Patent ID: 6823819
Filing Date: 2004-11-30
Classification: A01K

Abstract:
A farrowing pen for sows comprising:a floor assembly for receiving the sow and piglets which includes a first floor section on which the sow can stand and lie and two second floor sections each on a respective side of the first floor section for receiving piglets of the sow; the floor assembly including a support structure for supporting the floor sections; confining walls for locating the sow on the first floor section; the support structure including a separate support element for carrying the first floor section; a base member on which the support element is mounted; a lift mechanism, operated by a power source, carried on the base member and arranged to raise and lower the support element with the first floor section thereon, while the second floor sections remain at a constant height, between a lowered position in which the first floor section is level with the second floor sections and a raised position in which the first floor section is raised to a height above the second floor sections which prevents the sow when lying crushing the piglets on the second floor sections; and a sensor responsive to movement of the sow tending to stand to actuate the lift mechanism to raise the first floor section and responsive to movement of the sow to a lying position to actuate the lift mechanism to lower the first floor section.