Sow units
Future sow housing comprises penning for loose sows, which means that the load on equipment is higher as compared to housing in stalls. . Therefore, our equipment is made with extra thickness to ensure long durability. We have many years of experience in both development, design and layout of loose housing systems for sows and our specialists can support with the latest knowledge in the field.
Mating unit
Danish legislation stipulates that sows be kept loose or in groups from weaning until farrowing except for 3 days during insemination in sow housing established after 2015. . . From 2035 all pig unit must comply with these requirements. See the legislation here.
The mating unit represents the first stage in the sow reproduction cycle, and it is used for insemination of gilts and sows. Boars are housed in pens with limited contact to gilts and sows. During insemination the boar might be used for stimulation of estrus in the females by moving in front of the mating stalls. Blocking gates are used to control the location of the boar in front of the females which produces a strong behavioral effect showing if they are ready for insemination. Therefore, free access stalls are commonly installed as a safe housing system in new mating units since it allows control of individual feed intake, sow body condition while protecting the animals which is essential to obtain a high productivity
The design of the mating unit might vary. Often, the design includes an area with free access stalls and a lowered free space area with drained flooring and bedding. Sows and gilts are normally kept in the mating unit until 4 weeks after insemination and then moved to the gestation unit. For inspiration check out which design that might best suit your housing project.
Legislation text – Guidelines for animal welfare control in pig productions: space requirements, floor design, sprinkling, rooting materials etc.
Equipment for gilts and boars
Vissing Agro makes the market’s most robust solutions for sows, gilts and boars. The penning is designed to provide maximum stability and durability. The equipment might be designed in several different ways either as a panel/steelbar solution or in a strong 50 mm panel or as a combination of these. It is also possible to incorporate different types of open grids made of stainless steel or galvanized steel. Furthermore, the many combination options make it possible to adapt the penning to the slope of the floor, whether it is new or existing.
Gestation unit
About 5 weeks after mating, the sows are moved from the mating unit to the gestation unit. Here the sows will stay until approx. one week before expected farrowing. This means that the sows will stay about 11-12 weeks in the gestation unit. The gestation unit is designed for loose housed sows, according to the EU legislation from 2013. The sows will be loose housed in groups. The pens is most often designed with feeding in a trough or as floor feeding.
Outside the EU, where the legal requirements do not apply, ordinary stalls can still be used. We have taken into account the needs of the animals through the production phases. Ensured to have met Danish standard and legal requirements in our pen design and concepts during the gestation period.
Legislation text – Guidelines for animal welfare control in pig production: space requirements, floor design, sprinkling, rooting materials, etc.
Farrowing unit
The farrowing unit is the birthplace for the piglets. The farrowing unit is normally designed with one section for each batch of sows. Each section might include pens for nursing sows. Farrowing pens might have partly or fully flooring. Sows are moved to the farrowing unit about one week before expected farrowing and moved out again when the piglets are weaned typically 4 weeks after farrowing. At weaning, the piglets are moved to the weaner unit, while the sow is moved to the mating unit.
Legislation text – Guidelines for animal welfare control in pig production: space requirements, floor design, sprinkling, rooting materials, etc.
