Group housing of lactating sows – concepts for sustainable sow management

More welfare for sows and piglets, more security for the farmer’s future! Under the name Agilo, Big Dutchman offers three new group housing systems for lactating sows: gilo HL A gilo FB A gilo RS A An important feature of all three systems is the large amount of space they offer for sows and piglets. In the service centre and gestation area, sows are already often kept in groups. But for lactating sows, group housing is much less common. This is mostly due to the fact that the requirements regarding animal management and monitoring of such concepts are higher. These requirements are compensated...

Simple and robust housing system without bells and whistles Agilo HL means a group housing concept where the farrowing frame remains open all the time after it is opened manually, i.e. it can only be closed manually by the staff. The sow’s trough can be installed close to the ground so the piglets learn from the sow how to feed from it. The drinker is also easily accessible to the sow and the piglets. Through a piglet access door, the young pigs can enter the group movement pen. Here, additional drinkers, feeders and enrichment material, or even a separate piglet area, can be offered. Agilo HL:...

Farrowing pen with free-access mechanism (patent pending) Agilo FB means a group housing concept where the sow can open and close the farrowing pen independently. She is thus able to eat and relax without being disturbed. A centralised free-access mechanism is also included, increasing comfort for the staff and reducing time required for animal inspection. The flooring and feeding systems in the group movement pen are identical to Agilo HL. The piglets also use piglet access doors to reach the group movement pen. Agilo FB: group housing of lactating sows in a large group movement pen The sow...

Group housing some days after birth Agilo RS means a group housing concept where the piglets are born in a separate farrowing house with farrowing pens. After some days, the sows and their piglets are moved into the group pens. Each pen has a large, well-structured area for the sows and piglets. Additionally, there is a separate piglet area. Generous openings provide the piglets with easy access to the sows. The sows, in contrast, cannot access the piglets’ creep. The sows have lots of room to move and can easily separate the pen into eating, activity and defecating areas. Specially designed...

What are the characteristics of the Agilo concept? 4 roup housing with separation option for g the sow, i.e. for Agilo HL and Agilo FB: farrowing pen with group movement area for sows and piglets; for Agilo RS: separation option for the piglets; 4  individual farrowing in the farrowing frame creates a good bond between dam and piglets and reduces losses caused by overlying; 4 an attractive group movement pen promotes the sows’ agility: higher feed intake, better condition and increased milk production; 4  piglets define their hierarchy long the before being weaned so there are fewer ranking fights...