Practical experience with the Balance floor: Niek Hermens on reducing piglet losses and improving labour efficiency
How does the right flooring solution contribute to fewer piglet losses and improved labour efficiency in the farrowing unit? In our latest testimonial, Niek Hermens from Hermens Pig Farm shares his experience with the Balance floor by Nooyen Pig Flooring.
Hermens Pig Farm operates multiple locations. At the farm in Mill, they keep 750 sows and 3,000 finishing pigs. The farm is equipped with 160 farrowing pens, all fitted with the Balance floor.
The choice for the Balance floor was made deliberately. Although it was an investment, reducing piglet losses played an important role in the decision. For Niek, limiting piglet losses was a key reason to choose this solution.
In addition to reducing piglet losses, the Balance floor also offers many advantages in daily work. When a sow stands up during farrowing, the farmer can walk away with peace of mind. The sow lies down calmly and the piglets can nurse again afterwards. This creates more calmness in the pen and reduces the need for constant checking.
The system also offers a lot of convenience in combination with automatic feeding. At the farm, feeding takes place automatically three times a day, even at times when nobody is present in the barn. The Balance floor helps ensure that this process can run safely and practically.
According to Niek, the Balance floor will also remain relevant in the future. Especially when sows are still allowed to be confined temporarily during the first days after farrowing, the floor continues to offer significant added value. Those first days are exactly when the risk of piglet losses is highest.
After many years of use, Niek looks at his farrowing unit with both a critical and positive view. If he were to build a new barn, he would choose more stainless steel components and slightly larger pens, but the added value of the Balance floor remains clear to him.
The result is a farrowing unit where animal welfare, labour efficiency and practical farm management come together.
Curious to discover what the Balance floor could mean for your farm? Our specialists are happy to help you find the best solution for your situation.
