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New or Renovate Hog Barns
Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Production by student on June 25, 2018
Author: Dr. John Carr and Harry Siemens
Reference: Prairie Hog Country – October/November 2017
Summary: One perplexing question that producers find themselves facing is – to build new or to renovate. When a farm is planning to expand the question is really do they revitalize the old building, developing it up to the new codes of practice, or do they just completely rebuild a new barn. This question can be challenging as a renovation, depending on the state of the “old barn” will cost around 70% of the new building.
Dr. John Carr, international consultant and livestock veterinarian, discusses utilization of the passageway. According to Carr, the passageway on most farms accounts for 10-20% of the space in the entire room. Although a passageway with slats is more convenient, as this would allow for directly allowing the pigs to utilize the space. A solid concrete floor is likely to encourage defecation on the cold surface. However, this can be mitigated by moving the feeder to the clear concrete surface, which also creates more room for the pigs to sleep.
Another thing to consider when renovating is the ventilation system, according to Carr:
- Farrowing house and nursery are often interchangeable,
- Finishing and gestation are often interchangeable,
- and a gilt house and finishing house are often identical
When building new, he recommends fully slatted floors, making them uni purpose.