Birth Monitoring and Heating System for Piglets

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.

1 . A method for use in raising pigs comprising:
 housing sows in farrowing crates where each farrowing crate has a sow containing area along which the sow can lie and where farrowing crate has at least one piglet area alongside the sow containing area for receiving piglets when born at a position in the farrowing crate spaced from the sow to protect the piglets from crushing;   the piglet area including a heating system for maintaining the piglets at a desired temperature for encouraging the piglets to remain in the piglet area;   prior to birth of the piglets maintaining the heating system in an off condition to avoid heating the sow;   detecting the presence in the farrowing crate of piglets immediately at birth of the piglets using a sensor;   providing a signal in response to a signal from said sensor which is sent to the heating system automatically causing the heating system to be turned on;   and creating a warm location to attract the piglets immediately after they are born thus attracting them away from the area of the sow where they can be crushed.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the sensor is a temperature sensor for communicating temperature data to the control system. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2  wherein there is provided a mounting assembly for the temperature sensor for mounting the sensor at the farrowing crate at a sensing position in the crate so as to detect temperature of piglets present in the farrowing crate after birth while avoiding detecting the temperature of the sow. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the control system is arranged for communication to a worker of a signal indicative of commencement of birth of the piglets. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the communication system of the control system communicates wirelessly. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the sensor is a remote sensor for location in the crate at a position spaced from the sensing position. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the sensor is mounted on a cover at the piglet area. 
     
     
         8 . A method for use in raising pigs comprising:
 housing sows in farrowing crates where each farrowing crate has a sow containing area along which the sow can lie and where farrowing crate has at least one piglet area alongside the sow containing area for receiving piglets when born at a position in the farrowing crate spaced from the sow to protect the piglets from crushing;   the piglet area including a heating system for maintaining the piglets at a desired temperature for encouraging the piglets to remain in the piglet area;   prior to birth of the piglets maintaining the heating system in an off condition to avoid heating the sow;   detecting the presence in the farrowing crate of piglets immediately at birth of the piglets using a movement sensor;   providing a signal in response to a signal from said sensor which is sent to the heating system automatically causing the heating system to be turned on;   and creating a warm location to attract the piglets immediately after they are born thus attracting them away from the area of the sow where they can be crushed.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8  wherein there is provided a mounting assembly for the movement sensor for mounting the sensor at the farrowing crate at a sensing position in the crate so as to detect movement of piglets present in the farrowing crate after birth while avoiding detecting the movement of the sow. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 8  wherein the control system is arranged for communication to a worker of a signal indicative of commencement of birth of the piglets. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 8  wherein the communication system of the control system communicates wirelessly. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 8  wherein the sensor is a remote sensor for location in the crate at a position spaced from the sensing position.