Farm Structure and Equipments

• Learning about swine farm structure and equipment is essential for veterinary medicine students for reasons like:

  • Understanding Animal Welfare
  • Effective Veterinary Care
  • Disease Prevention and Management
  • Optimizing Production Efficiency
  • Regulatory Compliance
• Farrowing crates are individualized enclosures designed to house a sow and her litter of piglets during the farrowing (birthing) process
• Farrowing crates help reduce piglet mortality rates and improve overall sow productivity by providing a safe and controlled environment for farrowing and nursing
• Gestation Stalls confine pregnant sows during the gestation period, typically lasting around 114 days
• Gestation Stalls allow for individualized monitoring of sow health and behavior, facilitate efficient feeding management, and reduce the risk of injury or competition among sows
• Nursery Pens accommodate weaned piglets after they are separated from the sow, typically around 3-4 weeks of age
• Nursery Pens allow for socialization and interaction among piglets, facilitate early detection of health issues, and promote uniform growth and development before transitioning to finishing stages
• Finishing Barns are designed to accommodate growing and finishing pigs from approximately 18-20 kg to market weight, typically around 90-120 kg
• Common problems arising from not following spacing requirements in swine housing facilities include:

  • Increased Aggression and Fighting
  • Stress and Behavioral Issues
  • Reduced Feed Intake and Growth Rates
  • Increased Risk of Disease Transmission
  • Poor Manure Management
  • Decreased Reproductive Performance
  • Increased Risk of Injury and Lameness
• Finishing barns are designed to accommodate growing and finishing pigs from approximately 18-20 kg to market weight, typically around 90-120 kg

  Prioritizes space allowance, air quality, and waste management to support healthy growth, minimize stress, and maximize feed conversion efficiency in finishing pigs
• Nursery pens accommodate weaned piglets after they are separated from the sow, typically around 3-4 weeks of age
• Nursery pens allow for socialization and interaction among piglets, facilitate early detection of health issues, and promote uniform growth and development before transitioning to finishing stages
• Gestation stalls confine pregnant sows during the gestation period, typically lasting around 114 days
• Gestation stalls enable individualized monitoring of sow health and behavior, facilitate efficient feeding management, and reduce the risk of injury or competition among sows
• Farrowing crates are individualized enclosures designed to house a sow and her litter of piglets during the farrowing (birthing) process
• Farrowing crates help reduce piglet mortality rates and improve overall sow productivity by providing a safe and controlled environment for farrowing and nursing
• Equipment for animal husbandry:

  • Furrowing crates
  • Drinking nipple
  • Power sprayer
  • Weighing scale
  • Thermometer
  • Fans/ blower/ exhaust
• Additional equipment:

  • Waterer
  • Wind breaker
  • Ear notches
  • Syringe/needles
  • Feeder
  • Heat Lamp & brooders