When pig barns are remodeled, careful consideration to the animals’ safety and well-being are often taken into account. However, it is also important to keep the people who are working with the pigs in mind.
Alltech U.S. Swine Business Manager Russell Gilliam discussed considerations on remodeling pig barns on May 24 during ONE 17, the Alltech Ideas Conference, held in Lexington, Kentucky.
In many instances, attention to worker considerations will lead to better pig performance, according to Gilliam.
Pig pens
“A lot of times we select our penning equipment based on the actual animals in the barn, but we may forget about our workers,” explained Gilliam.
Walk-through gates are a technology that is really catching on, he said, and they should be considered for remodels.
“Some of our employees might not be able to climb over the gates,” Gilliam said. “This makes it easier to get in and out of the pens, which leads to better animal care and increased performance.”
Lighting
Pigs do not see particularly well in the dark, Gilliam said, so good lighting placed in key locations such as where the pigs can eat and drink are important.
But lights are another area where farm owners must be considerate of the workers. Good lighting “improves their mood,” he said, which could also lead to better animal care and performance.
Slats
Attention to slats are also important, not only in terms of performance, but also for safety of both the hogs and the farm workers.
Gilliam said to monitor the slat thickness, as he has seen some slats flex when a person walks across.
“If your slats aren’t thick enough to hold your employees up, what happens when a 400-pound sow walks across there? Or what happens what happens if you’re walking across there while you’re walking a sow across there, and you both go in the pit,” Gilliam asked rhetorically.
