Monitoring sows’ progress at farrowing has just got easier with a simple, free tool. BPEX has designed the 2TS Farrowing Disc to put beside sow pens during farrowing.
There are three coloured circles on the disc, one to mark the time over the course of 12 hours, the second to record how many piglets were born alive at the time they were last checked and the third to mark how many piglets were born dead.
Three movable arrows are used to show the sow’s latest
progress.
BPEX Knowledge Transfer
Manager Lis Ravn said: “Each time the farrowing sow is checked, the arrows can
be quickly adjusted on the disc so that all staff can see exactly how the
farrowing is going and decide if or when to intervene.
“Attention to detail during
farrowing is essential to get newborn piglets off to a good start and it has a
major influence on overall litter productivity, which is one of the key focus
areas for producers aiming for the 2TS target.”
There is also a space at
the bottom of the disc to write additional notes, such as use and timing of
inducement, interventions or treatments.
The disc can either be hung
above the farrowing pen on a string with a bulldog clip or attached to the pen
side somewhere visible and easily accessible. After each sow has finished
farrowing, the disc can be moved to the next farrowing sow and it is useful to
have several discs in each farrowing house.
To request farrowing discs
and a guide to using them contact Clancy Smith at kt@bpex.org.uk
or 0247 647 8792.