Patent ID: 7861675

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 and a rear gate which can move between an open position exposing a rear entry allowing the sow to depart from the stall by backing out and a closed position closing the rear entry; an open alley along a rear of the row of stalls into which the sow can enter by backing out of the stall with the 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; each rear gate being mounted for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis above the rear entry between the closed position in which the rear gate is substantially vertical and the open position in which the rear gate pivots upwardly and rearwardly; a latch arranged, in a hold position thereof to hold the rear gate in the closed position with the sow in the stall so as to prevent a second sow from opening the rear gate; the latch being releasable to allow the rear gate to be moved to the open position to allow the sow in the stall to back out; the latch being releasable by rear pressure on the rear gate tending to move at least a part of the rear gate rearwardly.