Document type: article published in Réussir Porc
Author: Dominique Poilvet
Preview: The members of the La Bauquière farming cooperative wanted a building that would meet the requirements of top-quality production: efficient equipment and excellent working and animal welfare practices. [...] To make sure the project would be sustainable in the long term, the farmers took into account current requirements for energy efficiency, biosecurity and animal welfare in building design. They chose a high-performance soup feed for sows and for fattening. Individual room ventilation incorporates an innovative process to circulate air drawn into the rooms. Maternity areas and post-weaning pens have been designed to be completely washed between each batch. The design of the two loading docks (one for gilts, the other for pigs for slaughter) restricts the risk of contamination from the outside. Last, a firm emphasis was placed on animal welfare, opting strongly for free-farrowing pens.
