Crystal Spring Feeder Protocols Installation Instructions Starting Weaned Pigs Management Instructions Gro Master 402.493.4550 3838 North 108th Omaha, NE 68164
Crystal Spring Feeder Protocols Installation Instructions To ensure satisfaction with the Crystal Spring Wet/Dry Feeding System, the following instructions have been prepared for installing and maintaining the feeders. Feeder Placement Full Slatted Floors: The feeders should be placed a minimum of six feet (182 cm) from the aisle if perpendicular to penning, otherwise place feeders 18 inches(45 cm) from aisle to ensure the pigs can access the feeding spaces with ease. Placing the feeders reasonably close to the aisle facilitates easy observation of the feeders by the building caretaker. Partial Slatted Floors: The feeders should be placed a minimum of 18 inches (45 cm) from the slats. Pens will remain cleaner when the feeder is installed closer to the slats rather than the aisle. Open Gutter Flush: Place the feeders in approximately the same location in the pen as the partial slatted floors, 18 24 inches (45 60 cm) from the inner edge of the open gutter. Feeder Attachment Drop-rod brackets, U channels or angle irons work well in mounting (attaching) the feeders to the penning or posts. There are knock out holes in each feeder gable and holes in the center dividers for bracket attachments. TIP: Mount feeders level so the water does not pool in one end or either side of the feeders. A solid concrete pad poured under the feeders may be used to adjust for any excessive slope. Slat Saving Options: Option 1: Apply Vanberg Armor Coat Concrete Epoxy Apply Vanberg Armor Coat with sand to floor or slats around feeder to help prevent excessive wear. Vanberg Armor-Rock is an ideal product for preventing wear on slats or solid floors. Option 2: Rubber Mats on Both Sides of the Feeders Crystal Spring Feeder Protocols Installation Instructions 1. Prior to connecting water lines to the Crystal Spring Feeders, flush the lines to remove all foreign matter. TIP: Black or opaque hose should be used to connect the water supply lines. Hose that is clear or has no color allows the growth of algae, which will plug the water nipples. Use as little hose as possible to connect the feeder to the water supply line. Excess hose may become accessible to the pigs and get damaged. 3. Wrap Teflon tape on all threaded water pipe connections including the water nipples if the nipples are removed. Do not use pipe compound as it may leave particles in the lines, which could plug the screens and/or orifices of the water nipples. Attach the 90 elbow to the horizontal water line on the feeder to install the water pipe. TIP: Stainless steel threaded into a stainless steel fitting requires 4 extra wraps of Teflon tape. Stainless pipes, nipples and fittings are sized just slightly smaller than carbon steel to help reduce seizing. When threading stainless to stainless, be generous with the Teflon tape to avoid slow dripping leaks. 5. Begin water pipe installation by attaching the 90 elbow to the horizontal water line on the feeder. 6. Complete the installation by securing the top of to the vertical water pipe to the feeder with the pipe strap. TIP: Supplemental drinkers in the pens are not recommended unless pigs weigh in excess of 180 pounds and housed in less than 7 square feet/pig space or with a building temperature in excess of 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29 degrees Centigrade).
