The area where piglets spend the first several weeks of their lives requires quality livestock equipment and needs to be kept at a suitable temperature. Not only does Vittetoe, Inc. in Keota, IA, supply local farmers with the high-quality equipment they need, but they’re also staffed by farming experts familiar with the challenges of raising livestock. One of the company’s most essential products is the heat mat. Here are a few reasons why farmers choose this heating method to care for their piglets.

3 Benefits of Including Heat Mats in Your Livestock Equipment Setup

1. Efficient Coverage

Farrowing stalls are rectangular, which makes heating mats a logical choice. They’re designed to be placed in a corner away from the nursing sow. The large surface area provides the recommended 0.33 square feet of space per piglet. The mat typically leaves a six-inch area of unheated flooring between the piglets and the sow to keep the sow cooler and more comfortable in the livestock building.

2. Minimized Crush Risk

That six-inch gap is crucial for reducing the risk that the sow will kill the piglets by laying on and crushing them. Other types of livestock equipment, like heat lamps, spread warmth to the entire stall. The piglets tend to gravitate toward their mother for warmth, but this puts their lives at risk. The heat mat solves this problem by keeping the piglets at a safe distance.

3. Reliable Warmth

With heat lamps, farmers run the risk of a bulb burning out when they’re not there. They may go home for the night only to come back and realize the piglets spent several hours without warmth. This can cause a host of health issues, including scours problems, respiratory infections, and delayed growth. Pig heat mats use electricity or hot water, which eliminates the risk of a blowout.

Proper heat placement is an essential step in the farrowing process. Heat mats provide an efficient source of supplemental warmth to help piglets grow and thrive. Ask the experts at Vittetoe, Inc. for specific information about their available livestock equipment. Call them at (614) 636-2259 or visit their website for more information.