Happy sows, happy piglets. The Wilkin’s Free-farrowing pen is the product of an eight-year evolution and works well for sows, piglets and stockmen.
Why the push for freedom must be given time Jane Jordan reports
F
arrowing crates continue to dominate the government’s animal welfare agenda and Defra has stated it wants to reach a point where farrowing crates are no longer necessary. Non-government organisations (NGOs) want a complete ban on crates and total free-farrowing by 2027. The NPA, however, is fiercely campaigning for a much longer transition phase – up to 30 years. This extended time scale will allow a voluntary approach to the phasing out of crate systems and for meaningful research and development and trial work to be carried on suitable alternatives. NPA also wants more clarity on what systems will be permitted long term, and for any new welfare legislation to endorse the use of temporary crating, where sows can be restrained when necessary, such as during the first few days post-farrowing and for treatments such as vaccination.
16 PIG GUIDE 2022
Pig producer Matt Wilkin has been freefarrowing sows on his breeding unit for around eight years. The family business has developed its own fully-slatted farrowing system and has been sharing their management experience and how pen design and functionality has evolved with industry stakeholders and other interested groups for a number of years. The 2,100-sow business initially replaced some traditional crates with 360-degree pens, but overtime has modified the system to suit their own requirements. Refurbishing and converting the farm’s crated accommodation has been a steady reinvestment programme and it now farrows 80% of the breeding herd in freefarrowing pens. It plans to replace the remaining crates during the next six to 12 months. But unlike other pig businesses, the Wilkin’s decision to free-farrow has been about protecting capital investment and future proofing their business.
