Electronic Sow Feeding Gestation System

The Electronic Sow Feeding Gestation System is an automated individual feeding solution designed for pregnant sows kept in group housing. Each sow is electronically identified when entering the feeding station, allowing the control system to deliver a programmed ration according to her gestation stage, body condition and feeding curve.

The system combines RFID animal identification, a protected feeding station, automatic feed dosing, entrance and exit control, feeding software and optional sow sorting functions. While sows retain freedom of movement within the group pen, individual feeding helps prevent dominant animals from consuming feed allocated to other sows.

Dry or liquid feeding configurations can be developed according to project requirements. The modular station layout is suitable for static or dynamic sow groups and can be integrated into new steel-structure pig houses, commercial gestation barns and renovation projects.

• Individual computer-controlled feeding for group-housed gestating sows.
• RFID or compatible electronic transponder identification for each sow.
• Programmable feed curves according to gestation stage, parity, condition and farm management strategy.
• Protected feeding position helps reduce competition and feed stealing.
• Automatic recording of feeding visits, feed allocation and consumption-related data.
• Suitable for static or dynamic group-housing concepts.
• Dry feeding and liquid feeding configurations available according to project requirements.
• Training mode can simplify adaptation of gilts and inexperienced animals to the feeding station.
• Optional automatic selection gate supports sow sorting and reproductive management.
• Optional color marking can help operators identify selected animals visually.
• Compatible with centralized feed conveying and farm management systems.
• Modular installation allows adaptation to different barn dimensions and animal-flow layouts.
• Suitable for new commercial sow farms and renovation of existing gestation houses.

• Electronic Sow Feeding Station: Enclosed individual feeding space that protects the sow during ration delivery.
• RFID Identification Unit: Reads the electronic ear tag or compatible transponder when the sow enters the station.
• Entrance Gate: Automatically controls access and helps prevent multiple animals from entering simultaneously.
• Exit Gate: Provides controlled animal departure and can be integrated with sorting functions.
• Feed Hopper: Stores dry feed above the dosing system where a dry feeding configuration is selected.
• Feed Dosing Unit: Delivers controlled feed portions according to the individual sow's programmed ration.
• Feeding Trough: Stainless steel or other corrosion-resistant livestock-grade trough provides a hygienic feeding surface.
• Station Controller: Processes identification information and controls ration delivery, gates and station operating status.
• Farm Management Software: Stores animal, feeding and station data for monitoring and management.
• Selection Gate: Optional automatic sorting equipment directs selected sows into a designated management pen.
• Color Marker: Optional marking equipment visually identifies selected animals.
• Feed Supply Interface: Connects the station to automatic dry feed conveying or liquid feeding equipment.
• Penning System: Galvanized steel or livestock-grade partition panels organize waiting, resting, feeding and selection areas.

Each sow carries an RFID ear tag or compatible electronic transponder containing her unique identification information. When the sow enters the feeding station, the identification reader communicates with the controller and retrieves her programmed feeding data.

If feed is still available for that sow during the current feeding cycle, the station delivers feed in controlled portions until the programmed ration has been supplied or the sow leaves the station. If the daily allocation has already been consumed, additional feed is not dispensed.

The protected station structure allows one sow to eat with reduced interference from other animals. After feeding, she exits the station and returns to the group area, allowing the next sow to enter.

All relevant feeding events can be recorded by the management system. Depending on the selected configuration, operators can review feeding status, identify animals that have not visited the station and adjust individual feeding curves.

Optional sorting equipment can direct selected sows into a separate pen for pregnancy checks, vaccination, treatment, transfer to the farrowing area or other management procedures.

