Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4 Western Australia, Series 4
Volume 5
Number 6 June, 1964 Article 9
1-1-1964
The levy nest : a useful aid to farrowing The levy nest : a useful aid to farrowing
P McNamara
Follow this and additional works at: https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/journal_agriculture4
Part of the Bioresource and Agricultural Engineering Commons, and the Other Animal Sciences Commons
Recommended Citation Recommended Citation
McNamara, P (1964) "The levy nest : a useful aid to farrowing," Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4: Vol. 5: No. 6, Article 9.
Available at: https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/journal_agriculture4/vol5/iss6/9
This article is brought to you for free and open access by the Agriculture at Digital Library. It has been accepted for inclusion in Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4 by an authorized administrator of Digital Library. For more information, please contact [email protected].
PIGS
THE "LEVY" NEST - a useful aid to farrowing
The levy farrowing nest which has given good results in England is a recent innovation in Australia. It could be well adapted for W . A . conditions and is described here by Pig Husbandry Adviser M r . P. M c N a m a r a , B.A. (Cantab.).
SOME years ago in Buckinghamshire, England, pig f a r m e r Donald Levy found t h a t his sow herd had o u t g r o w n its f a r r o w i n g accommodation and several sows had to make do w i t h odd huts and loose boxes.
Instinct guided several of these sows to build nests of earth and straw in the paddocks, and Mr. Levy became absorbed in watching the way they built their nests.
His farm is on low lying ground near a canal, damp and cold in winter. How- ever the sows which farrowed outside in their nests had good litters and the little pigs were always dry and warm.
The construction of good farrowing pens can be expensive, and Mr. Levy decided that if he could copy the nest which the sow had built in the paddock, he would be able to use any of his many old farm buildings as farrowing quarters, making a considerable cost saving.
The final result is shown in the diagram.
It was built of oak and weighing over 2 cwt. He tried soft wood first, but this was too light and the sows not only gnawed them but turned them over.
The nests were easily moved and clean- ed, the sows appeared to like them and the results speak for themselves. Pre- viously his average number reared alive per litter was seven and this was raised to nine in a 30 sow herd—a considerable improvement.
Details of this nest were published in the Eastern States about 18 months ago and several have already been constructed and used with great success in this State.
A model of the levy farrowing nest
371
4' - 6"
Expand by 2" each side to — 5 - 6
Details of the Levy Nest. ( N o t to Scale)
There is no doubt t h a t this simple aid could save the lives of hundreds of pigs in their first week of life.
Construction
All timber is 8 in. x 2 in. hardwood except for several lengths 2 in. x 2 in. The whole nest is solidly made and corners and wear- ing edges are clad with metal if possible.
Various adjustments can be made to the construction, as long as the basic plan is adhered to.
T h e Nest in Use
Little difficulty has been experienced in getting sows to use the nest and most go to it quite naturally to have their litters.
Before farrowing, the sow is placed in the pen or paddock where she is to farrow and the nest is placed in the building.
This will enable her to get used to it, and is correct practice whatever the arrangements are for farrowing. When she is due to farrow, the sow will get into the nest and farrow naturally. Once she has farrowed, the little pigs are safe under the hover boards, and what is so important
for little pigs, they are dry, warm and free from draughts.
Note that the sow is unable to flop down into the nest but must work her way down between the hinged boards. Piglets can never be caught unawares by a large sow flopping down on them, as they always have ample time to escape.
At any time from a few days to a week the pigs will be climbing out of the nest, and now the danger time has passed. The nest is removed and in its place a gate is put down one side of the hut to give the litter an area to sleep in and to start on their creep feed.
The nest can then be well disinfected, left out in the sun, and will be all ready for the next litter. Some doubts had been expressed about the use of this nest in the summer, due to the heat, but reports to date have been satisfactory—the young pigs being very comfortable under the boards.
The construction of one or two of these nests would be a well worthwhile task on many farms, and would soon be paid for by pigs saved.
372
M/Gf/TY oumc off
BETTERS
^VEffERS
M WINDMILL
The most economical and efficient mill in
Australia
6-8 GEARING FORCE PUMPS SHEEP TROUGHING SQUATTERS TANKS CULTIVATOR PTS.
TANK STANDS
Modern agricultural equip- ment manufactured in West- ern Australia by Metters . . . For further information write or phone for a free catalogue
SALVADO RD. WEMBLEY Phone 8 2321
Showroom: 847 HAY ST. PERTH
Plea** mention the "Journal of Agriculture ol W A , " when writing to advertisers
How a simple idea has made living easier for thousands of
VY.A. F a m i l i e s . . .
Where's home?
Facing up river from Applecross . . . or out beyond the rabbit proof fence?
Today, no matter where you live off the mains, you can enjoy all the advantages of a Gas home.
Thanks to GAS IN BOTTLES.
Thanks to KLEENHEAT.
Gas In bottles is the simple idea that, In just a few years, has made living easier for so many West Australian families, and will bring happiness to many more thousands In the years ahead.
Near or outer metropolitan off the mains, country town or outlying farm—KLEENHEAT GAS can be with you In a matter of hours.
Worth considering, Isn't It!
KleenheatGas
C O N T A C T Y O U R L O C A L K L E E N H E A T A G E N T . K L E E N H E A T G A S I S A f j j P R O D U C T DISTRIBUTED BY WESFARMERS KLEENHEAT GAS PTY. LTD.
8 8 8 W E L L I N G T O N S T R E E T . P E R T H . P H O N E 2 1 0 1 8 1
I'm on the land!
I depend on good roads, petrol, kerosinc and diesel fuels to work my land . . . I depend on an organisation which not only helps to supply these needs hut is vitally Ixmnd up with my interests.
This organisation is the BP Group, producing and mar- keting premium petroleum products from its Kwinajia Refinery, south of Fremantle.
HP supplies bitumen for our roads, fuels and lubricants for our cars, trucks and tractors, and L.P. Gas and kcro- sine for our cooking and lighting.
Tilling Hie Soil
When you're on the land, you look to .
r=p
IP tjfiftary K»i« »P Auirr.fio Lim.'red
Providing the Power
I P (FreftMFitfe! '.mind
Please mention the "Journal of Agriculture of W.A.," when writing to advertisers
