1 just started:)

[Gotpigs]

 

[Gotpigs]

Had 15. All good strong piglets bless her she done well.

 

[Cab-over Pete]

Like a townie, I love piglets, they're ace.

I just can't help smiling when I watch them. I don't really know why because I have no desire to keep pigs, but they just tickle me.

 

[Deereone]

Great photo.

Not a criticism, just curiosity, but weren't farrowing crates phased out/banned?

 

[Gotpigs]

Will add a few more later when got time, no can't say Iv ever heard of them being banned. Mine go in for 2 weeks no matter what. The chances of them not sitting/hurting a piglet are a lot more slim. If it means it saves 1 life it 1 life worth saving. Each to there own though.

 

[unlacedgecko]

Great photo.

Not a criticism, just curiosity, but weren't farrowing crates phased out/banned?

No. Sow or gestation crates were banned in the UK in 1999. Attending crates were also banned. But the use of farrowing crates is still permitted.

However, the industry is being urged to move away from them. There are alternatives out there, but they are very expensive. IIRC Newcastle University were involved in experiments with high welfare farrowing pens, which would still enable the weaning of large numbers of piglets.

 

[Deereone]

Thank you

 

[Suffolk Serf]

No. Sow or gestation crates were banned in the UK in 1999. Attending crates were also banned. But the use of farrowing crates is still permitted.

However, the industry is being urged to move away from them. There are alternatives out there, but they are very expensive. IIRC Newcastle University were involved in experiments with high welfare farrowing pens, which would still enable the weaning of large numbers of piglets.

Meanwhile, quite a lot of producers, 40% of the UK so herd in fact, farrow outdoors in little more than a couple of bits of curved tin and a decent amount of straw. It works. All of this research has struggled to find anything that matches that.

Most of the worlds commercial pigs farrow in crates and I can't see that changing, so why should UK producers? They are good piglet welfare.

 

[unlacedgecko]

Meanwhile, quite a lot of producers, 40% of the UK so herd in fact, farrow outdoors in little more than a couple of bits of curved tin and a decent amount of straw. It works. All of this research has struggled to find anything that matches that.

Most of the worlds commercial pigs farrow in crates and I can't see that changing, so why should UK producers? They are good piglet welfare.

I agree with you. I worked in the farrowing house of a 1200 sow unit.

 

[Gotpigs]

All doing well

 

[Headless chicken]

I must admit I really love seeing piglets. Hate the little barstewards but seeing someone else's is brilliant

 

[unlacedgecko]

I must admit I really love seeing piglets. Hate the little barstewards but seeing someone else's is brilliant

Even in the purgatory of the farrowing house they always made me smile.

They're like puppies. Great to see/laugh at but awful to have.

 

[Northernirelandfarming]

No. Sow or gestation crates were banned in the UK in 1999. Attending crates were also banned. But the use of farrowing crates is still permitted.

However, the industry is being urged to move away from them. There are alternatives out there, but they are very expensive. IIRC Newcastle University were involved in experiments with high welfare farrowing pens, which would still enable the weaning of large numbers of piglets.

Is there any info on this I could at?

 

[Man_in_black]

Meanwhile, quite a lot of producers, 40% of the UK so herd in fact, farrow outdoors in little more than a couple of bits of curved tin and a decent amount of straw. It works. All of this research has struggled to find anything that matches that.

Most of the worlds commercial pigs farrow in crates and I can't see that changing, so why should UK producers? They are good piglet welfare.

Yep. Simplest thing, daily flatten the straw sow has banked up the sides, this cuts down on squashing. That said we never left a sow nursing 15, litter of 15 would have 4 taken off at day old & fostered on.