Crystal Spring Feeder Protocols Installation Instructions cont Water Pressure Regulator Feed Drop Tubes 1. Install a Ziggity Pressure Regulator Model 101 to control water pressure and assure that just the right amount of water is being supplied to the pigs. These regulators should be set to maintain a pressure of 2-5 and 6-10 psi, wean and finish, respectively 2. Install Ziggity Pressure Regulator flat or level with water flowing in one end and flowing out the end with the gauge at the top - A pressure relief valve is recommended to be placed immediately after the regulator outlet valve on the water line 3. Adjust pressure up or down as determined by the length of the water line, the number of pigs per regulator and the quality of the water. NEVER adjust the Ziggity pressure reducer with the water flowing to the regulator. There are parts that can be damaged if the adjustment nut is turned under pressure; the result will be water shooting out the sides of the unit. Prior to adjusting pressure, turn off the water supply to the regulator, then open a valve or outlet down the line to reduce any pressure that may be in the line. Then turn the adjustment nut the appropriate direction. TIP: No more than 700 pigs per regulator To minimize the opportunities for the pigs to remove the drop tubes from the feed hopper. Feeders manufactured BEFORE 2006 1. Position drop tubes 6-10 inches (15-25 cm) below the top of the feed hopper. 2. Secure feed drop tube to the feeder by placing a rod inside the tube that extends down into the feeder and sits on the shelf OR by using cable, wire or tie straps attached to the feeder or a cross bar placed at top of feed hopper that has a tube holder. Crystal Spring Feeders made after 2006 have a which secures the feed drop tube without any other adjustment. Feed Shelf Adjustment 1. Adjust and open shelf enough to allow feed to fill the space between the raised outer lip of the shelf and lower edge of the feed hopper. Size Pigs Ziggity Psi Wean-nursery 2-5 Water Flow Guidelines 1. Minimum water flow should be 16-24 oz (600-720 ml)/ minute/water nipple or approximately 2-3 cups/minute/water nipple for isoweaned pigs. The water flow should be 24-32 oz. (3-4 cups 720-960 ml) for Grow-Finish pigs. 2. If necessary, water flow may be increased and/or decreased by replacing the 1.8 mm orifice in the water nipple with a larger orifice such as 2.0 mm or smaller orifice such as 1.5 mm. 2. The shelf may need to be opened more for meal or mash feed than for pelleted feed. The amount of additional fat and fibrous by- product ingredients will have an affect on the shelf opening. 3. The shelf opening should be set at notch 15-18(EZ Adjust) or 1-1 1/4 inch opening for starting pigs weighing 40 pounds (20 Kg). The feeder pan/trough should have a light layer of feed covering approximately 5/8 of the pan area. If there is an accumulation of feed in corners of trough or under divider bars, the shelf opening is too wide and should be tightened (narrowed). 4. Shelf opening should be adjusted (tightened) as the pigs begin to move more feed into the pan of the feeder. A notch setting of 8-10 may be required as pigs reach market weight. Types of Feed Shelf Opening EZ-Adjust Setting Mash Feed Milo High Fat Meal Felleted Feed 3/4-1 1/4 inch less than 3/4 inch 3/4-1 1/4 inch less than 3/4 inch 9-18 7-9 9-18 9
Crystal Spring Feeder Protocols Starting Weaned Pigs Starting Weaned Pigs Access to clean fresh water (ideally with vitamins and electrolytes) is critical for newly placed pigs in a new environment. Water Management 1. Weaned pigs placed on the F2 and WF9 Crystal Spring Model Series PLACE 1 2 inches of fresh water in the Crystal Spring Feeder Pan/Trough just prior to the pigs arrival. ADD water to the Crystal Spring feeder 2 to 3 times during first day, 2 times second day and 1 time on third day. Water should also be available through cups and/or a water pan that will provide clean fresh water. Weaned pigs should have water turned on to the Crystal Spring Wet/Dry Feeders at 2-5 psi 2 to 3 weeks after pigs arrival or after pigs are switched from pelleted feed to mash feeds. Weaned pigs should continue to have auxiliary water available for 2 to 4 weeks following pig placement. Length of time for turning off auxiliary water will depend on the feed texture, water quality and management. TURN OFF the auxiliary waterers 7 to 10 days after the water has been turned on to the Crystal Spring Wet/Dry Feeders. Auxiliary waters should be located near the feed mat and feeders for weaned pigs. 2. Place weaned pigs on the N2, WF and F16 Crystal Spring Model Series. See separate attached sheet TIP: Auxiliary water supply should be turned on when the pigs weigh approximately 180 pounds (82 Kgs) and the outside temperature is above 85º (29ºC). Feed Management 1. Locate feed mats 3 to 4 feet from the front edge of the feeders. 2. Feed should be placed on the feed mats 4 to 6 times daily for the first 3 to 5 days. 3. Feed should be placed on the feed mats 3 times daily from days 6 to 10. 4. Age and size of the pigs will affect the daily feeding schedule. 5. Feed a wet feed of mash or pelleted feed in temporary 4 to 5 foot troughs made from 5 inch diameter PVC pipes cut in half with end caps. These feed troughs need to be installed in a holder that keeps the open half of the pipe upright. The temporary PVC feed troughs should be removed from the pens 7 to 10 days after pig placement. 6. Locate these troughs within 3 to 5 feet of the mats and on the opposite side of the mats from the feeders. 7. Feed should be placed on the mats until the pigs start urinating and dunging on the mats at which the mats should be removed. 8. Feed should also be readily available from Crystal Spring feeders. The opening between top of the shelf and bottom of the hopper should be 1 1 1/4 inch (Feeder Setting 16-18) for mash feed and 7/8 to 1 inch (Feeder Setting 10-12) for pelleted feed. The size of the pellet will have an affect on the shelf opening.
