At the planning stage, herd manager Dan Leggett toured the country assessing similar systems. A further source of stress and conflict that Dan addressed was that arising from sows waiting to use the feeder, particularly when they have been used to all feeding at once.
Frustrated sows waiting to feed tend to either fight or eat excessive straw.
After filling with straw, intake of concentrate was impaired. The Plumpton herd therefore decided to try silage as an alternative to straw. Sows are introduced to the dry sow house three days after mating in the boar house. They stay there until four days before farrowing. Clamp silage was found to be unsuitable - sows would walk over it and, because it warmed quickly, they would lie on it for warmth in winter.