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Industry Voice by Automated Production | Jun 01, 2022

Feeding Your Sows in Pen Gestation

For most of us, housing sows individually is a familiar system. Individual pens have been used to make many processes more manageable, including vaccinations, pregnancy and heat checks, and feeding, just to name a few. With recent market pressures, more and more producers are interested in pen gestation for their sow barns.

What is pen gestation? Pen gestation is just the term used to describe the loose housing of sows. This setup allows them to move around more freely and interact with other animals, as sows are social animals. While they will fight to establish a hierarchy, they interact reasonably smoothly once they determine who is in charge.

Submitted By AP – Sioux City The modular nature of the GSF system makes it the ideal system for retrofitting partially slatted barns.

The modular nature of the GSF system makes it the ideal system for retrofitting partially slatted barns.

An electronic feeding system is an efficient way to feed sows in pen gestation. Gone are the days of pouring feed out and hoping everyone gets their share. Today, we have access to tools that can help us ensure each sow gets exactly the ration she needs. An electronic feeding system, such as AP’s Gestation Sow Feeder (GSF), allows us to do just that. Here are just a few advantages of using an electronic feeding system in pen gestation.

Submitted By AP – Sioux City By using a computerized feeding system, producers can see data on who’s eating and how much is consumed, keeping a better eye on herd health and efficiency.

By using a computerized feeding system, producers can see data on who’s eating and how much is consumed, keeping a better eye on herd health and efficiency.

So, what should you look for when choosing the right electronic feeding system for your sows in pen gestation?

Submitted By AP – Sioux City An RFID tag adjusts the feed schedule and ration to that animals individual needs. Changes can be made on the smart wand display by scanning their ear tag. There are many options out there for feeding your sows electronically. Here are some of the critical attributes your setup should have.

An RFID tag adjusts the feed schedule and ration to that animals individual needs. Changes can be made on the smart wand display by scanning their ear tag.

1. Open access with precise delivery Look for a system that allows sows to eat when they want to and ensures they are getting the correct ration for them - and your farm’s productivity. A feeder that uses RFID tags can accomplish this.

2. Sturdy design Find a system made of heavy-duty materials by a company that understands the wear and tear a sow barn takes on. AP’s GSF is made of heavy grade galvanized and stainless steel and made to set up in existing barns with partial slat floors.

3. Easy-to-read display If you can’t use it, you don’t need it. Prioritize the usability of a system in your decision-making. Features such as a large display and easy swapping between languages make the system a more usable product for many operations.

4. Cloud connectivity Look for an electronic feeding system that lets you easily see and change settings no matter where you are. You can’t always be in the barn, so a system with mobile accessibility helps your barn run smoothly, whether you’re in the pen, the office or at home. You also can share the data with sow management software systems.

Submitted By AP – Sioux City GSF provides extensive feed management control with the ability to customize the feeding requirements of each individual sow.

GSF provides extensive feed management control with the ability to customize the feeding requirements of each individual sow.

AP has electronic feeding solutions for your sows.

Whatever way you feed your sows, AP has the right options to fit your operation. Our Gestation Sow Feeder (GSF) checks all the boxes mentioned above, while combining a focus on animal welfare and nutrition with our first-in-class service and experience. To learn more about what AP offers, contact your local dealer or visit us online. 

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