AU2017101428A4 - Piglet protection maternity pen - Google Patents

Abstract

H:\jzc\Intrwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\JZC\I3486518_l.docx-15/03/2017 A maternity pen with a sow confinement section and a warning system activated in response to a detected position of the sow to encourage piglets to exit the confinement 5 section. In one embodiment, the warning system injects an air curtain of cool air into the confinement section.

Description

PIGLET PROTECTION MATERNITY PEN

Field

This invention relates to a maternity pen for a sow.

Background A conventional farrowing stall 1 is shown in Figure 1. The stall 1 restricts movement of a sow 2 in order to reduce neonatal piglet crushing by the sow 2. The stall 1 limits the sow’s movement to either lying or standing and encourages the sow 2 to lie down slowly and carefully, effectively giving vulnerable piglets 3 time to move from under the sow 2. Stalls reduce neonatal piglet mortality, and do this effectively but at the expense of the sows’ welfare, in that her movement is limited and she is not able to turn around, or express certain natural behaviours.

To address the issue of sow confinement a number of minimal sow confinement (loose) farrowing pens have been developed. These pens allow the sow to be loose for farrowing and potentially the entire lactation phase, though some enable the sow to be confined for the period when the piglet is most vulnerable, usually during farrowing and the first 3-5 days post-farrowing.

Extensive research has been conducted in the area of “loose” farrowing systems globally and whilst these systems allow the sow to turn around, there is a significant increase in piglet mortality corresponding with the amount of freedom given to the sow. Additionally, to operate even moderately effectively, loose farrowing pens occupy a larger footprint than conventional farrowing stalls and are therefore more expensive.

Many alternative farrowing pen system designs have been tried over the years such as the ellipsoid crate 4 shown in Figure 2. The crate 4 sits on the ground 5 and provides more space for the sow 2 but still presents a crush hazard for piglets 3.

Another farrowing pen design shown in Figure 3 includes an elevated hoop 6 which allows the sow freedom of movement to turn around while also providing crush protection for the piglets which are able to move under the protective hoop 6 and away from the sow when the sow lies down. However, piglet mortality rate due to crushing within the hoop 6 such as by the sow moving from a standing to a laying position still presents a problem.

Object

The maternity pen of the invention seeks to provide a welfare friendly environment for a sow and her litter with low piglet mortality resulting from crushing.

Summary

In accordance with one aspect, there is provided a maternity pen with a sow confinement section and a warning system activated in response to a detected position of the sow to encourage piglets to exit the confinement section.

In one embodiment, the warning system injects cool air into the confinement section.

In one embodiment, the warning system includes a sensor to detect when the sow is standing in order to activate the warning system.

In one embodiment, the warning system includes a circuit for timed release of jets of air into the confinement section.

In one embodiment, the pen includes an array of air outlets around the confinement section, connected to an air supply line.

In one embodiment, the pen includes an elevated barrier adjacent the confinement section to provide crush protection for the piglets.

In one embodiment, the outlets are positioned around the barrier.

In one embodiment, the barrier is in the form of a loop defining an internal conduit coupled to the air supply line in order to provide pressurised air to the outlets.

In one embodiment, the pen includes a creep for housing the piglets, and the outlets are arranged to generate an air curtain directed toward the creep to encourage the piglets into the creep.

In one embodiment, the creep is provided with heating and/or lighting to attract piglets into the creep.

In one embodiment, the pen includes closed side walls along either side of the confinement section and partially open end walls.

In one embodiment, the end walls have an access gate and/or bars for ventilation of the pen.

In one embodiment, the pen has two confinement sections, on opposite sides of a central side wall and adjoining piglet creeps positioned at an end of the central side wall.

In one embodiment, each confinement section has an associated barrier and a common air supply system is used to supply cool air into each of the confinement sections.

