November 15, 2016

By Gilbert VandenHeuvel

Slat Gap Cover

Necessity is the mother of invention. (author unknown)

With Denmark banning fully slated floors and farms all around the world retooling to comply with organic flooring standards, something was needed to cover in the gaps in slats. Producers who need to increase the proportion of solid flooring which are already fitted with fully slated floor already installed required a solution.  Replacing the slats was too expensive so an opportunity to find a solution was up for grabs.

A Danish tool-maker, Brian Johannsen, come up with the Slat Gap Cover.  After a few attempts, Mr Johannsen came up with a design (patent pending) which was simple yet effective and importantly, pig proof.

The designs where evaluated on a Danish Pig Research Centre.  Staff there were surprised by the simplicity of the design, ease of fitting and the ingenious locking mechanism

AgBuilt is the North American distributor for the Slat Gap Cover.

Sold at Dwyer Mfg.

Installation is simple, Slat Gap is cut to length with a any tool that cuts wood, placed between the slats and eased into place by treading down on it or by hitting it with a rubber mallet.

Slat Gap was first produced for 18-22 mm gaps but 14-18 mm and 25-32 mm Slat Gap are also available.

The type of plastic used is resistant to the harsh environment of a pig barn.  The plastic type is called High Density Polyethylene.  To learn more about HDPE CLICK HERE

While the initial use was to reduce the amount of open space more benefits have come to light:

• Slat Gap can be installed in high traffic areas to protect the edges of the slats from deterioration.

• Spilled feed will stay on top of slats allowing another chance for pigs to eat it, decreasing feed wastage.

• Slat Gap helps reduce the amount of concrete corrosion of slat edges from acidic feeds such as liquid whey.

• The comfort of pregnant sows greatly increases with Slat Gap installed in the laying area with the manure area left open.

• Drafts coming up through the slats can be managed with the Slat Gap placed in strategic areas in the pen creating comfortable sleeping areas.

• Sow group housing improvements can be made when feet problems are found by simply adding Slat Gap.  According to a Prairie Swine Centre study “In group systems with slatted floors, good slat quality is essential to improve comfort and minimize foot and leg injuries. Slat width and gap is also important and sows are more comfortable on a wide slat that allows them to easily stand with their whole foot on the solid part of the slat, rather than having one half of a hoof down the edge of the gap. Slat widths of 125mm (5”) with an 19-20mm (3/4”+) gap are ideal. ”  Find whole Article HERE

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To get a more information or a quote, call us at Dwyer Manufacturing.

 1-800-323-3405, local: 519-527-2285

Credit to authors of these three articles with supporting information:

http://www.bjd.dk/slap-gap-cover

http://www.thepigsite.com/articles/4504/floor-slat-gap-cover-has-many-uses/

http://www.pigprogress.net/Finishers/Articles/2015/2/-1710822W/