The Rural Voice, 1998-10, Page 25crushing he sees an improvement in
sow health because the sows are able
to move around.
Looking at the sturdy design, Art
commented that he thought the crates
would stand up well.
The Gerbers built their own
kennels to make best use of the space
available. Kennels are small heated
boxes that allow the piglets to bask in
a clean warm environment while
saving costs for producers.
The kennels were tested at the
University of Guelph's Arkell
research farm in 1995-96 after
Dr, Schwarting spent a year at the
University. He developed the
kennels as part of the Niiertingen
System, pioneered at University of
Neertingen near Stuttgart, Germany.
The system was developed to meet
animal welfare concerns in Germany.
Animal welfare concerns in Germany
led to the banning of farrowing crates
and sows farrowing in group
situations which still led to piglets
being crushed.
The combination of the Canadian
and German systems seems to
provide a solution to two problems.
Dr. Schwarting found, from studies,
that piglets prefer lying very near to
their mother's teats in order to get
milk as quickly as possible,
especially in their first few days. For
this reason the warm air kennel
should be alongside the mother,
about 30 cm away from her teats, he
said. This allows all piglets an equal
opportunity to rush forward and
reach the teats when their mother
calls. This is important for smaller,
weaker pigs who normally reach the
mother too late to suckle.
When they step back from feeding
they feel the warmth of the kennel
behind them and have no trouble
finding their way back.
The kennels can also help cut
heating costs. Even if a traditional
250 -watt heat lamp is used it can be
attached to a thermostat to shut off
when the desired kennel temperature
is reached. The kennel cah hold in
the heat for a longer period of time.
Are people like the Webers and
the Gerbers leaders of a new way of
farrowing in the pork industry? Will
barns a few years from now be filled
with the new crates? It remains to be
seen but initial response seems to be
positive.0
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/41
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• Plastic lumber 1/14" thick by 6" wide plus
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P.O. Box 280 Wellesley, Ont.
519-656-2352 Fax 656-3252
OCTOBER 1998 21