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Weaners
A strong start after weaning
Weaning is a major transition for the piglet. The sow is removed, the piglets move into a new environment, their diet changes and they may be mixed with unfamiliar pigs.
The weaner unit therefore needs to provide a stable environment where pigs can adapt, eat, drink, rest and develop.
SKIOLD combines penning, feeding, water, flooring, ventilation, heating and management solutions to create weaner units designed around the needs of both pigs and people.
Designing the right environment for weaners
The first period after weaning is an important stage in the pig's development.
A well-designed weaner unit should provide clearly defined areas for resting, activity and dunging, while making feed and water easily accessible. The environment should also be easy to monitor, clean and manage.
Pen design, stocking density, flooring, ventilation and temperature all influence the conditions in which the pigs are kept.
SKIOLD designs weaner sections around these factors, taking the building, production system and daily routines of the farm into account.
Pen design that supports natural behaviour
Good pen design needs to work with the behaviour of the pig.
Pigs need space to move, rest, investigate their surroundings and interact with other pigs. The pen should also encourage pigs to use different areas for resting, activity and dunging.
A well-designed layout can make these areas more clearly defined and support a cleaner and more functional pen environment.
SKIOLD offers different penning concepts for weaners, including durable composite solutions. The penning can be combined with different flooring, feeding and drinking systems to create a complete solution for the individual unit.
The right layout depends on factors such as group size, building dimensions, feeding principle, ventilation system and manure handling.
Climate designed for the young pig
Climate is particularly important in the weaner unit.
After weaning, pigs have to adapt to a new environment while their thermal requirements are still different from those of older finishers. The ventilation system therefore needs to maintain an appropriate environment while removing excess heat, moisture and contaminants.
SKIOLD offers complete climate solutions for weaner units, including ventilation, heating, cooling and climate control.
The ventilation concept can be adapted to the building and housing system, including negative pressure, equal pressure, diffuse ventilation and tunnel ventilation.
The climate system can also be integrated with heating and cooling to provide greater control of the environment as the pigs grow.
Feeding for a good start
The transition from sow's milk to solid feed is one of the major changes at weaning.
The feeding system should make feed easy to access and support a feeding strategy that can change as the pigs develop.
SKIOLD offers both dry and liquid feeding solutions for weaner production.
Dry feeding can be supplied through systems such as SKIOLD TransPork and Maximat feeders, while liquid feeding can be used where it forms part of the farm's overall feeding strategy.
For farms using phase feeding, feed allocation can be adjusted according to the pigs' development and production strategy.
The feeding system can therefore be designed together with the pen layout, building sections and overall feed management.
Easy access to fresh water
Water is essential for newly weaned pigs.
The drinking system should provide reliable access to clean water and be positioned so that young pigs can find and use the drinkers easily.
SKIOLD offers different drinking solutions, including drinking valves and cups, as well as integrated feeder and drinking solutions such as Maximat Aqua.
The position of drinking points can be considered together with the pen layout, feeding area and dunging area to create a practical and functional environment.
Flooring for pigs, people and the environment
Flooring is an important part of the overall pen design.
It needs to provide a suitable surface for the pigs while supporting hygiene, manure handling and practical cleaning.
Different combinations of solid and slatted flooring can be used to create functional areas within the pen.
SKIOLD offers flooring solutions that can be combined with different penning concepts and manure systems. The appropriate solution depends on the housing concept, building design and management strategy of the farm.
Hygiene and sectioned production
The design of the weaner unit should also support good hygiene and effective management between groups.
Sectioning the production can help create a clear flow of animals through the building and make cleaning and preparation between batches easier.
SKIOLD can design weaner units with separate sections and coordinated feeding, climate and management systems.
The aim is to create a consistent environment for each group while making daily operation and cleaning practical for the staff.
Designed for efficient daily work
The weaner unit needs to work efficiently for the people managing it.
Good visibility, easy access to the pens and practical positioning of feeders, drinkers and gates can make inspection and daily routines easier.
Automation can further reduce repetitive work and provide greater control over feeding and climate.
SKIOLD combines equipment and control systems to create solutions where feeding, ventilation and other functions can be managed as part of the overall production system.
A complete solution for the weaner unit
There is no single weaner solution that fits every farm.
The right concept depends on:
- Number and size of pigs
- Building dimensions
- Group size and stocking strategy
- Dry or liquid feeding
- Phase feeding strategy
- Flooring and manure system
- Ventilation and heating requirements
- Labour and daily routines
- Desired level of automation
- Future plans for the farm
SKIOLD combines these elements when planning a weaner unit, rather than treating each piece of equipment as a separate solution.
This creates better coherence between penning, feeding, water, climate and daily management.
From weaning to finishing
The weaner unit is the link between the farrowing section and the finishing unit.
A well-planned production flow can make the transition between these stages easier to manage, while feeding, climate and housing can be adapted as the pigs grow.
SKIOLD supplies solutions across the pig production cycle, from farrowing and weaning to finishing.
This makes it possible to consider the complete production flow when planning a new farm or upgrading an existing one.
Real farms. Proven solutions.
SKIOLD solutions are used in weaner production on farms of different sizes and with different production systems.
Prima Svin – Denmark
A large-scale project with 25,000 weaner places, including SKIOLD dry feeding, phase feeding, Maximat dispensers, ventilation and heating.
Civagaard – Denmark
A large Danish pig operation producing weaners and finishers, with SKIOLD feeding, ventilation and alarm systems across the production chain.
Looking for the right weaner solution?
Whether you are building a new weaner unit, expanding an existing farm or looking to improve your current production, SKIOLD can help you develop a solution around your pigs, buildings and production goals.
From penning and feeding to ventilation, heating and management, we can help you connect the individual elements into one complete solution.