• Commercial sow gestation houses
• Group-housed pregnant sow facilities
• Large-scale pig breeding farms
• Multiplier and nucleus sow farms
• Static sow group management
• Dynamic sow group management
• Precision sow feeding projects
• Automatic sow sorting and management projects
• Steel-structure pig houses
• Prefabricated livestock buildings
• Conversion from conventional gestation stalls to loose housing
• New-build and renovated commercial pig farms
• Turnkey sow farm projects

• Feeding station dimensions and layout
• Number of feeding stations
• Number of sows per management group
• Static or dynamic grouping concept
• RFID identification configuration
• Dry or liquid feed delivery
• Single or multiple dry feed formulas
• Individual gestation feeding curves
• Feed dosing and trough configuration
• Automatic entrance and exit gate arrangement
• Automatic sow selection system
• Color marking equipment
• Gilt training station
• Central management software
• Feed silo and conveying-line integration
• Liquid feed preparation and pipeline integration
• Waiting, resting and activity-area layouts
• Selection and treatment pens
• Drinking system arrangement
• Solid or slatted flooring configuration
• Designed according to local climate, farm conditions and applicable animal welfare requirements

Installation:

• Confirm the total number of gestating sows, group-management strategy and required feeding-station quantity.
• Plan the waiting, resting, drinking, feeding and selection areas before equipment installation.
• Determine animal-flow routes so sows can enter and leave the feeding station without unnecessary congestion.
• Install the galvanized station frame, side partitions, entrance gate and exit components.
• Secure the feeding station to the prepared floor structure.
• Install the RFID reader, controller, sensors and electrical components.
• Install the trough and feed dosing equipment.
• Connect the dry feed conveying line or liquid feeding pipeline according to the selected system.
• Install optional sorting gates and selection pens.
• Configure animal records, feeding curves and station parameters in the control system.
• Test RFID identification, gate operation, feed dosing and sow-selection functions before commissioning.
• Train gilts or inexperienced sows gradually before full operation where necessary.

Maintenance:

• Inspect entrance and exit gates daily for smooth operation.
• Keep RFID readers and sensors clean and protected from excessive contamination.
• Inspect the feed dosing mechanism and trough for accumulated or spoiled feed.
• Check feed hoppers, conveying lines and outlets for blockage.
• Inspect pneumatic or electrical actuators where fitted.
• Review feeding alarms and animals with incomplete feed intake regularly.
• Back up animal and feeding data according to the farm management procedure.
• Inspect galvanized frames, anchors and structural connections periodically.
• Wash and disinfect the feeding station according to the farm biosecurity program.
• Follow the maintenance schedule for controllers, sensors, motors and other electronic components.

Q: What is an Electronic Sow Feeding System?
A: An ESF system identifies individual sows electronically and automatically delivers a programmed ration while the animals are maintained in group housing.

Q: How does the system identify each sow?
A: Each sow carries an RFID ear tag or compatible transponder. The feeding station reads the identification when the animal enters and retrieves her individual feeding information.

Q: Can every sow receive a different amount of feed?
A: Yes. Individual feeding curves can be programmed according to gestation stage, body condition, parity and farm management requirements.

Q: Can one sow eat another sow's ration?
A: The protected feeding station identifies the animal before dispensing feed and only releases the ration assigned to that sow, helping prevent feed stealing within the group.

Q: Is the system suitable for both dry and liquid feeding?
A: Yes. Electronic sow feeding concepts can be configured for dry or liquid feed according to the selected project design.

Q: Can the system work with static and dynamic groups?
A: Yes. The station quantity, pen layout and animal-flow concept can be designed for either static or dynamic sow groups.

Q: Can sows be automatically sorted?
A: Yes. An optional selection gate can direct programmed animals into a separate area for pregnancy checks, treatment, vaccination, transfer or other management procedures.

Q: How are gilts trained to use the station?
A: A training configuration or dedicated training station can be used to familiarize gilts with entering, feeding and exiting before they join the main gestation group.

Q: Can the system be installed in an existing gestation barn?
A: Yes. Retrofit installation is possible after evaluating the existing floor plan, flooring, animal-flow routes, feeding equipment, utilities and available space.

Q: Can feeding information be monitored electronically?
A: Yes. Depending on the control configuration, the management system can record feeding activity and help operators identify animals that have not consumed their expected ration.

Q: Can SHEWUYOU customize a complete gestation-house layout?
A: Yes. Feeding stations, group pens, resting areas, sorting pens, feed distribution, drinking equipment, flooring and related livestock equipment can be configured according to project requirements.

Q: What information is required for a quotation?
A: Please provide the number of gestating sows, pig house dimensions, preferred group size, dry or liquid feeding method, existing or planned flooring, farm location and available architectural or equipment layout drawings.