WEDA EuroTier Novelty 2022: WEDA Smart.Scope

For free access to the piglet nest and the sow

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In group farrowing, a piglet protection cage is usually attached to the front and back of the pen. This ensures good stability and protection of the piglet nest. To prevent a free-ranging sow from jumping into the piglet area, the rear walls of the pens must be high enough – a circumstance that can make work more difficult. For example, employees often have to climb over the walls when cleaning the compartment. This is time-consuming and also dangerous because people can slip on the wet bars. To overcome these disadvantages, WEDA Dammann & Westerkamp has developed the Smart.Scope group farrowing pen.

Telescopic piglet protection cage

The pen offers two central innovations: Firstly, the piglet protection basket is telescopic. Around birth, the basket is closed and pushed forward. This opens a gap at the side. This gives users free access to the piglet nest, the sow and the trough, just like in a conventional farrowing pen. When the animals are to run freely, the piglet protection cage is pulled back, locked and the doors of the pen are opened. The gap at the side is then closed. This protects the piglet area so that the sows and piglets can move freely in the group.

Safety for the barn staff

The second innovation is the new self-catching bar in front of the pen, which locks the sow in place after she enters. If she is to be held, the bar is folded horizontally into the exit of the pen by means of an air cylinder. When entering the pen, the animals can simply climb over the tube. As they cannot overcome it backwards, they are trapped in the pen so that staff can enter safely.

Safe access into the pen

The farmer now feeds a small amount of feed into the troughs via his feeding system. In order for the animals to catch themselves, the new self-catching bar is folded horizontally over the exit of the pen. The sows are lured into the pen by the feed, caught and the farmer can safely enter each pen. The tube is then placed vertically again so that the sows can move freely again.

Visit us from November 15th to 18th, 2022 at the EuroTier in Hanover at our booth D05 in hall 17.