Gestating Sow Floor Feeder

• Designed for Gestating Sows: Suitable for pregnant sow and gilt group-housing systems.
• Wide Floor Distribution: Suspended discharge spreads feed across the feeding area instead of concentrating it at one point.
• Simultaneous Feeding: Multiple sows can access distributed feed at the same time.
• Simple Mechanical Release: Cable or wire-operated opening minimizes complicated moving parts.
• Low Maintenance: Straightforward hopper construction supports reliable daily farm operation.
• Easy Installation: Suitable for integration beneath overhead dry-feed transport lines.
• Flexible Pen Capacity: Multiple dispensers can be arranged according to sow numbers and barn layout.
• New or Retrofit Projects: Applicable to new steel-structure sow houses and existing gestation-barn upgrades.

• Feed Hopper: Stores the predetermined dry-feed ration before release.
• Bottom Discharge Flap: Opens rapidly to distribute feed onto the floor.
• Release Arm: Transfers cable movement to the discharge mechanism.
• Operating Wire or Cable: Allows multiple feeders to be released along one feeding line.
• Suspension Brackets: Support the dispenser above the designated feeding area.
• Feed Supply Pipe: Connects the feeder with the overhead dry-feed distribution system.
• Fasteners and Connectors: Secure feeder panels, suspension points and release components.

• Group-housed gestating sows
• Pregnant gilt pens
• Mating and early gestation units
• Static sow groups with similar body condition
• Commercial sow farms
• Automatic dry-feed distribution systems
• New steel-structure gestation barns
• Existing sow-house feeding upgrades

• Hopper capacity
• Number of feeders per pen
• Feeder spacing
• Suspension height
• Feed spreading width
• Release wire and operating mechanism
• Overhead feed-pipe connection
• Manual or centralized release arrangement
• Pen-layout integration
• Assembled or project-specific supply configuration

• Confirm sow group size, daily ration and required feeding area before determining feeder quantity.
• Provide a suitable solid or closed feeding surface beneath the dispenser to limit feed loss through slatted flooring.
• Install the feeder above the feeding area at the specified suspension height.
• Connect the hopper to the overhead dry-feed supply line.
• Install and tension the operating wire or release cable.
• Check that each discharge flap opens fully and closes freely.
• Test feed spread before commissioning the complete system.

• Remove compacted feed or dust from the hopper and discharge flap.
• Inspect operating wires, springs and release arms regularly.
• Check suspension points and fasteners for looseness.
• Keep the feeding floor clean and dry between feeding cycles where practical.
• Check feed spread periodically after changing feed type or mounting height.
• Replace worn cables, springs or mechanical components when required.

Q: What is a gestating sow floor feeder?
A: It is a suspended dry-feed dispenser that releases a predetermined ration directly onto the floor of a group sow pen.

Q: What animals is it mainly designed for?
A: It is primarily intended for gestating sows and gilts, although similar floor-feeding principles can be used for other pig groups.

Q: What is the reference hopper capacity?
A: The documented VD100 reference configuration has a nominal volume of approximately 40 liters.

Q: How large can the sow group be?
A: The reference system recommends groups of at least approximately 12-15 sows and can be configured for groups of up to about 50 sows.

Q: How widely does the feed spread?
A: The reference system distributes feed over approximately 1.5 meters, although actual spread depends on mounting height and feed characteristics.

Q: Is floor feeding suitable for every sow group?
A: It is best suited to carefully managed groups with sows sorted by age, parity, body condition and similar feed requirements.

Q: Can it be integrated with an automatic feed line?
A: Yes. The suspended dispensers can be installed beneath compatible centralized dry-feed transport lines.

Q: What information is required for quotation?
A: Recommended information includes number of sows, sows per pen, daily ration, feed type, pen dimensions, flooring layout, feed-line diameter and required number of feeding lines.