More welfare for farmers, piglets and sow www.vereijkenhooijer.nl 01
Index Introduction to Pro Dromi free range farrowing systems 01 Pro Dromi studies on welfare and natural behaviour 02 Pro Grip plastic slats 04 Pro Dromi Nanny piglet cubicle 05 Pro Dromi sizes crate and pen 07 Pro Dromi prices 07 Contact 08 02
Introduction to You will have more pleasure in your work if your pigs are healthy and happy! That s exactly what the 14 sow farmers thought, who developed the concept of the Pro Dromi farrowing crate. They wanted to work more easily and with more comfort for their animals, without compromising on the sow and piglet climate, nor on their economic efficiency. After over three years of research in cooperation with the Wagenignen University and Pig Innovation Center Sterksel, Pro Dromi has been developed and improved. Creating a successful concept for free range farrowing systems. Pro Dromi represents pig husbandry in which the natural behaviour and needs of the animals are taken into account as much as possible. The major need being increased (moving) space for the sow and piglets. In addition, other needs were also considered, such as providing the perfect climate for both piglets and the sow. Pro Dromi offers a separate climate for the piglets with the Nanny piglet nest. Creating a perfect, closed micro climate for the piglets, making it possible to create the perfect macro climate in the farrowing room for the sows as well. This separation of climates is the main success factor of Pro Dromi ; it reduces the piglet mortality in free range farrowing systems. Pro Dromi farrowing crates are available in three different configurations: Pro Dromi I is a traditional farrowing crate; Pro Dromi II is a farrowing crate in which the sow can walk around freely; and I ½, in which the crate is adjustable and the sow can be fixed, as well as set loose. 01
Studies on welfare and natural behaviour The main difference you will face when you change to a Pro Dromi farrowing crate is of course the free ranging of sows. Changing to a farrowing system in which the sow is not continuously between two bars, but has the freedom to walk around in the pen, instantly sounds like an improvement in welfare. But in addition to this, studies by Wageningen University actually show that when the sow has the freedom to walk around before and during birth, the duration of the birth (time between the first and last piglet) is significantly shorter and the sow will be less agitated and restless during it. With a shorter duration of the birthing, the piglets can get to the teat more quickly and get their share of the colostrum. Sufficient intake of colostrum is necessary for the newborn piglets as it strengthens them, improves their growth, decreases their need for antibiotics and thus reduces losses. However, as the graph illustrates, the amount of antibodies in the colostrum decreases quickly in the hours after the birth, so it is of utmost importance that the piglets get to drink it fast. A shorter duration of the birth will give even the last-born piglet a bigger chance to drink enough. lgg (mg/g colostrum) 80 60 40 20 VIC Sterksel (2014) 0 0 1 2 3 6 12 24 36 Time after birth first piglets (hours) 02
Another factor influenced by free ranging in the farrowing system was the suckling frequency. Piglets which were reared in a Pro Dromi II free range farrowing system suckled averagely 24 times a day, whereas the piglets from Pro Dromi I only did this 21 times a day. This was also apparent in the weaning weight and growth rate of the piglets, which were significantly different between the two systems. Piglets which were reared in the Pro Dromi II system, had a higher growth rate and were over 5% heavier at the moment of weaning. Furthermore, these studies showed that when the sow was in a free range farrowing system rather than a fixed one, the sow and its piglets had over three times as much nose-nose contact with each other. Pro Dromi I Pro Dromi II Sign. Weight at weaning (kg) 7,8 8,2 * Growth rate piglets (kg/day) 0,237 0,255 * Feed intake piglet (kg/piglet) 2,34 0,26 n.s. VIC Sterksel (2014) As stated in the introduction, the separation of micro and macro climate for the sow and piglets is of utmost importance to reduce piglet mortality in free range farrowing systems. Studies show that piglet mortality by crushing occurs more frequent in free range systems, than in farrowing systems in which the sow is fixed between bars. Therefore, a micro climate is necessary to provide the piglets with a place more comfortable to be in, than close to the sow. Reducing the possibility for the piglets to get crushed. Furthermore, by creating this secluded, warm space for the piglets, the temperature in the farrowing room can be brought down to 18 C à 20 C, which is the ideal temperature for the sow. An environment that is too hot for the sow will lead to heat stress and reduced feed intake. Therefore, the 18 C macro climate facilitates the optimal feed intake of the sow, and consequently optimizes its health, milk production and overall robustness and adaptability. For the complete overview of the Pro Dromi research results of VIC Sterksel, please visit www.prodromi.nl Feed/day (kg) 7,5 6,5 5,5 4,5 3,5 Agrifirm (2015) 2,5 18 23 28 Ambiant temperature (Celcius) ADFI-D9 to D19 (kg) ADFI- Farrowing- Weaning (kg) 03
