Pregnancy checking – extension

 

While pregnancy checking either loose sows or sows in confinement it can be a struggle bending down to place the probe in the correct fold on the sow’s side.  This simple extension can be made which saves the operators back and increases the health and safety of the operation.

The extension arm and probe can also be covered in a thin plastic cover – thus increasing the biosecurity aspect – vital if you share a pregnancy checking machine.

 

Placement of the probe’s head has to be quite accurate to ensure good imaging

Using an extension allows the probe to be places accurately without the operator bending down, very useful for loose sows and also for restrained sows – as shown above.

Note probe wire held in place by cable ties.

Pipe cut into a long and short piece with a angle pipe

Cut a slot in the short piece and angle – to take the probe and cable

The probe in position.

The cable runs on the outside of the long pipe held by cable ties.
Cover the whole extension with a plastic slieve for biosecurity enhancement