Zinpro introduces sow chute

11-08-2008 | |

American company Zinpro Performance Minerals has launched a sow chute, designed to help tackle one aspect of sow lameness; overgrown and unbalanced claws.

Distorted claws can cause abnormal gait in the sow, predispose feet to injury and other painful claw lesions, and result in greater likelihood of culling from the herd. The chute allows the sow to be safely and comfortably secured and lifted, giving the handler free access to the feet.

This makes foot inspection, identification of lesions, and corrective trimming possible without the risk to sow or handler associated with sedation or other methods of restraint. The company’s ‘Feet First’ spokesman, Max Winders, says the chute proved so comfortable during trials that sows almost fell asleep in it.

A patent on the chute technology is currently pending. The chute is part of the company’s Feet First project which aims to address the issues around sow lameness and its impact on herd health, productivity and performance.

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