In another aspect, there is provided a method of reducing crush risk for piglets including monitoring a position of a sow within a confinement section of a maternity pen and directing cool air into the confinement section when the sow is standing to encourage piglets to leave the confinement section.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention is described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an image of a farrowing stall;

Figure 2 is an image of a farrowing pen;

Figure 3 is an image of another farrowing pen;

Figure 4 is a plan view of a maternity pen of the invention;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the pen of Figure 4; and

Figure 6 is a circuit diagram for activation of an air curtain in the pen.

Detailed Description A maternity pen 10 is shown in Figure 4. The pen 10 has a confinement section 11 between a central wall 12 and a parallel side wall 13. The confinement section 11 is defined by a barrier 14 in the form of an oval shaped loop or ring 15. A piglet creep 16 is provided at the end 17 of the central wall 12, adjacent the ring 15.

The oval shape of the ring 15 allows a sow to enjoy freedom of movement to lay down, stand up and turn around. The oval shape encourages the sow to lay down lengthwise inside the barrier 14, with head and tail positioned near end walls 18 of the pen 10.

The central wall 12 is closed, as is the side wall 13, to provide privacy for the sow from sows in adjoining farrowing pens. Gates 19 are provided in each end wall 18. The gates 19 have an open structure defined by bars 20 which allow for ventilation through the pen 10. The gates 19 also provide a potential threat zone to the sow which will encourage the sow to lay down with her head facing the direction of the associated gate 19. When a sow perceives a threat she will face toward the threat during farrowing and away from the creep 16 enabling newly born piglets to take sanctuary in the creep 16 as they are bom.

The barrier 14 is supported on brackets 21 in a generally diagonal orientation relative to the walls 12, 13, 18 such that the area of the confinement section 11 is optimised relative to the dimensions of the pen 10. The brackets 21 also hold the barrier 14 at a distance from the walls 12, 13, 18 so that a crawl space is still provided for piglets along the walls 12, 13, 18 even when the sow is inside the confinement section 11 and leaning against the barrier 14.

The pen 10 includes a warning system 22 which is formed of a sensor (not shown), a processor 23 and a valve unit 24 connected to an air pressure source (not shown). An air supply line 25 couples the valve unit 24 to an array of outlets (not shown) around the containment section 11.

In one embodiment, the barrier 14 is constructed of tubing 26 and the outlets are formed as holes in the tubing. The supply line 25 connects into the tubing 26 to deliver pressurised air to the outlets.

In an alternative arrangement, the outlets may be provided independently of the barrier and/or connected by separate piping mounted to the barrier.

In either case, when air is injected into the air supply line 25, jets of air will exit the outlets to form an ‘air curtain’.

The air curtain is formed of cool air which encourages any piglets within the containment section 11 to leave when the warning system 22 is activated.

The warning system 22 is activated by the sensor detecting movement of the sow. The sensor may, for example, be a pressure sensor that detects when pressure is removed from the barrier which indicates the sow is standing up. Alternatively, the sensor can simply determine if the sow is standing such as by a sensor beam being broken by the sow. Other types of detection can instead be used, as appropriate.

In either case, when the sow is detected as moving from a prone position into a standing position, the warning system 22 is activated to direct a curtain or stream of cool air into the containment section 11.

Piglets are sensitive to cool air and as a result the piglets will leave the containment section 11 when the sow is moving and in particular standing and/or moving from a standing position back to a prone position for suckling. As such, the piglets are discouraged from the containment section 11 during times of potential increased risk of crushing.

The outlets are preferably arranged such that the air curtain is directed toward the creep 16 so that during the time of increased danger, the piglets are actively encouraged into the safety of the creep 16. The piglet creep 16 can be provided with heating mats and/or lamps to provide further attraction for the piglets.

The piglet creep 16 is illustrated as triangular shaped housing 27 positioned between the end wall 18 and the central wall 12, adjacent the barrier 14, although other positions and housing configurations may be used, as required.

Figure 5 shows the barrier 14 suspended above the floor 28 of the pen 10 by the brackets 21 at a height that allows the piglets access under the ring 15 for suckling. After suckling, the piglets can return to the piglet creep 16 through an entrance 29 without being subject to any crush hazard from the sow.

