WEDA Dammann & Westerkamp's Smart.Scope 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.
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.
