The pork industry is constantly evolving, with producers seeking innovative solutions to enhance their facilities and optimize production. Renovating existing barns is a practical and cost-effective way to meet the changing needs of a farm. This remodel offers a glimpse into how a traditional farrowing barn was converted into a modern pig nursery using Hog Slat’s manufactured plastic flooring.
The Original Barn:
The barn originally consisted of seven farrowing rooms, each measuring 22' x 60' and containing 24 farrowing crates. While this design served its purpose, the farm needed a space that could better accommodate its growing operation.
(Photo of 22'x60' room once used for farrowing)
Strategic Remodeling: Optimizing Space
To create a more efficient layout, the center wall between two of the farrowing rooms was removed, expanding the space into three larger nursery rooms (44' x 60') and one smaller room (22' x 60'). This change allowed the remodeled nursery to house up to 800 pigs in the larger rooms and 400 pigs in the smaller one. By allocating 3 square feet of usable space per pig, the design maximizes the area effectively.
(Photo of wall removed, opening floor plan for nursery)
Installing Hog Slat Plastic Flooring
The remodeled nursery was equipped with Hog Slat plastic flooring, a durable and easy-to-clean solution designed for nursery barns. Manufactured at Hog Slat’s facility in North Carolina, our ability to produce the flooring in-house gives us control over both the quality and consistency of the product, ensuring it meets the needs of modern pork operations.
(Hog Slat plastic nursery flooring installed)
Why Hog Slat Plastic Flooring?
Hog Slat plastic flooring offers several advantages:
- Simple Installation: The flooring’s interlocking tab system simplifies installation and enables wider spans with fewer support beams, resulting in cost savings for the producer.
- Durability You Can Trust: Designed to withstand the demands of a pig nursery barn, Hog Slat flooring provides lasting performance, helping producers minimize long-term replacement costs.
- Easy to Clean: With a smooth, self-cleaning surface, Hog Slat flooring makes barn maintenance easy, reducing downtime and promoting a healthy environment for the pigs.
- Optimal Traction: Featuring a textured surface and 3/8" slots, the flooring provides excellent traction, ensuring the pigs' safety as they move around the space.
(Photo of feeders and gating installed in remodeled nursery space)
The Benefits of Barn Remodeling with Hog Slat
By renovating barns and integrating solutions like Hog Slat’s plastic flooring, producers can optimize their facilities for greater efficiency and performance. Whether you’re upgrading an existing barn or converting a farrowing barn into a nursery, Hog Slat’s experienced team can help you design and implement a system that fits the specific needs of your operation.
Ready to start your own remodel? Contact Hog Slat today to discuss your project with one of our knowledgeable representatives.
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