The Rural Voice, 2019-01, Page 23sows. Also in consideration
is a scratching pole which
she learned about from
another producer. “But the
bristles were too rough,” says
Tara.
Lengths of wood are
another option. The pigs love
it but wood’s tendency to
splinter makes Tara nervous.
Plus, she prefers toys that can
be easily cleaned and
sanitized as per strict
cleanliness and biosecurity
rules in place at Silver
Corners.
In some European
countries, tail-docking is
banned (see accompanying
housing and enrichment
devices story). These farms
are also required to use enrichment
devices that are 50 per cent natural
(wood, straw, etc). Pigs love straw
but the Terpstra’s manure handling
system makes use of straw and hay
difficult to manage.
Given the sows’ fascination with
the chains (they literally wait in line
to use them) Tara’s sows seem quite
pleased with their current enrichment
devices. Fighting and tail biting is
reduced and the pigs are calmer.
Once bred and ready to give birth,
the sows move into farrowing rooms
where the expectant mothers are
given a length of burlap to chew on.
This encourages their natural nesting
behaviour.
“We get 100-foot rolls from the
feed mill,” says Tara. “They chew it,
eat it, rip it or use it like a ‘dookie’ ”
explains Tara.
She believes the burlap has
reduced sow anxiety and it’s rare she
has to inject a sow with Stresnil to
them down during farrowing.
Once born, the piglets feast when
not exploring or sleeping on their
heated mats. Sometimes they can be
found curled up in the burlap.
“It smells like mom,” says Tara.
After 21 to 24 days, the piglets
move into the hot nursery where they
are grouped. It can be a stressful time
but the addition of a scented,
flavoured “PorkyPlay” toy keeps the
little piglets fascinated. Hanging
from the ceiling, the plastic disc toy
“eases the piglet’s aggravation and
January 2019 19
Simple chains hang from
the ends of the partitions
in the loose-housing sow
barn at Silver Corners Inc.
The enrichment devices
keep the sows occupied
for hours between feeding
and socializing (above).
Once moved into the
farrowing room, sows
receive a burlap “blanket”
from owner Tara Terpstra
(right) for enrichment and
to stimulate nesting
behaviour .