Trials have previously shown that during the first 48 hours of life, new born piglets are reluctant to use forward-creep areas. In the neo-natal period, in order to prevent piglets lying in the danger-zone, luxury creep heating has been proposed. This comprises temporary heating at the rear and sides of the sow. On commercial farms, various luxury creep-heating systems are used. In an attempt to increase the precision and safety aspects of luxury creep-heating, a purpose-built device has been developed on a commercial farm. Trials were therefore undertaken, in co-operation with Eastern Electricity, to compare this system to a conventional forward-creep system.

A total of 124 litters supplied only with a 150 watt heater in the creep box (Control) was compared to 124 litters provided with the luxury regime. The supply line for the luxury device is shown diagramatically in Figure 1. It comprised a timber-mounted mains electricity power-line, temporarily suspended prior to farrowing above and behind groups of 4 sows. The line provided three 13 amp sockets for each litter and supplied a 300 watt dull-emitter located behind the sow and two 175 watt, dull emitters suspended in the side creep areas.