Pig Flow in brief

 

Batching

The key to pig flow is that all outputs are in batches – the basis of AIAO

What is a batch?

One batch is the number of weaners that are required to completely fill the wean to finish room (batch)

What are the common batch sizes

There are five major batch time intervals used in modern pig farms:

Weaning twice a week; once a week, every 10 days, every 2, 3 or 5 weeks

How many sows/batch will produce sufficient weaners to fill the wean to finishing area?

What number of weaners are needed to fill the nursery room in one go?

Sows per batch and approximate herd size  to produce a set number of weaners per batch

Batch time

0.5w

1w

2w

3w

5w

Sows/batch

Weaners per batch                       

Herd size (approximate)

 

50

260

130

65

45

30

5

100

520

260

130

90

55

10

200

1030

520

260

180

110

20

400

2060

1030

520

350

210

40

500

2570

1290

650

430

260

50

1000

5150

2570

1290

860

520

100

Farrowing room layout

Number of rooms required to allow for all-in/all-out

Batch time

0.5w

1w

10d

2w

3w

4w

Weaning age

 

 

 

 

 

 

3 weeks

8

4

 

2

 

1

4 weeks

10

5

3

 

2

 

5 weeks

 

6

 

3

 

 

Note several models will not work over the 52 calendar weeks or groups do not align.

For example mated sows will farrow 115 days later but a farrowing crate is not available.

How can I divide my existing farrowing area?

 

Examine the current room layout and number of farrowing crates that are available. 

Based the layout on the number of weaners that are needed and the batching opportunities of the room and farrowing crates

Example

Farm three rooms 40 40 21 crates no AIAO

Converted into five rooms of 20 20 20 20 20+1 with AIAO 200 weaners per batch

Physical division of the farrowing room to achieve AIAO

Pig flow farrow change kr

Pig flow farrow change wall copy

pig flow plastic door ca 1

Previous room

Plan of division required

Use of plastic sheets for the door between groups within previous room

The ventilation system in the farrowing area is the biggest problem on most farms. 

Having to walk sows pre-farrowing through an running farrowing room produces little risk to either the current room or the next group of piglets

AIAO around the farm

Once the farrowing area runs as an AIAO programme the rest of the farm can be adjusted to ensure that the numbers weaned is achieved batch after batch. 

What runs AIAO?

Gilt pool management is the key to managing pig flow

 

Pig flow in more detail