On farm visit last week we went to have a look at the farrowing houses after a new practice of inducing was put in place. Most of the sows were induced so they would farrow together on the Friday. However what the unit had not calculated for was the number of lights needed when everything farrows at the same time.
It is essential that you provide
lights at the back of the sow when she is farrowing and to the side if you feel
the crate needs extra heat.
When sows all farrow over a short
period the need for every crate to have 2 lights is realised, spread out
farrowing means you can juggle the lights within one room.
Have you checked your stock of
lights recently? Check for repairs, spare bulbs and total light numbers this
week.