Feeding Sows in Breeding

The MealMeter feed dispenser is a transition tool for incoming gilts and newly weaned sows who need extra time to consume their daily feed ration as they are dealing with major environment and physical changes. In an area that is either labor intensive or full of feed and water waste, the MealMeter takes the human element out of feeding and meets the demands of each sow’s varied eating times.

The MealMeter feed dispenser is latched on a stud that is installed in a specially designed 3” feed tube. When feed is dropped, it stays fresh in the tube and available when the gilt or sow is ready to consume her ration.

When the gilt or sow is ready to eat, she moves the MealMeter “nose” or “paddle” up with her snout and is immediately rewarded with fresh feed. The MealMeter works with the sow’s natural rooting behavior so training and operating are very easy for the vast majority of sows.

The MealMeter’s tail keeps feed flowing into its four chambers to avoid any sort of bridging. Feed flows out of the hole that is strategically placed so the sow does not have easy access to the opening and the feed flows toward the center of her eating area.

Management of the MealMeter is easy with the feed tube’s viewing window. This allows the staff to quickly observe the feed level of each sow as they walk down the aisle.

The MealMeter system in Breeding comes with various options so you can decide what works best for your operation.

MealMeter Traditional Drop

The MealMeter dispenses feed into a dry trough with the traditional set up. Here are the MealMeter’s companion products with this scenario:

PigEasy Feed Tube: After receiving photos and dimensions, we design and customize a 3” OD stainless steel feed tube to easily be installed on your existing crate at the correct angle and height off the floor of the trough. The tube will be ready with the stud that is used to install the MealMeter and will have a viewing window toward the front of the tube.

SnoutSpout nipple bracket: The SnoutSpout is a no leak, double nipple bracket designed for easy mounting to virtually any gestation stall divider. Made from injection molded glass-filled polypropylene, The SnoutSpout was developed to stand up to any abuse and it stays in place with its flat plate design. Click here to learn more.

With the traditional set up, daily management occurs at the feed box.

MealMeter in Breeder Bowl

In order to mirror the success of the PigEasy Sow Feeder in the breed row without losing any stall space and boar exposure, we developed the PigEasy Breeder Bowl set up. Here are the companion products:

PigEasy Breeder Bowl: The Breeder Bowl is installed on the head gate so it can swing open for sows to easily exit the crate. Just like with the sow feeder, the Breeder Bowl serves as both the sow’s feed and only water source. The water acts as a “dispensing regulator” so she learns to not over dispense and cleans up her feed with every drink. Feed doesn’t build up in the Breeder Bowl because there are no deep corners. The Breeder Bowl can be mounted on both straight front and sloped front crate.

40” Water Pipe with Button Nipple: The water pipe for the breed row can easily be installed on any head gate and is tall enough so the sow does not have access to the top fitting. The bottom bracket allows adjustment to the location of the nipple in the breeder bowl. The button nipple adjusts to a wide range of water pressures.

PigEasy Feed Tube: After receiving photos and dimensions, we design and customize a 3” OD stainless steel feed tube to easily be installed on your existing crate at the correct angle and height off the bottom of the Breeder Bowl. The tube will be ready with the stud that is used to install the MealMeter and will have a viewing window toward the front of the tube.

The Breeder Bowl set up gives sows the freedom to choose when she wants to consume her feed with little to no daily management.

Streamline your operation and have the same feed system in all areas where feed intake is critical. Click here to learn about the MealMeter system for lactation.