the piglets.

15. The farrowing system of claim 14 wherein the farrowing box provides 20 approximately 42 square feet per female hog and her piglets.

16. The farrowing system of claim I further comprising limestone spread in the alley as a disinfectant and barrier to pathogens in the floor. 25

17. The farrowing system of claim 16 wherein the alley is approximately 6 feet wide.

18. The farrowing system of claim 16 further comprising a ring to be placed in the female hog's snout to prevent rooting in the alley. 30

19. The farrowing system of claim I wherein the feed and water stations are in a common location in the farrowing building. 16 C:\NRPortbhlCC\CLE\1792697 L DOC-6/l 20j0)

20. The farrowing system of claim 19 wherein the feed and water stations are in a farrowing building location approximately 12 feet wide.

21. A method of farrowing hogs in cold environments within a building utilizing a 5 plurality of heated and insulated farrowing boxes which permit unrestricted female hog movement and promote natural mothering instincts by the female hog, the method comprising: providing a pregnant female hog for each of the farrowing boxes approximately 24 hours before the female hog gives birth to piglets; providing an alley outside the farrowing box for the female hog to defecate, urinate, and move; providing a 10 feed and water stations outside the farrowing boxes; promoting the female hog to root in bedding provided inside the farrowing box and build a centrally located nest in the farrowing box as opposed to an alley of the building; promoting the female hog to give birth to piglets close to a heat source; protecting the piglets from crushing by use of a creep area, anti-crush boards, and anti-crush rods. 15

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising the step permitting unrestricted piglet movement after approximately fourteen days such that the mothering female hog may teach the piglets to defecate, urinate, eat, and drink outside the farrowing box. 20

23. The method of claim 22 further comprising the step weaning the piglets at approximately six weeks by removing the female hogs.

24. The method of claim 23 further comprising the step removing the piglets from the building at approximately eight weeks. 25

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the piglets are between 50-55 lbs in weight and can be marketed as feeder pigs.

26. The method of claim 24 further comprising the step removing the nesting boxes, 30 the nesting boxes having an open bottom permitting the bedding to remain in the building. 17 C:NRPorbl\DCC\CLEI7926971 DOC-6/1 l/2l9

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the step removing the farrowing boxes is performed with a front end loader tractor.

28. The method of claim 27 further comprising the step cleaning the building of the 5 bedding.

29. The method of claim 21 further comprising spreading limestone bedding over the building floor and replacing the farrowing boxes. 10

30. The method of claim 21 further comprising utilizing a once-bred gilt system to permit bringing the female hog to market as a market hog.

31. The method of claim 21 wherein the heat source maintains a minimum 70*F temperature in the creep area and a minimum 507 in the centrally located nest. 15

32. The method of claim 21 further comprising the step modifying the farrowing box for warm environments by reducing the heat and insulation. 18