Crystal Spring Feeder Protocols Management Instructions Too Much Water Poor Water Quality/Water No pressure regulator, pressure regulator set too high, incorrect pressure regulator, or pressure regulator is not functioning. Medication Feeders have run out of feed. Leaking nipple. Pigs are hot due to inadequate ventilation or lack of supplemental cooling system such as mister. Pigs are sick. Failure to wrap water nipple threads with Teflon tape when nipple removed and replaced. Nipple orifice size too large. Unpalatable water. Not Enough Water Pressure regulator set too low. Nipple orifice too small. Water system filter is plugged. Nipples plugged and need to be cleaned. Too many pigs per pressure regulator (if nipples are removed, be sure to wrap the threads with Teflon tape before replacing nipple.) Resolve water quality questions by submitting a sample of water in an approved container to an official water-testing laboratory and follow the advice of a health official or veterinarian. Install a by-pass system around the pressure regulator for medicated water. Low water pressure may cause the screens in the water nipples to plug. Many medications tend to settle when mixed in a stock solution. Care should be given to keep medicated stock solution agitated and to be sure the outlet tube to the water system is off the bottom of the container holding the stock solution. These practices will greatly reduce the potential for plugging nipples when medicating with water. Not Enough Feed If shelf becomes plugged with caked feed, use a rod to remove caked feed from the shelf so the feed will flow easily again. Shelf opening may be too small. The pigs will lick the feed shelf trying to get feed out until the shelf becomes plugged. Correct by lowering (opening) the shelf a notch/day until the feed flows without gumming. Remove old caked feed from all corners of the feed hopper to improve feed flow. Too Much Feed Not enough water. Shelf opening may be too wide allowing feed to flow off of the shelf into the pan. Feed is unpalatable. Check ingredients for freshness and molds. Also check for accuracy of mixing the feed formula. If there is a buildup of feed below the ends of the feed shelf in the pan, the feed savers, located under the shelf should be moved out toward the feeder sides. Loosen the nuts on the top of the shelf and slide the feed saver outward to
Crystal Spring Feeder Protocols Management Instructions cont Daily Checklist OBSERVE animal behavior 1. Observe the animals and inspect the feeders 1 2 times each day after placing pigs on feeder. 2. Adjust feeders (one notch at a time) after several observations if necessary. 3. Be sure the feeder adjustments at each end of the feeders are set in the same notch. The animals will manage a properly set feeder by cleaning up after each other. CHECK feed amount in pans 1. The amount of feed and water in the pan will vary depending upon activity at the feeder, the time of day and time of year. Most properly set feeders will always have a small amount of feed and water in the pan. 2. In a properly set feeder, about 1/3 of the bottom of the pan should be showing most of the time with 2/3 lightly covered with feed and/or water. Weekly Checklist CHECK water supply to Feeder 1. Minimum water flow should be approximately 24-32 oz (720-960 ml or approximately 3-4 cups (approximately 1 quart or 1 liter)/minute/water nipple. 2. Check flow in random locations and at end of water line. 3. If flow is too low in several feeders, increase pressure 1 PSI and monitor. 4. May be necessary to check water filter or nipples for plugs or restrictions. 5. Pressure 5-12 PSI start at 8 psi then monitor. 6. If water accumulates in the pan/trough, reduce water pressure 1 psi, then monitor. 7. Check for leaks and drips that may cause water to accumulate in trough. CLEAN shelf The feed shelves should be cleaned of gummed or clumped feed weekly or more often if needed by taking a 7/16 inch L shaped steel rod or the rod portion of a screw driver and moving it the full length of the shelf top. It may take 2 or 3 full feeder length cleaning movements to remove all feed clumps and/or gummed feed. Check water pressure Narrow the opening of the shelf Check feed for freshness and mold Check pressure regulator Check for leaky nipples cooling settings Is it a hot day? Check ventilation and cooling settings Are threads wrapped sufficiently with Teflon tape?