Farrowing

Creating the right environment for sows and piglets

Farrowing is one of the most demanding stages of pig production. The sow needs a safe and comfortable environment around farrowing and throughout lactation, while newborn piglets need warmth, protection and easy access to the udder.

The farrowing unit therefore needs to bring several factors together: pen design, sow and piglet protection, feeding, water, flooring, heating, ventilation and practical daily management.

SKIOLD offers farrowing solutions for both loose sows and systems using farrowing crates, allowing the solution to be adapted to the farm's production strategy, building and management routines.

Farrowing pens designed around sow and piglet needs

The design of the farrowing pen has to accommodate two very different animals.

The sow needs sufficient space and freedom of movement, while the piglets need a protected, warm area where they can rest and reach the sow easily.

EFSA's assessment of pig welfare recommends housing sows around farrowing and during lactation in farrowing pens rather than permanent farrowing crates, because confinement restricts the sow's movement and behaviour. At the same time, the design of the pen needs to address piglet survival and provide appropriate protection for the litter.

This makes the relationship between sow space, piglet protection, layout and management particularly important.

SKIOLD farrowing solutions can be designed for:

• Sows housed loose throughout the lactation period
• Sows housed loose with temporary protection around farrowing
• Traditional farrowing crates
• Different pen layouts and building dimensions
• Dry or liquid feeding systems
• Integrated climate and heating solutions

Loose farrowing – freedom of movement with piglet protection

Loose farrowing gives the sow considerably more freedom of movement than traditional confinement systems.

However, freedom of movement alone does not make a good farrowing pen. The layout must also help protect piglets during the period when they are most vulnerable.

EFSA identifies crushing by the sow as an important welfare concern for piglets and has assessed the relationship between available space, farrowing systems and piglet survival. Its assessment indicates that well-designed farrowing pens can provide greater behavioural freedom for sows while achieving comparable piglet survival to conventional systems under appropriate conditions.

SKIOLD's loose farrowing pens are designed with this balance in mind.

Depending on the concept, piglet protection can be provided around farrowing and then reduced or removed as the litter becomes stronger. This allows the sow greater freedom of movement during the majority of the lactation period.

Our PN503 solution, for example, is designed for loose lactating sows and includes a solution for additional piglet protection around farrowing. After the critical period, the protection can be removed to give the sow full freedom of movement.

Farrowing crates – protection and practical management

Farrowing crates remain an established housing system in many pig farms.

A crate can restrict the sow's movement while providing a controlled environment designed to protect piglets and make daily management easier. The choice of housing system should therefore be considered together with the farm's production system, management strategy and future requirements.

SKIOLD farrowing crates are designed with adjustable dimensions and features that support inspection, access and piglet protection. The pen design also provides a dedicated creep area for the piglets.

Where a farrowing crate is used, EU legislation requires sufficient space for piglets to suckle without difficulty and requires loose farrowing pens to include means of protecting piglets, such as farrowing rails.

A warm and protected environment for piglets

Newborn piglets have different environmental requirements from the sow.

A dedicated creep area allows the piglets to rest in a warmer environment while the sow can remain in a cooler part of the pen. This separation is an important part of farrowing pen design.

SKIOLD farrowing pens can include covered creep areas with heating solutions and suitable flooring. The creep area is designed to provide a protected space for the litter while maintaining easy access to the sow.

The design of the creep area should also consider accessibility, cleaning and the daily work of the staff.

Feeding for the lactating sow and piglets

Feed requirements change significantly during lactation as the sow supports the growth of her litter.

A practical feeding system should make feed available efficiently while allowing the staff to monitor the sow and adjust management when necessary.

SKIOLD farrowing solutions can be combined with both dry and liquid feeding systems, depending on the overall feeding strategy of the farm.

For piglets, early access to feed can support the transition towards solid feed. SKIOLD offers feeding equipment and accessories that can be integrated into the farrowing pen.

Water access for the lactating sow

Water is particularly important during lactation, when the sow has a high demand associated with milk production.

The water system therefore needs to provide reliable access and be easy to inspect and keep clean.

SKIOLD can integrate drinking solutions into the farrowing pen according to the housing concept and the requirements of the farm. Options include additional drinking points for the sow and solutions designed around the needs of the piglets.

Flooring, hygiene and easy cleaning

The floor has to support the animals while also making it possible to maintain a clean and functional farrowing environment.

A combination of suitable slatted flooring and solid or covered areas can create different functional zones within the pen. The piglets' creep area, for example, can be equipped with a solid surface or rubber mat to provide a warmer and more comfortable resting area.

The materials used in the pen also influence everyday cleaning.

SKIOLD uses smooth composite materials in its farrowing pen solutions. The limited number of joints and smooth surfaces are designed to make the penning easier to clean and maintain.

Climate and heating for different needs

The sow and her piglets do not have identical temperature requirements.

The farrowing house therefore needs climate control that provides appropriate conditions for both. Ventilation removes heat, moisture and contaminants from the room, while local heating can provide a warmer environment for newborn piglets.

SKIOLD can combine ventilation, heating and climate control with the farrowing pen design. This creates a coordinated climate solution rather than treating ventilation and heating as separate installations.

Designed for efficient daily work

A good farrowing solution should work for the people running the farm as well as for the animals.

Staff need clear visibility of the sow and piglets and easy access for feeding, inspection, treatment, cleaning and assistance during farrowing.

SKIOLD farrowing pens are designed with practical access and visibility in mind. For example, the SKIOLD farrowing crate has detachable rear gates that can be operated from either side, supporting access to the pen during daily routines.

The positioning of feeding equipment, creep areas, gates and walkways can also be considered as part of the overall layout.

A farrowing solution tailored to your farm

There is no single farrowing concept that suits every farm.

The right solution depends on factors such as:

• Herd size and production system
• Loose or confined farrowing strategy
• Building dimensions
• Feeding system
• Climate and ventilation requirements
• Labour and daily routines
• Desired level of automation
• Future plans for the farm

SKIOLD combines penning, feeding, water, flooring, heating, ventilation and farm planning to create a complete farrowing solution around the individual farm.

Whether the goal is to introduce loose farrowing, optimise an existing farrowing unit or build a new facility, we can help develop the solution from planning through installation.

From farrowing to weaning

The farrowing unit is the starting point for the piglet's next stage of production.

Good coordination between farrowing, weaning and the following production stages can help create a more efficient workflow throughout the farm.

SKIOLD can provide solutions across the pig production cycle – from mating and gestation to farrowing, weaners and finishers – with feeding, climate, penning and digital management considered as part of the overall farm concept.

Real farms. Proven solutions.

SKIOLD solutions are already in use on pig farms of different sizes and production systems.

Prima Svin – Denmark
A large-scale pig farm project combining sow housing, feeding, ventilation, heating and other SKIOLD solutions.
Read the customer story →

Tybjerggaard – Denmark
A large Danish breeding operation using SKIOLD solutions as part of its modern pig production setup.
Read the customer story →

Looking for the right farrowing solution?

Whether you are planning a new pig farm, expanding an existing unit or looking to improve your current farrowing system, SKIOLD can help you find the right combination of equipment and solutions.

Contact us to discuss your project