Guide to Selecting Sow Stalls: Scientific Design, Efficient Breeding
Return to ListRelease time：2026-02-27
I. Introduction to Sow Stalls
Sow stalls, also known as gestation crates, are pen equipment used to limit the activity range of pregnant sows. Their core functions are: reducing fights and stress among sows, lowering the risk of miscarriage; facilitating the conduct of reproductive operations such as artificial insemination; improving land utilization rate, which can significantly increase the stock per unit area compared with group feeding.
The pig pen equipment is designed to high standards, with materials featuring strong corrosion resistance, impact resistance, and long service life. It is easy for pig farm staff to operate and conforms to feeding operations.
II. Analysis of Mainstream Sow Stall Products
1. Round Pipe Sow Stalls (Integral Trough Model)
This is the most widely used classic model currently, adopting hot-dip galvanizing (HDG) process with excellent corrosion resistance.
Core Parameters: The entire stall panels are hot-dip galvanized, with an average zinc layer thickness ≥ 80μm; outer frame: 6-inch pipe + inner lining: 4-inch pipe; bottom frame is 170mm above the ground, facilitating fecal cleaning.
Features: φ60 feeding pipe is integrally welded with the stall panels, resulting in a stable structure that is not easy to fall off; touch-type stall door switch for convenient operation; the rear door is specially designed for artificial insemination with small matching gaps.
2. Round Pipe Sow Stalls (Individual Sow Trough Model)
The biggest feature of this model is that each sow is equipped with an independent trough, which performs prominently in terms of biosecurity and epidemic prevention.
Differences from the integral trough model: The individual trough is fixed on the front door, with a reversible design for easy cleaning; φ60 feeding pipe is fixed on the front door; the troughs are independent of each other, eliminating the risk of cross-transmission of diseases.
In today's severe situation of epidemic prevention and control such as African Swine Fever (ASF), the individual trough sow stalls have become the first choice for more and more pig farms.
III. Design Highlights of Integral Troughs
The integral trough of Qingdao Famou is made of 304 stainless steel with a national standard 1.2mm wall thickness, and has unique ingenuity in detail design:
1. R50 Large Arc Bottom Design
The bottom of traditional troughs is mostly right-angled or acute-angled, which easily leads to feed accumulation and mold growth. Qingdao Famou has changed the bottom to an R50 large arc, making the trough free of dead corners, with good feed fluidity and eliminating the problem of feed accumulation.
2. Sloped Bottom Surface
The bottom surface of the trough is designed with a certain slope, which is convenient for pigs to eat and reduces feed waste.
3. Recessed Drain Plug
The bottom drainage design combined with the recessed drain plug effectively avoids damage caused by pig gnawing.
Dimensions: Upper opening width 300mm, bottom width 170mm.
IV. Ingenious Design of Stall Structure
Early stage: U-shaped opening upward; convenient for estrus detection and breeding operations.
Late stage: U-shaped opening downward; convenient for fecal cleaning and flushing.
This "one door, two uses" design reflects the humanized consideration of the product.
V. Detailed Explanation of Stall Accessories
Qingdao Famou sow stalls can be customized according to customer needs, with the following conventional standard dimensions:
Length: 2.2m / 2.3m (commonly used specifications)
Width: 0.65m
Height: 1.1m (standard height)
A. Double U-shaped Clip Fixed Pressure Rods
Three horizontal national standard 4-inch galvanized steel pipes are configured above each group of stalls as pressure rods, which are connected and fixed with the stalls on site through double U-shaped clips to ensure the stability of the overall structure.
B. Internal Expansion Bolts (Solid Ground)
Suitable for fixing on concrete ground, internal expansion bolts are used with footings for firm installation.
C. Stainless Steel Bolts + Washers + Nylon Nuts (Slatted Floors)
Special fasteners for slatted floors, nylon nuts have a self-locking function and are not easy to loosen in the humid environment of pig farms.
High-quality sow stalls are the basic guarantee for the healthy production of sows. Relying on solid materials, exquisite craftsmanship and humanized design details, Qingdao Famou Machinery provides reliable product choices for breeders. When purchasing, it is recommended to comprehensively consider epidemic prevention needs, service life and budget according to the actual situation of the pig farm, and select the most suitable stall plan.