Finisher pigs not using scrapethrough

[Massey mad]

hi as above we are having issues with a batch of finishers they are not using the scrape passage at all and mucking in the bedded area so we have to muck bedded area out very regular. Anyone got any tips or advice on how to get the pigs the muck in the passage? Thanks in advance

 

[Suffolk Serf]

That's one of life's great mysteries.
Surprised that your having trouble with that this time of the year though, normally a summer time problem.
A lot of newer finishing buildings have two dunging passages and the lying area joined right through and normally they use at least one side.
Some people flood the dunging passage to stop them lying there, which should make them crap there.

 

[Massey mad]

Yes funnily enough we tried the flooding approach (not intended) but just makes it a bit unpleasant in the shed that's all and they still crapped in the bedded area, not as much I admit

 

[Bury the Trash]

hi as above we are having issues with a batch of finishers they are not using the scrape passage at all and mucking in the bedded area so we have to muck bedded area out very regular. Anyone got any tips or advice on how to get the pigs the muck in the passage? Thanks in advance

whats the ventilation or like cold spots/draughts anywhere ?or the opposite stale air/corners too hot affecting them ?

we used to get it at times with weaners/growers that were bought in from different housing systems to ours and most corrected but some took awhile and some hardcore never got out of the bad habit till they went up the road.

best you can do really is keep scraping those areas and twice a day if poss I know its extra work...instead of straw at times we used to use wood shavings or sawdust even to try and dry them up.
it was worse at times when it was cold in one piggery and in another piggery when it was hot

 

[Massey mad]

I think the trouble is all triggered from the ridge cap which is directly above the centre of the bedded area, the ridge cap is actually opened up and this time of year cold air seems to plummet in but we need it off for in the summer. What can we do the keep air flow in summer but have it blocked up in winter?

 

[Bury the Trash]

Yes and a bit warmer would be a bit better FCR.
ideally something easily opened and closed but its not easy to fix on a ridge.. maybe a starting point if their purlins just near it to work with /fix to.?
,.

 

[Matt]

Ours seem to want to dung or pee under the cat walk. Got our blinds to open at 12 deg c. They have done this for several weeks now. Puzzling me as to why they are doing it.

 

[emd]

I think the trouble is all triggered from the ridge cap which is directly above the centre of the bedded area, the ridge cap is actually opened up and this time of year cold air seems to plummet in but we need it off for in the summer. What can we do the keep air flow in summer but have it blocked up in winter?

I have put up cheap tarpaulins over the top fastened up with ratchet straps. It might stop the cold dropping. U just have to watch if to low it creates a tunnel effect the u get drafts. But it does give them a nice warm area to lie under. Also I find not putting to much straw helps, just little and often. Just thoughts, hope helps, cos they can be frustrating. Some batches never do some never stop !!

 

[MickMoor]

When I was involved with pigs, we would clean the bedding area thoroughly, bed them down and feed with pellets scattered in the bedding for a few days. Seemed to work, but you have to feed nuts for a while