The Rural Voice, 1988-04, Page 55ADVICE
sow. Savings paid for the cost of the unit
within 18 months.
To ensure that the sow has an
adequate milk supply she must have a
balanced dict and plentiful water. It was
suggested that the flow through the
water nipple should be no less than a
litre per minute. Checking the nipples
daily is a must.
U.K. research has found that floors
are very important in the farrowing
house. A rough floor harbours disease
organisms.
A solid floor in the farrowing crate
resulted in a two per cent decrease in
mortality. Cold, Lightfoot said, pene-
trates from under a floor. Sows on
slatted or perforated floors therefore
need extra heat.
Solid floors, however, have disad-
vantages. Sows playing with water
make the floor wet, for example. One
solution is to mount the drinker low so
the sow is less apt to play. Lightfoot,
who prefers half -solid floors, proposed
a capped bowl.
Lightfoot objected to a design for a
farrowing crate by well-known British
swine guru John Gadd, who advocates a
creep area in front and to the side of the
sow. Lightfoot said his studies have
shown that young piglets spend a large
percentage of their time at the udder, and
it appears that the distance to the front of
the crate is too long. He proposed side
creeps close to the sow.
One research study using television
surprised the Huron County farmers. It
was shown that most crushing occurs
when a sow is startled and sits up while
nursing. The piglets, especially the
bigger ones, cling to the teat. When the
sow lies down again, the best piglets are
crushed. Lightfoot warned producers to
be quiet entering the barn.°
Adrian Vos
U.S. BANS ALL -
TERRAIN VEHICLES
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission has reported that, in the
past five years in the U.S., more than 900
people have died in accidents involving
all -terrain vehicles. Nearly 7,000 inju-
ries have been reported monthly.
The vehicles have been removed
from the market, at least until safety
standards are implemented.°
FORTRESS FEEDERS
Shown here
Model 4
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(unpainted)
• Excellent durability
• Patented agitators to prevent bridging
• Guaranteed to handle any type of hog feed
• Available in market hog and weaner size in any length
• Buy direct from the manufacturer
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519-523-4555
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519-323-1545
APRIL 1988 53