Birth monitoring and heating system for piglets

A method for use in raising pigs comprising:

• locating a sow in a farrowing crate having a sow containing area and at least one piglet area into which the piglets can move;
• the farrowing crate having a sow containing area along which the sow can lie extending from a forward end of the farrowing crate to a rear end of the farrowing crate;
• the farrowing crate having at least one piglet area along side the sow containing area into which the piglets can move extending from a forward end of the farrowing crate to a rear end of the farrowing crate;
• providing a cover covering a part only of the piglet area and not covering the sow containing area;
• providing a heating device on the cover for heating the piglet area;
• the cover with the heating device thereon longitudinally being movable along the piglet area from a first position at the rear end of the farrowing crate to cover a part only of the piglet area wherein the part includes the rear end to a second position spaced forwardly of the rear end;
• prior to birth of the piglets, moving the cover with the heating device thereon longitudinally along the piglet area to the first position at the rear end;
• after birth of the piglets, moving the cover with the heating device thereon longitudinally along the piglet area to the second position spaced forwardly of the rear end;
• wherein the heating device is mounted on the cover for heating the piglet area under the cover and movable with the cover.