Abstract: The number of piglets dying at birth is reduced by providing a temperature sensor in a farrowing crate at the piglet area thereof on a movable cover so that, when the sow is expected to give birth, the sensor is located in the crate at a location to detect the presence of one or more piglets after birth. On detection by a control unit using the sensor signal of the one or more piglets, the sensor communicates a signal to a pager carried by an operator indicating to the operator that birth of piglets is in progress and activates a heating lamp for the piglets in the pen to attract them away from the area of the sow to reduce crushing. The control unit and the sensor also control the heat output. The cover can slide along the piglet area and can lift to expose the piglet area.

Abstract: In a farrowing pen which includes a pit and over the pit a first floor portion on which the sow can stand and lie and two further floor portions on each side of the first floor portion for receiving piglets of the sow and confining walls for locating the sow on the first floor portion there is provided an apparatus for lifting the sow away from the piglets to prevent crushing. The apparatus includes a base carries above the pit on a cradle and a gas bag lift mechanism carried on the base above the manure and arranged to raise a plate carrying two parallel rails with the first floor portion thereon. An air valve extends through the flooring and is operated by pressure from contact with the sow for actuating the controlling the flow of the air. The rate of lifting is faster than the rate of lowering. A scissors lever arrangement mounted on the base above the pit acts to support and guide the floor on the bag.

Abstract: A pig pen has side walls joined together by end walls to form a substantially rectangular enclosure. An angled divider is pivotable inside the pen, having a first end pivotably arranged on a pivot on one end wall and second end attachable to any one of a plurality of mounts on the opposite end wall. The divider has a first straight portion joined at an angle to a second straight portion, and a lower bar attached with one end adjacent the first end and an opposite end adjacent the second end of the divider. The lower bar is shorter than the total length of the divider and arranged below it, to break the fall of a sow lying down on her side adjacent the divider to provide time for any piglets close to the sow to move away from the sow.