Sows which do not take their full feed allocation have no opportunity for a re-visit but the computer will highlight the fact. Eliminating return visits by sows may give an opportunity to increase the number of sows per feeder. They should not be trained with sows. Gilts can find it difficult to compete at the feed station and they should be housed in a separate group from the sows' yard until their second pregnancy. This may require a separate feed station or sharing a feed station.
Gilts generally take longer to eat their feed than sows.
Sows can be weaned directly into the main dry sow group as long as there are boars present and there are good facilities for heat detection and service. Electronic ID systems can be used to register visits to boar pens as a guide to sows in oestrus. As in all dynamic groups, sows should not be mixed during the implantation phase of gestation. The main option is mixing immediately post service. Once in the group these sows will normally lie together throughout gestation.