The pen 10 also includes an enrichment rack 30 which enables the provision of straw or other fibrous material to be supplied to the sow. If the sow chooses she can access this enrichment and perform nesting behaviour if wanted.

Figures 4 and 5 show the pen 10 as having a dual containment section 11 and creep 16 in a mirror image arrangement either side of the central wall 12, which allows the warning system 22 and piglet creep heating mats and the like, to be shared.

Figure 6 illustrates an example circuit 31 for the warning system 22, with a power supply 32 that powers the valve unit 24 to provide pressurised cool air into the containment section 11. The power supply 32 activates the valve unit 24 through a relay 33 that is triggered by the sensor 35 detecting the sow in a standing position or moving from a prone position into a standing position. A custom timer 34 is positioned between the sensor 35 and the relay 33 such that the valve unit 24 is cycled on and off for predetermined amounts of time until the sow again lays down. The air curtain may, for example, be activated for 5 seconds every 30 seconds while the sow is standing. When the sow lays down the air curtain is deactivated.

It has been found that the pen 10 performs similar to a conventional farrowing stall in relation to overall piglet mortality rates although the invention results in a higher number of pigs born alive at birth as the sow has more freedom of movement to manipulate pigs from the birth canal during parturition, which can be seen in a reduced percent of pigs born dead.

As may be appreciated from the above, the pen allows additional sow movement and the ability to turn around and move about the pen 10. The sow also has the ability to perform nesting behaviour if desired. Importantly, the pen 10 protects the piglets by constraining the sow to movement within the containment section 11. When the piglets move away from the containment section 11, such as after feeding, the creep 16 will offer an attractive place for the piglets to remain warm and safe while away from the sow.

The pen is designed in such a manner that the orientation and positioning of the barrier and creep provides a smaller footprint for the pen compared to other minimal confinement pens.

It has been found that the pen 10, although being of smaller or generally the same size as a conventional farrowing stall, reduces instances of stillborn piglets as the sow has more freedom of movement during farrowing, while the barrier 14 and cool air injected by the warning system 22 helps reduce the crush hazard for the newborn piglets.

The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Claims (14)

1. Claims

   1. A maternity pen with a sow confinement section and a warning system activated in response to a detected position of the sow to encourage piglets to exit the confinement section.
2. 2. The pen of claim 1, wherein the warning system injects cool air into the confinement section.
3. 3. The pen of claim 2, wherein the warning system includes a sensor to detect when the sow is standing in order to activate the warning system.
4. 4. The pen of claim 2 or 3, wherein the warning system includes a circuit for timed release of jets of air into the confinement section.
5. 5. The pen of any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the pen includes an array of air outlets around the confinement section, connected to an air supply line.
6. 6. The pen of claim 5, wherein the pen includes an elevated barrier adjacent the confinement section to provide crush protection for the piglets.
7. 7. The pen of claim 6, wherein the outlets are positioned around the barrier.
8. 8. The pen of any one of claims 5 to 7, further including a creep for housing the piglets, wherein the outlets are arranged to generate an air curtain directed toward the creep to encourage the piglets into the creep.
9. 9. The pen of claim 8, wherein, the creep is provided with heating and/or lighting to attract the piglets into the creep.
10. 10. The pen of any one of claims 1 to 9, including closed side walls along either side of the confinement section and partially open end walls.
11. 11. The pen of claim 10, wherein the end walls have an access gate and/or bars for ventilation of the pen.
12. 12. The pen of claim 11, wherein the pen has two confinement sections, on opposite sides of a central side wall and adjoining piglet creeps positioned at an end of the central side wall.
13. 13. The pen of claim 12, wherein each confinement section has an associated barrier and a common air supply system is used to supply cool air into each of the confinement sections.
14. 14. A method of reducing crush risk for piglets including monitoring a position of a sow within a confinement section of a maternity pen and directing cool air into the confinement section when the sow is standing to encourage piglets to leave the confinement section.