Tips for optimal efficiency in sow and pig feeding
06-09-2011
Automation in pig and sow feeding determines the grower’s income to a very large extent.
Feed cost still amounts up to 70% or more of the production cost. Therefore the choice of the
feeding system must be very well considered. Stefaan Bekaert, Product Manager Pig systems at
Roxell, listed a number of interesting tips to help.
Which elements do you, according to your experience, consider the most important?
Actually, there are two major criteria:
reliability and
simplicity. As a pig producer you work with livestock, with living beings. You simply can’t
run the risk that feeding systems fail. Choose systems that have already proven their reliability
and that are simple to operate. The same is true for the feed transport system from the bins. These
are the best guarantees for efficiency on the farm.
How can you be sure?
Well, buy from renowned manufacturers. These people have incorporated their experience in
their systems. They have a name and an image to live up to. They are the best choice to achieve a
fast return on investment.
What do sow producers have to consider?
It is a fact that volume dispensers are by far still the most spread feeding systems for sows.
There are many types of dispensers on the market. I would advise people to look specifically at the
following details.
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How easy can you set the volume?
You should be able to adapt the feed volume in the wink of an eye. Our experience is that a
smooth manual slide with a handy grip is to be preferred above anything more complex.
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What is the minimum volume adjustment?
This setting gives you the minimum quantity of feed that can be adjusted per dispenser. It
is an indication on how accurate you can feed the sows.
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Check out the drop out of the dispenser!
A complete feed flow out is very important. There should not be any remainders of feed left
in the dispenser.
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Check out the opening and closing system of the dispenser!
It’s one of the most crucial parts of a dispenser. The closing system must shut off the drop
hole completely and securely. It is important for the filling up of the dispensers and should also
avoid that sows open the dispenser by pushing against the drop tube.
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Check the opening and closing mechanism on system level!
Opening one full dispenser easily requires a lifting force of 7 kg. 100 dispensers will thus
need a force of 700 kg. This puts a lot of pressure on the fill system and on the dispensers. Make
sure there is a reliable, solid transmission from the central opening system to the individual
dispensers. For instance, cables are sensitive to stretching and may require adjustment from time
to time.
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Consider the distribution auger above the dispensers.
The faster the dispensers fill up the less energy the concept is consuming.
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Can the system be cleaned easily and thoroughly?
A good hygiene is a guarantee for good end results. The ease in maintenance of the system
including the dispensers can ad tremendously to the hygienic conditions in the house. Dispensers
should have a smooth finishing without corners. Ideally the dispensers have a removable drop. This
facilitates a faster and better cleaning and drying. It also allows you to inspect and clean the
drop tube.
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Can you control the system and the animals in comfortable way?
The visual control is still a very important aspect in any field of animal breeding. An
immediate overview of the sows and the feeding system is necessary because they are linked
together. The health of the sow and her (future) piglets depend on your judgment.
What about meat pig feeders?
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A smooth and constant feed flow is of vital importance for a good feed intake!
A constant feed flow is the most influential factor for accurate feed adjustment and
constant feed availability of the pigs. Especially with mash, feed flow can be a problem. Check the
feed hopper and distribution system on this.
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How easy can you adjust the quantity of feed given?
You should be able to adapt the feed volume in the feeding pan in a jiffy. Inaccurate
adjustment of a feeder is one of the major reasons of feed wastage.
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Check out the ‘rank order’ at a feeder?
The rank order is the number of pigs you can put on a feeder divided by the number of
feeding places available. Pigs like to eat together so the higher the rank order, the more they can
eat together and do not have to wait. A low rank order may cause stress in the group. This may
result in ear and tail biting.
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Does the feeder have comfortable feeding places?
A comfortable feeding place allows one pig to eat without being disturbed by another pig.
Large feeding places with distinct separations are ideal. Make sure that a pig when eating cannot
block another feeding place.
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Which feed saving features does the feeder have?
An anti-waste rim, a large pan, accurate feed adjustment and separations between feeding
places can contribute considerably to feed savings.
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Is the feeder easy to clean?
Smooth and easy access to the exterior as well as to the interior part of the feeder is
important. Make sure that you or your employees can clean in a comfortable way. This has a very
high effect on the final cleaning result.
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In case you opt for a dry/wet feeder check the number of pigs per drinking place.
It should not be under 10 pigs per drinking place. Pigs must have access to fresh water in
all circumstances.
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Check if the water and feed supply do not interfere with each other.
A pig should not be able to fill up the drinking places with feed or spill water on the feed
dosing system. This would respectively block the supply of fresh drinking water or feed.
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Check if you can adjust the water flow of the nipples.
If the water flow is too high it can increase water wastage. If the water flow is too low,
it will reduce the feed intake.
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Check if you can clean the water supply system.
More and more additives are administered via the drinking system. This can accumulate
organic growth in the drinking lines. Flushing of the drinking line on regular bases becomes more
and more a common use in pig houses. Make sure that you can not only flush the main supply line but
also the nipples.
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Stefaan Bekaert: reliability and simplicity are main criteria in the choice of feeding
systems.
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Dispensers must be simple and reliable.
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Easy visual control is important.
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Feeder with distinct separations between eating spaces.
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