Research Progress Report 267 September, 1966
Studies of Farrowing and Nursery Systems
H. W. Jones, W. L. Good, R. A. Pickett, C. N. Hinkle,
Raymond Daniel, J. E. Kadlec, and W. H. M. Morris
Departments of Animal Sciences, Agricultural Engineering, and Agricultural Economics

Summary
In two experiments (Fall, 1965 and Spring, 1966) the average number of pigs raised per litter to 21 days of age in six farfowing systems was not significantly different (P <.05). However, there were more pig deaths due to overlay in the individual portable houses and the 7 feet by 8 feet farrowing pens than there were in the other farrowing systems. Sows in the individual portable houses consumed more feed and produced heavier (1.11 lb.) pigs at three weeks of age.
A comparison of the weights of pigs at eight weeks of age showed that pigs weaned at six weeks of age and raised in a pole building were heavier than pigs weaned at three weeks of age and raised in an enclosed building with slotted floors or weaned at six weeks of age and raised in individual portable houses.
The enclosed slotted floor farrowing system resulted in the lowest cost per sow and litter during the first 21 days after farrowing, but the concrete floor enclosed systems and the portable houses were economically competitive with this farrowing system. The enclosed farrowing system with the pens had one of the highest cost per sow and litter because of the high labor and bedding costs.
The pole nursery with the pigs weaned at six weeks of age resulted in the lowest cost per pig for the nursery stage of three to eight weeks, but the enclosed slotted floor nursery system with pigs weaned at three weeks of age was also competitive. The individual houses with pigs weaned at six weeks of age resulted in the highest cost per pig. This was due to the high building, bedding and labor costs.
Considering both the farrowing and nursery periods, the slotted floor farrowing unit combined with the pole nursery unit resulted in the lowest cost per pig raised but the total slotted farrowing and nursery systems combination and portable houses used to 56 days were competitive.

Description of Buildings
Introduction to buildings - The experimental farrowing house and nursery units were designed to test several different management and production systems. These buildings are not totally adaptable to a farm production unit, but ideas and results from various experiments will contribute to future production practices and buildings.

Farrowing house - The farrowing house is a gable roofed, pre-fabricated, fully insulated
PURDUE UNIVERSITY • Agricultural Experiment Station • Lafayette, Indiana