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: 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: 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: A heated flooring module is provided for livestock stables, which includes an upper plaque, for walking on, which is essentially level; a hollowed central section, with no bottom surface, whose upper surface is equipped with at least one continuous runnel, adapted to contain a heat source that enters and exits the runnel through respective entry and exit tubular segments, with the abovementioned hollowed central section equipped with suspension elements for being suspended from resistant elements such as the bars of a horizontal grid; and an optional under-lid, all of the above arranged in such a way that, when the upper plaque is welded to the upper surface of the hollowed central section, the continuous runnel forms an enclosed circuit which contains the heat source inside, leaving the under-lid fitted into the underside of the hollowed central section.

Abstract: A heating element (12) is described for use in flooring, preferably for pigstys (3). The heating elements consist of a liquid filled chamber (16). The liquid in the chamber is brought into heat transmitting connection with a conduit (24) connected with a heat source. The connection between the conduit (24) and the chamber (16) do not have to be pressure tight, as no pressure occurs in the chamber (16). Therefore, a relatively simple connection may be established and there will only be a small risk of leakage.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for use in enticing baby pigs (42) to rest and sleep at a safe distance from a sow (38) includes an elongated partition (12) with first and second elongated cuddle surfaces (16) that are disposed on opposite sides of the partition (12), first and second pig blankets (18) with first and second comfort surfaces (44). A base mat (20) that extends under the partition (12) and both pig mats (18), cooperates with cuddle walls (14) of the partition (12) to enclose a space (26) that extends below both pig mats (18) and their comfort surfaces (44), and between the cuddle walls (14) and their cuddle surfaces (16). One or more radiant panel heaters (46 or 52) having constant watt density per square meter are disposed in the enclosed space (26), being kept in a generally planar shape, or being curved to generally conform to the combined shape of the comfort (44) and cuddle (16) surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to rotary disc filters and in particular to sectors for such filters. Drainage channels are formed in broad, planar surfaces of the filter media support member of the sector, with the drainage channels being parallel and aligned toward elongate side channels at radial sides of the sector. The sectors have elongate side channels at radial sides of the sector. The side channels can be connected to the central shaft of the rotary disc filter apparatus so that fluid flows directly from the side channels to fluid handling means in the central shaft of the filter apparatus. The present invention further discloses planar drainage members made of elongate slats that are aligned side-by-side slats so that adjacent slats are interengaged fashion.

Abstract: A modular flooring system for stables is made up of a plurality of modules that each include a frame element (1) and an insertion element (30). Each frame element (1) is equipped with supporting profiles (6,7) intended for the support of the insertion element (30), which is placed in the frame element when in use. The insertion elements can be easily replaced in accordance with the type of animals expected to be walking thereon.

Abstract: An artificial sow apparatus that substitutes for a divider panel between the creep areas of adjacent farrowing crates and provides both heat and alternative food and liquid in close association with one another is described in two embodiments. In both embodiments, piglets from adjacent crates can cuddle against heated surfaces in close association with a gravity-fed solid pellet feed dispenser and a source of liquid. In the first embodiment, the heat is provided from a slanted wall of an enclosed heat-retaining, liquid-filled heater or radiator, and both the solid and liquid feed are available immediately above the heated surface (and are heated by the same radiator) in the form of a trough filled with feed pellets and artificial teats for dispensing liquid. In the second embodiment, both the liquid and solid feed are provided in adjacent troughs and heat is provided by a mat heater just below or just beside the troughs.