Changing crates means transferring a litter or group of pigs from one type of crate to another, from birth to weaning or slaughter stage.
When changing crates in large intensive units, it is important to handle the pigs with care. It is therefore essential to create favourable conditions while planning and arranging crates, passages and troughs to ensure that they do not suffer any discomfort or undue stress.
With single crate systems, the litter is housed in a single crate from birth or weaning to slaughter stage. Pigs housed in a single crate system show about 2% better growth rate and 13% more efficient feed utilization than pigs that change crates in the normal fashion. Also,there are fewer cases of tail biting and cannibalism, while crates need not to be disinfected as often. The system also requires less labour.
The disadvantage of the single crate system is that it makes specific demands regarding the planning and erection of the building. Becauseof the various different sizes of pigs and the fluctuating number of piglets per litter, crates cannot be used optimally. This increases the housing costs.
Compared to other aspects, such as the climate in the building, transport methods, removal of manure and run-off, health and hygiene,crate changing is relatively unimportant. The larger and more intensive the pig production unit becomes, the more desirable it is to provide separate housing for each of the different life stages of the pigs. crate changing then becomes an essential activity in the production system.
