Day 088 - 13 Feb 95 - Page 40


     
     1        A.  Yes, where they farrow yes, sir.  That is a farrowing
     2        crate that each individual sow goes into to have her pigs.
     3
     4   MR. RAMPTON:  Just so that it should be clear, there is a
     5        farrowing unit which is a bigger unit and within that unit,
     6        part of the process, is the farrowing crate; is that right?
     7        A.  There is a farrowing unit.  That is then sectionized
     8        into different rooms.  So, we can say, for instance, put 12
     9        sows in to farrow.  When they are farrowed and gone, we
    10        then sterilize that room so that, you know, it is good,
    11        clean and healthy for the next batch to go in, and in those
    12        rooms is the farrowing crates.
    13
    14   Q.   What is the objection -- you obviously are looking for
    15        alternatives yourselves, you have told us that -- to
    16        farrowing crates?
    17
    18   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  I had better know what it looks like, had I
    19        not?
    20
    21   MR. RAMPTON:  Yes.  Maybe that will emerge from the answer but
    22        tell us what it is?
    23        A.  You would like to know what a farrowing crate looks
    24        like?
    25
    26   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Yes.  You must not assume I am an expert on
    27        these things at all.
    28        A.  A farrowing crate is a structure made out of round bars
    29        with a feed trough at the front and a water nipple at the
    30        front, so that also, and there will be a passage at the
    31        front, so that the pig men can inspect the sow from the
    32        front; likewise, there will be a passage at the back so the
    33        sow can walk in and, likewise, the pig man can inspect the
    34        sow from behind also.  That gives her room to stand out and
    35        lie down.
    36
    37        It is a long crate.  I suppose I should know the figures
    38        exactly, but I guess about two-and-a-half metres, something
    39        like that, two to two-and-a-half metres.  Do not hold me to
    40        that exactly, sir.  The floor area on which she will lie is
    41        insulated and non-slip.  The idea is that when she lies
    42        down, that she comes down so she does not lay on any of the
    43        pigs.  That is the purpose of a sow crate.  That is the
    44        best way I can describe it.
    45
    46   MR. RAMPTON:  What is supposed to be the objection to that
    47        facility?
    48        A.  There are people who feel that it is restrictive,
    49        obviously, and it is a debate about whether you restrict
    50        the sow or you save the young. 
    51 
    52   Q.   Because they might get laid on? 
    53        A.  Crushed, rolled on, or whatever.
    54
    55   Q.   How long would the sow be in the farrowing crate, on
    56        average?
    57        A.  About the 21, 24 days.
    58
    59   Q.   When does she go in, at what stage, when she goes into
    60        labour or before that?

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