(a) A pig farmer is planning to construct farrowing pens for sows. (i) Describe three essential features of a farrowing pen that help to reduce piglet morta...

Labelled answer diagram:

(a)(i) Three essential features of a farrowing pen to reduce piglet mortality [3]:

1. Farrowing crate or guard rails that restrict the sow's movement, preventing her from lying down suddenly and crushing the piglets. The crate allows the sow to stand, lie down and feed but not turn around. [1]
2. A creep area with a heat source (infrared lamp or heating pad) where piglets can shelter. Newborn piglets are highly susceptible to hypothermia; a warm creep area draws them away from the sow and reduces the risk of overlying. [1]
3. Non-slip flooring so that piglets can stand and reach the teats within minutes of birth. Slippery floors cause leg injuries and splay leg, which can be fatal if the piglet cannot suckle. [1]

Also acceptable: guard rails along the walls at piglet height; adequate space for the sow to lie down without crushing piglets against the walls.

(a)(ii) Recommended temperature for newborn piglets in the creep area [1]:

30 - 35 degrees C. Newborn piglets have virtually no body fat or hair for insulation, so they lose heat rapidly and require a warm micro-environment. [1]

(a)(iii) How to provide this temperature [2]:

1. Suspend an infrared heat lamp above the creep area at a height that maintains the target temperature at floor level. The lamp radiates warmth directly onto the piglets below. [1]
2. Alternatively, install a heating pad or underfloor heating in the creep area. Contact heat from below is energy-efficient and provides consistent warmth across the lying area. [1]

(b) Three differences between a farrowing pen and a fattening pen [3]:

Also acceptable: farrowing pen has supplementary heating; fattening pen does not normally require it.

(c) Why concrete floors should have a slightly rough surface [2]:

• A slightly rough surface provides grip, preventing pigs from slipping and injuring their legs or joints, particularly when floors are wet. [1]
• A completely smooth concrete surface becomes extremely slippery when wet with urine, wash water or manure, making falls and injuries much more frequent. [1]

(d) Two reasons why proper drainage is essential [2]:

1. Removes urine and wash water to prevent the build-up of ammonia gas, which irritates the respiratory tract of pigs and the workers. [1]
2. Keeps the floor dry, which reduces the risk of foot infections (such as foot rot) and discourages the growth of disease-causing bacteria and fungi that thrive in damp conditions. [1]

(e) Slurry storage calculation [2]:

Total slurry per day:

\[ 80 \text{ pigs} \times 5 \text{ litres/pig/day} = 400 \text{ litres/day} \] [1]

Volume for 30 days:

\[ 400 \times 30 = 12\,000 \text{ litres} = 12 \text{ m}^3 \] [1]

The farmer needs storage capacity of at least 12 000 litres (12 m³).