A TYPOLOGY OF PIGGERY TO REDUCE SLURRY USING STRAW IN DUNGING AREA

To avoid slurry production that create problems with the pig farm management (tanks, liquid distribution, odours etc), we studied a new type of byre where the slurry is transformed into manure. The barns have a concrete floor with an external manure collection area with straw added daily. When the swine move inside the boxes, they will push the manure through a gap in the side wall; this leads to a small channel where a scraper is operational. The used litter is collected and piled up in an open shed for further maturation. Liquid feed is administered automatically to the swine. The investigated housing system also offers the possibility of reducing the amount of slurry. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of the piggery in terms of the cleaning system and the ratio between solid manure and slurry. An experiment was devised to compare this new system with the traditional system using data on the animals performance. Simultaneously, other parameters, such as meat quality and the quantity of urine and manure production, were investigated. The study was carried out in three cycles: September 1997 to March 1998 (winter period); May 1998 to November 1998 (summer period); May 1999 to October 1999. The results show a good daily weight gain 0.838 kg*pig, and average urine production of 0.824 l*d*100 kg live weight vs. 8-9 l*d*100 kg live weight of the traditional system. The study also showed a good animal performance and an excellent reduction in slurry production.