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Hi we have a sow about to farrow and we have moved her into a nice clean stable with a bit of straw on rubber matting, now the question is do we need to provide a heat lamp and farrowing rail ? i can see the rail is realy a must but for those farrowing out doors do you use heat lamps ? we have no electric so would need to run a generator round the clock .
After reading the new cross compliance rules, they state that a rail and heat sourse away from the sow is a must ? cant see heat lamps in outdoor pigs huts .
comments from you experienced outdoor pig people would be great thanks shepie
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farrowing
Started By
shepie
, 04 Jan 2012 10:47
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#2
Posted 04 January 2012 - 12:12
Cornish Gems
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- Book Owners
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- 1,597 posts
Lord and Lady of the Manor
- LocationCornwall (formerly Devon)
Shepie, Happy New Year to you. We have recently had a sow farrow in an outdoor ark, the farrowing rails were great and did their job, we supplied a heat lamp run by gennie during the night for the first 3 nights but as the nights got warmer we have left it off. They snuggle up to the sow for heat and to each other, now that they are 3 weeks old I doubt we shall use the lamp at all now unless it goes below freezing. Piglets are very robust and hardy.
It will also depend upon the breed ours are GOS and they thrive outside.
Regards
CG
It will also depend upon the breed ours are GOS and they thrive outside.
Regards
CG
#3
Posted 04 January 2012 - 14:26
Mr Mac
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Duckling
Hi Shepie,
we farrow Old Spot pigs all year round outside,we do not use heat lamps.
As CG says some breeds are more suitable than others .
Adequate ventilation is a must as they generate a lot of heat which can turn to condensation. All our arks are fitted with scaffold bars as protection from squashing,this works very well.
Hope this helps.
Mac
we farrow Old Spot pigs all year round outside,we do not use heat lamps.
As CG says some breeds are more suitable than others .
Adequate ventilation is a must as they generate a lot of heat which can turn to condensation. All our arks are fitted with scaffold bars as protection from squashing,this works very well.
Hope this helps.
Mac
#4
Posted 04 January 2012 - 17:44
shepie
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Lord of the Manor
Hi Thanks and Happy Newyear to you too , we are farrowing in a 12 ft by 12 ft stable, i have now made a creep area with a heat lamp over and put some rails around the two sides of her nesting area and insalled a light all linked to a genny ready to go , they are GOS too, i will wait for her to farrow and then run the heat lamp for a few nights as CG say i did this with my chicks for their first few nights and then left them without and never lost one .
Thanks Shepie
Thanks Shepie
