Family feeding trough for a sow with piglets

VERBA Family Feeder (KZB)

The VERBA KZB is a family feeder for farrowing pens, featuring a specially lowered trough that delivers excellent results; it has been specifically developed for free-range farrowing (rearing) pens. The development of the KZB feeding trough was inspired by nature, where piglets start eating solid feed as early as fourteen days old. This is simply because, as in nature, the piglet imitates its mother. With the KZB, we observe that the first piglets start feeding alongside the sow and consuming solid feed as early as 4 to 5 days.

Category:
Full description →

Highlights

  • 1 Feeding trough from which both sows and piglets eat
  • Made entirely of 304 stainless steel
  • ½” stainless steel water connection for sows with external thread
  • Extremely robust, fully 304 stainless steel dosing mechanism and trough
  • After just a few days, the piglets start feeding alongside the sow. Saliva production begins
  • Virtually no weaning slump
  • Much less use of prestarter
  • Piglets gain weight on average one week earlier
  • By the end of the suckling period, the piglets are already fully accustomed to solid feed
  • Both sows and piglets can operate the dosing system
  • A unique and very popular feeding trough for the farrowing and rearing pen
  • Excellent value for money
  • Jarno Brummelhuis, a Topigs sub-breeder, in *Boerderij*: “You don’t see any weaning dip, and weaning diarrhoea doesn’t occur here. Verba’s family feeder contributes to this. The piglets stay in the same pen after weaning and know their way to the trough.”
  • Niek Lansink, a sow farmer, in *Boerderij*: “Weaning the piglets requires very little work and they continue to grow without any problems. This is partly thanks to the Verba family feeders, which allow the animals to learn to eat alongside their mothers.”
All specifications and models →

Warranty

3 years’ warranty against material and manufacturing defects; drinking spouts come with a 1-year warranty against manufacturing defects. All drinking spouts are suitable for water only, not for any additives.

Product in practice →

Request for advice
Download leaflet

Description

Optimise your pig farm with the robust VERBA Family Feeder (KZB)

The VERBA Family Feeder (KZB) is the ideal solution for sows with piglets. Made from durable 304 stainless steel with beaded edges, this unique feeder provides easy access for both the sow and her piglets. Thanks to the feeder’s lowered trough, the piglets can start feeding alongside the sow from a very young age.

Advantages of the VERBA Family Feeder (KZB)

  • Stainless steel drinking nipple: Fitted with a stainless steel drinking nipple, the sow can teach her piglets to eat and drink from an early age.
  • Early Feeding: Piglets often start eating solid feed as early as 5 days old, which helps their digestive system and salivary glands to adapt. This minimises the weaning dip at a later stage.
  • User-friendly: Users appreciate its simplicity, affordability and results, such as preventing weaning dip.
  • Quick Payback Period: The Family Feeding System is a “Quick Win” for every farrowing pen and pays for itself quickly.
  • Improved Health: Research shows that the peace and quiet provided by the feeding trough results in fewer dropouts and stillbirths. As a result, sows emerge from the farrowing pen in better condition and with a higher feed intake.
  • Active/Fit sows: Sows consume fresh feed according to their own needs, get up and about more often and are therefore fitter.
  • Minimal feed wastage: Partially enclosed sides prevent spillage. The small portions ensure that the trough is completely emptied of food and drink.
  • Space-saving: It is only 21 cm deep, so there is very little loss of space in terms of depth.

Less feed wastage

The VERBA Family Feeding Trough (KZB) prevents feed wastage, unlike traditional feeding plates. Measurements show that less feed is spilled than with conventional sow troughs. Since 2016, 10,000 VERBA Family Feeding Troughs (KZB) have been sold in Europe, and demand continues to rise.

Available models and options

The Family Feeder is available in all sizes, with standard models measuring 310 mm and 400 mm in width. It is also ideal for large litters of piglets that remain in the pen after the sow has been moved. The 400 mm wide VERBA Family Feeder is the most popular. Additional options include extra water pipes, a transparent viewing window and a piglet drinking trough on the side.

Customer results

  • Weight gain: “After four weeks, the average weight per piglet was 800–900 grams heavier than under my conventional system.”
  • Fewer Absences: “My piglet mortality rate up to weaning has fallen by 3% since switching to the VERBA Family Feeder (KZB).”
  • Improved Feed Intake: “My sows used to eat 7 kg a day; now they eat 9 kg a day, resulting in fitter sows and better milk production.”
  • Feed conversion: “My feed conversion ratio has gone from 1.66 to 1.55, with an average weight gain of 1 kg per piglet after 28 days.”

Scientific Support

Research by Wageningen University & Research shows that piglets that learn to eat solid feed in the farrowing pen grow better, are healthier and display better behaviour. Trouw Nutrition emphasises that it is important for feed to remain fresh and for piglets to learn to eat properly in the farrowing pen in order to prevent problems after weaning.

Read the article in *Nieuwe Oogst* about healthy piglets here.

BLK 1-Star Welfare Standards

The KZB Family Feeder meets the requirements of the Beter Leven 1-Star scheme. From 2025, these standards will apply to new builds or refurbishments and will become mandatory for all farrowing pens by 2035 at the latest. One of the key requirements is that the feeders must have a lowered trough so that farrowing piglets can also eat from them easily. The KZB Family Feeder, with its low trough, meets this requirement. As a result, this family feeder complies with the strictest welfare standards for farrowing pens.

Conclusion

The VERBA Family Feeder (KZB) offers numerous benefits for both sows and piglets. With proven results and scientific backing, this is the ideal feeder for optimising the health and growth of your pigs. Invest in the VERBA Family Feeder (KZB) today and experience the benefits for yourself!

Contact

For further information or to place an order, please contact us at info@verba.nl.

Related products