Research projects

    Comparison of different farrowing crates

    Hagmüller Werner, Dr.

    Dr. Werner Hagmüller

    Management organic pig

    Behavior of sows in individual farrowing (modified FAT-2 pens) and group farrowing pens is analyzed using video technology and direct observation.

    In organic pig farming, farrowing with sows that are not restrained represents a particular challenge. Many farms have installed free farrowing pens based on the FAT-2 system due to their high level of functional reliability. This pen was developed at the Tänikon Research Institute (CH) and equipped with an outlet for the organic sector. Both individual and group farrowing are practiced at the Wels location. The aim of the investigations is to compare these two systems under the conditions of the Wels/Thalheim test site. The biological performance data of the animals such as total piglets born per litter, piglets born alive per litter, losses in the first days of life, causes of loss, prenatal behavior, nest building behavior, birth duration, etc. serve as measurement parameters.
    farrowing pen

    farrowing pen

     HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein
    Institute 3 - Animal, Technology Environment