The Rural Voice, 1987-09, Page 55ADVICE
Nipple drinkers and feeders are lo-
cated on each side of the gate. When
started, the radial arm pivots around the
barn at a set speed. Because the centre of
the barn is slightly higher, the manure
scraper pushes the manure into gutters
on the outside edges.
Gravity carries the manure from the
barn to a holding tank buried in the
ground outside the barn. Cleaning is
done with the radial arm twice a day.
The arm also divides the pen into two
sections, each with 50 pigs. Pigs enter
the barn at about 23 kilograms.
A bulk bin beside the barn holds a
complete ration. The ventilation is a
temperature -controlled forced -air fan.
After one year in operation, the cir-
cular finishing barn reduced the daily
labour requirements for cleaning and
feeding by 50 per cent.0
SPLAY LEGS CAN
BE CONTROLLED
The condition of splay legs in piglets
is not new to pork producers, but recent
changes in the management of sow
herds may help in its treatment.
To date, the most dependable treat-
ment is taping the rear legs together until
the muscles strengthen. More assis-
tance may be needed to get the pigs to
suck, and a clean dry floor will encour-
age movement.
But research in several countries
suggests some other areas to examine.
The breeding background of the af-
fected litter should be checked. A ge-
netic link has not been proven, but there
appears to be a relationship to certain
boars and certain breeds.
You should also record the sex and
time of year that the splay leg occurs. In
some herds, the incidence is much
higher in one sex than the other, and a
seasonal pattern may indicate that hous-
ing or management is not protecting the
sow herd against stress.
Recent research in Holland has
shown a remarkable decrease in leg
problems after the amount of feed re-
ceived per sow — a 14.4 per cent crude
energy ration — was increased from 2.4
kg per sow per day in early pregnancy up
to 3.6 kg per sow per day at farrowing.0
Ed Barrie
Swine Specialist, Perth County
KUBE (Precooler) Owners say
Walter Mcllwain, R.R. 2, Goderich,
purchased K30 KUBE KOOLER
in March, 1987.
" The first milking in the
tank, the milk temperature
never gets above 600 F.
The cooling unit runs
45 minutes to 1 hour less
per milking than before
KUBE KOOLER was
installed.
KUBE KOOLER is
simple to operate,
with no maintenance."
r
Me can
make r cats wrath
SURGE
HURON DAIRY EQUIPMENT LTD.
R. R. 4, Seaforth, Ont. NOK 1 WO
519-527-1935
FOR LONG LASTING PASTURE
AND HIGH DAILY GAINS
OAC MINTO ALFALFA
• Highest Yielder for Northern Pastures
•Excellent Winter Hardiness
VENTURE GRASS
• Improved Low Alkaloid Reed Canary Grass
• Highest .Yielding and Most Persistent Cool
Season Grass, Giving Highest Daily Gains
ALEXANDER TIMOTHY
• Broad Leafed Variety with Upright
Growth Habit for High Yield
and Persistence in Pastures
SEEDS
HARRISTON, ONTARIO (519) 338-3840
SEPTEMBER 1987 53