Patent ID: 7980199

Claim:
A containment apparatus for containing gestating sows comprising: a series of gestation stalls arranged in a row defined by a series of parallel side walls; each stall having a front closure panel for closing the side walls to form an enclosure shaped and dimensioned substantially to receive a single sow; an open alley along a rear of the row of stalls into which the sow can enter by backing out of the stall with a rear gate open so that the sows are free to move in the open alley at their volition and to enter the stalls through the rear entry; a trough at the front of the stall for providing feed for the sow in the stall; wherein the trough at the front of at least some of the stalls forms a common trough member extending across the stalls; wherein the trough member is fastened to a floor surface; and wherein the side walls of some of the stalls are attached to and supported by the common trough member.