The aim of the studies is to compare the 12 CCM machines to be examined with regard to practical questions such as practicality, cleaning, daily use and adjustability. As an important aspect, production-relevant economic data such as live weight gain, feed consumption and feed losses should also be collected.

A total of 3 piglet rearing runs are assessed per feeder and the runs are carried out directly one after the other. Approximately 20 piglets per pen are kept in the rearing compartment every 3 weeks for 8 weeks each.

The practical data collection is carried out in collaboration with Ms. Anja Weißnegger (editor of the trade magazine “The Progressive Farmer”). The HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein is responsible for the scientific support of the experiment (support in experimental planning, development of the methodology, creation of survey protocols) as well as data preparation and statistical analysis.

The results of this project are intended to offer agricultural practice a direct comparison of such automatic feeders for the first time and serve as a targeted selection and evaluation aid.

In addition, the assessment of animal welfare aspects (susceptibility to injury and documentation of injuries) should help to ensure that the keeping of piglets in the rearing barn is as animal-friendly and as low-injury as possible with regard to feeding.