In brief, pigs are typically housed such that urine and feces can be collected separately. For sows, this is achieved by positioning buildings on a slope that allows the urine to drain into a collection pit, while the feces stay behind. These feces are then collected once or twice a day using manual labor. Grow-finish pigs are typically housed on partially slatted floors. Under these slats is a scraper that allows for the separate collection of feces and urine.
Feces are mixed with wood shavings and stacked in a composting building.
The fecal material is turned over frequently, either automatically, using a bobcat, or even manually. The end-product is relatively odorless, dry product that is sold as a fertilizer. Composting building with automated mixing. Urine either is mixed in with the wood shavings and the feces for composting, or is sprayed on partially composted material. Alternatively, urine is processed in treatment facilities that mimic sewage treatments plants.