Trolleys for a safe and fast carcasses transport in pig farms

Dealing with mortalities is an inevitable part of managing a pig farm. Ensuring the safe and efficient transport of deceased animals is crucial to maintaining biosecurity, protecting the health of the herd, and minimizing the workload for farm staff.

Flextim Industry offers a range of innovative solutions designed to address this important task. This article explores the significance of mortality management, the role of specialized transport equipment, and the advantages of using mobile trolleys to manage dead animals on pig farms.

Mortality rate in pig farms

Mortality rates in pig farming are influenced by various factors, including disease outbreaks, management practices, environmental conditions, and genetic predispositions.

On average, mortality rates in pig farms can vary significantly depending on the type of farm and its specific focus. In breeding farms, the mortality rate among piglets can be as high as 12-15% during the pre-weaning stage, while fattening farms tend to have a lower mortality rate, usually around 2-5%.

Understanding and managing mortality is key to preventing the spread of disease and ensuring that the remaining herd remains healthy. Quick and safe removal of dead animals is a fundamental aspect of biosecurity measures in any pig farm, as decaying carcasses can attract pests, spread pathogens, and contaminate the farm environment.

The average weight of pigs in farms by type of farm

The weight of pigs varies significantly depending on the stage of growth and the type of farm.

• In a fattening pig farm, where pigs are raised for meat production, animals typically weigh between 100-120 kg by the time they are ready for market.
• Sows in breeding farms can weigh even more, ranging from 150 to 300 kg, depending on their breed and condition.

These weights make the manual handling of dead pigs extremely challenging, especially if a farm experiences regular or unexpected deaths.

For this reason, specialized equipment is essential for safely removing and transporting dead pigs, particularly on larger-scale farms. The heavier the animal, the greater the need for efficient tools to handle the carcass with minimal human effort and maximum biosecurity.

Causes of mortality in pig farms

Several factors contribute to pig mortality, with some of the most common reasons including:

• Disease outbreaks: viral and bacterial infections, such as African Swine Fever (ASF), Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), and Swine Influenza, can cause significant mortality.
• Environmental stress: poor ventilation, extreme temperatures, and overcrowded conditions can lead to stress, which weakens the pigs' immune systems and increases susceptibility to illness.
• Nutritional deficiencies: inadequate or unbalanced diets can result in health problems, leading to higher mortality rates.
• Injuries or accidents: pigs can suffer from injuries during feeding, handling, or transport, which may eventually lead to death if not properly addressed.

Regardless of the cause, it’s critical to remove dead animals promptly to reduce the risk of disease transmission, which can affect the health of the entire herd.

The advantage of using trolleys for transporting dead animals

One of the most efficient ways to transport deceased pigs is through the use of mobile trolleys. These tools offer several advantages that make the process of mortality management safer, faster, and more efficient:

• Mobility: easy movement within the farm, enabling quick access to various locations where a dead animal might be found. This ensures that dead pigs can be transported without delay, minimizing the risk of contamination or exposure.
• Quick access: compact design allows them to navigate narrow aisles, making them highly functional in confined farm environments.
• Reduced effort: manually lifting and transporting dead pigs can be extremely labor-intensive, especially with larger animals like sows. Trolleys reduce the physical strain on farmworkers, allowing them to transport animals with less effort and less risk of injury.
• Reduced risk of contact: the use of trolleys minimizes the need for direct contact with the dead animal, reducing the risk of disease transmission to workers and other pigs. This is particularly important in maintaining biosecurity on the farm.
• Immediate evacuation: Trolleys enable the quick removal of dead pigs from the pens, reducing the risk of disease spreading to the rest of the herd. The faster the carcass is removed, the better the chances of controlling any potential outbreak.

TYPES OF MOBILE TROLLEYS

There are 2 main types of mobile trolleys used for mortality transport on pig farms: manually operated trolleys and electric trolleys.

Manually operated trolleys

Manually operated trolleys offer flexibility and ease of use, especially in smaller farms or for handling lighter animals. These trolleys are designed to be maneuvered by pushing or pulling and often come equipped with manual winches to assist with lifting heavier animals.

Key features of manually operated trolleys include:

• Galvanized or stainless-steel frame: these materials offer durability and resistance to corrosion, which is essential in the harsh environments of pig farms.
• Simple or reinforced frame: for handling larger animals such as sows, reinforced frames provide additional strength and stability.
• Stability wheels: additional wheels are necessary for transporting heavier animals like sows, ensuring the trolley doesn’t tip or become difficult to maneuver.
• Manual winch: Depending on the weight of the animal, different winch options are available to assist in lifting and loading the carcass onto the trolley.

Electric trolleys

For larger operations or farms that handle heavier pigs, electric trolleys provide a faster and more efficient solution. These trolleys are equipped with electric motors that assist in both moving the trolley and lifting the animal. Key features of electric trolleys include:

• Electric winch: instead of a manual winch, electric trolleys are equipped with an electric-powered winch that makes it easier to lift heavier pigs with minimal effort.
• Electrical driven: these trolleys can be driven electrically, allowing farmworkers to transport the dead animal quickly and effortlessly across the farm.
• Electric roller loading system: for even more convenience, some trolleys come with an electric roller system that automatically loads the animal onto the trolley without requiring manual intervention.
• Speed and capacity: electric trolleys are designed to transport animals quickly and can handle larger weights, making them suitable for sows or fattening pigs.

Electric trolleys are becoming increasingly popular due to their speed, capacity, and ease of use. These advanced machines can handle large weights, making them ideal for farms that regularly deal with heavier pigs or sows. Electric strollers are equipped with soft-start systems to prevent jerky movements and ensure smooth operation, even when fully loaded. Their capacity typically exceeds that of manual trolleys, allowing them to transport sows quickly and efficiently.

Electric trolley, 130 / 300 kg

• Capacity up to 130 kg or 300 kg (bigger capacity recommended for transporting sows)
• Electric self-propelled - battery power (24V)
• The electrically operated 3-roller system allows the corpse to be effortlessly loaded
• Unloading the trolley is done by simply changing the direction of rotation of the rollers by pressing a button
• The loading / unloading system eliminates the operator's contact with the animal's carcass
• Control made by only 2 commands, with the possibility of speed adjustment
• Robust and durable
• Aluminum chassis against corrosion;
• With or without special quick battery replacement system

Waste disposal equipment - IncinerPro waste Incinerators

In addition to carcass trolleys, Flextim Industry offers waste disposal solutions such as the IncinerPro waste incinerators.

This equipment is designed to safely and efficiently incinerate dead animals, ensuring that carcasses are dealt with in an environmentally responsible manner.

IncinerPro incinerators can handle a wide range of animal farm waste, providing a clean and reliable solution for managing mortalities.

Conclusion

The safe and fast transport of mortalities is critical to maintaining a healthy, bio-secure pig farm. With the right equipment, such as manually operated or electric trolleys, farmworkers can transport dead animals quickly, efficiently, and with minimal physical strain.

Flextim Industry offers a range of solutions, from mobile trolleys to waste incinerators, designed to streamline mortality management and improve the overall efficiency of pig farms.