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?
