Individual Access Stalls: Choice & Shared Space
The barn is divided into four groups of about 70 sows, each on a five-and-a-half-week batch cycle. Pregnant sows have access to individual feeding stalls, but also a large common area bedded with straw (28 ft2 of straw space/sow). This allows each sow to eat in peace, while still providing freedom to move, lie, and socialize. “I like feeding them individually in the mornings,” said Marcel, “because I can see right away who’s not eating. And I like to see they need their own space, because there are sows that eat really fast and other sows are nibblers… I have much more consistent control.”
Feeding is done four times a day. Each sow receives a base ration, then Marcel walks through with a cart to top up animals that need more. Marcel is also trying to feed his sows hay bailage which provides high fibre, gut fill, and an additional form enrichment. “We’re supposed to eat our vegetables…They are omnivorous like us.” Working with his veterinarian, they are recording and closely monitoring the sows’ body condition scores to evaluate if feeding sows hay bailage can reduce the amount of concentrate feed, which can in turn reduce cost.
The barn relies on natural ventilation, with limited fan use to keep noise low. Straw bedding plays a critical role in winter comfort.
