A German university research team has distilled the best features from a selection of European farrowing pen designs and produced a prototype that offers rubber-matted comfort instead of a crate
by NORMAN DUNN
Animal welfare pressure groups are increasingly calling for an end to farrowing crates on European farms and researchers across the continent are taking the threat seriously. They’ve already devised a number of innovative alternatives. In general, it’s been found that a crate-less farrow pen appears to encourage a more relaxed sow, giving perhaps more milk. Certainly, taking the crate away also leaves less dangerous crushing zones for piglets. It also offers a system needing less cleaning time and therefore lowering costs.