Pro Grip Plastic slats Alongside the research and development of the Pro Dromi crates, Vereijken developed plastics slats especially for farrowing crates with loose sow housing. This Pro Grip slat combines the permeable profile of the Pro Step and Poly Pro slats with a more coarse high/low profile. Creating a slat which offers a comfortable and stable grip for both sow and piglets. Furthermore, the V-shaped underside of the perforation provides a perfect manure permeability and thus optimal hygiene. As a result, the floor of a Pro Dromi pen can be made entirely out of plastic slats, which is possible for loose sow housing and temporarily fixating the sows. When permanently fixating the sows (with the possibility of temporarily loose housing) is preferred, Vereijken advises to add cast iron slats beneath the sow. This will provide extra stability in the floor, and with our cast ironslats with toothed inlay, they fit perfectly and without relief in the Pro Grip floor. 04
Nanny Piglet cubicle As mentioned earlier, the Pro Dromi Nanny was created to provide the piglets with a secluded micro climate, while keeping the farrowing room comfortable for the sows and the farmer. The Nanny is a sturdy and double-walled plastic cubicle that enables you to create a warm and draught-free environment for your piglets, as well as a cool and healthy environment for the sow. It is cast in one piece, the corners have been rounded and it has a transparent cover all the ingredients that offer your piglets optimal comfort. Nanny is heated by a water bed which continues into the lower part of the walls, so that the corners and lower walls are equally warm and comfortable to lie against. Furthermore, the bottom is insulated so that the heat of the waterbed does not escape into the dung pit. Considering the increase in litter sizes to 14 à 15 piglets a litter and the new European standard to wean at 4 weeks, the size of the Nanny (160 x 75 cm) is made to realize a heated nest with an effective surface of over 05
1 m². Furthermore, it can contain 40 liters of water. To get a contact temperature of 30-34 C, the ingoing water temperature must be ca. 40 C. To guarantee and control this, Vereijken will provide a thermo-regulator, heath distributers and an online data log-in. In addition to the advantages for the animals, the Nanny also provides many benefits for the farmer. For example, because the Nanny is moulded in one piece, all corners are rounded and thus easy to clean. On top of that, because the Nanny is placed in the walkway in front of the farrowing pen, the piglets are easily caught when procedures need be done. Eliminating the need to enter each pen individually to catch the piglets and thus increasing the level of hygiene in the farrowing room. To further facilitate catching the piglets, the Nanny can be equipped with an Easy Catch system. With this system, one can regulate whether the piglets can walk freely in and out of the Nanny, or that they can get in, but cannot get out. 06
sizes Crate and pen For a pen with the possibility to alternate between loose sow housing and fixating the sow, ideally, the size of a Pro Dromi farrowing pen would be ca. 220 cm wide and 250 cm deep. Including the Nanny in front of the pen, this would be 220 x 325 cm. Dependent on the customer s wishes, the width can be brought back to 200 cm OR the depth can be brought back to 305 cm. To facilitate labour, the crate can not only alternate between loose or fixated housing, but also has the possibility to fixate the sow at the far side of the crate. Furthermore, the pen has an easy walk-in of at least 40 cm next to the Nanny: by sliding the penning separating two adjacent pens sideways, an entrance of 80 cm can be created effortlessly. prices Retail prices for the Pro Dromi free range farrowing system (including the Nanny) range between 1200,- and 1500,- per pen. This depends on the size of the pens, the amount of pens and the extras, such as the Easy Catch system and LED lighting in the Nanny. 07
Contact The separation of micro and macro climate for the piglets and sows is of utmost importance to reduce piglet mortality in free range farrowing systems. To achieve this, we are happy to discuss the possibilities to optimize both climates. For instance, to create a cool and constant macro climate in the farrowing room, the ventilation must be pre-conditioned and stable. We can offer you several solutions for this, such as ventilation through ground pipes or cooling plates. For more information on Vereijken s Pro Dromi free range farrowing systems, please contact us via the address at the right side of this page. We are happy to answer any questions, discuss any uncertainties, or help you designing your own Pro Dromi farrowing rooms. VEREIJKEN HOOIJER BV Specialists in Livestock Equipment Everbest 4c 5741 PM Beek en Donk The Netherlands Tel: + 31 (0)492 450 733 Fax: + 31 (0)492 450 400 K.v.K. nr. 58865233 www.vereijkenhooijer.nl www.vereijkenpigflooring.com www.prodromi.nl 08