|
ANIMAL HEALTH
Mount Tyson Piggeries is a high Health – Minimal
Disease piggery enterprise.
Constant health checks, both on farm and at the
abattoirs, together with experienced and vigilant staff ensure
that the high health status of the breeder and production
facilities is not compromised.
Routine autopsies are performed to determine the
exact cause of death of any animals whose death falls outside
known or normal expectations.
A detailed vaccination program is maintained
against those diseases which are endemic in Australia.
ANIMAL WELFARE
General Statement
No one profits from sick or mistreated animals.
Mount Tyson Piggeries takes pride in the health and well being
of every animal in its care. A strict code of practice in
relation to Animal Welfare is maintained at all times.
Clean pens, clean and tested drinking water,
quality controlled and nutritious feed, clean air and
temperature control, all contribute to a happy and content
animal. Modern housing with adequate room for exercise forms an
integral part of the new grower facilities recently completed.
Specific Operation
After mating sows are housed in bulk pens until 8 – 10 weeks
into gestation when they are shifted into stalls to allow
specific feeding and to prevent bullying and resultant harm to
both sows and their unborn progeny.
Farrowing takes place in modern farrowing pens which ensure
the safety & comfort of the mother and her piglets. These areas
feature electronically controlled heating of the creep areas for
the piglets and a well ventilated and controlled environment,
incorporating drippers and mist cooling for the lactating sows.
Piglets from 21 days of age who have been introduced to
supplemental solid feed from 10 days onwards, are shifted into
the separate grower complex where they are housed on a free
range straw based litter system. In groups of up to 150 piglets
each animal can root, nestle and forage in the clean straw which
stimulates their natural communal activities. All grower animals
remain on this modern straw based system until they reach sale
weight.
All rooms are cleaned regularly and the litter removed to
stockpiles for later application to our farm fields. New straw
is added to every room twice each week or more often if
required. Different qualities and types of straw and bedding are
used to suit the various ages of pigs.
All systems are monitored electronically on a continuous
basis, with senior staff on immediate standby should a problem
with feed, water or any other matter affecting the welfare of
the animals occur. Standby generators ensure continuous power is
available at all times. Computer controlled mist cooling assures
minimum stress from Australia’s high temperatures. |
