Bulgarians love pork. The country’s pig production figures, however, do not reflect this preference: similar to other countries of the former Eastern Bloc, Bulgaria’s number of pigs took a nosedive when the country transitioned from a planned economy to a market economy. While the country’s farmers still kept 4.3 million pigs in 1990, the mark of one million has never been hit again since then. In 2021, the pig population consisted of around 700,000 heads. Boni Holding, the largest pig producer in Bulgaria and a long-time Big Dutchman customer, is aiming to help increase self-sufficiency with an ambitious large-scale project in the North of the country. The farm has recently started operation.
We are proud of our customers
From family farms to commercial farms, we supply them all – anywhere in the world. For thousands of farmers, Big Dutchman is THE supplier of pig equipment of any kind. And it makes no difference whether the farm is raising one thousand, ten thousand or twenty thousand animals.
To us it is quality that matters, not only quantity. We always have a workable solution for any possible problem. And many of these have been successfully installed already.
Here you will find some concrete examples:
Bulgarian pig producer turns old into new
Pig production | Big Dutchman equips 40 pig houses
– All equipment was purchased from Big Dutchman. The video linked below provides interesting insights. –
The undertaking has an impressive size: the farm, located close to the city of Pleven, can house 2,300 sows, has 14,000 spaces for piglets and 19,500 places for finishers. Every year, nearly 80,000 pigs from the farm are ready for slaughter. Boni Holding has established a closed system.
All pig housing on the farm was built in 1985 and therefore definitely a case for Big Dutchman: having supported the reconstruction of numerous poultry and pig farms in the post-Soviet states since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the pig equipment supplier from Germany is considered a master of the trade.
In Pleven, 40 old houses were reconstructed, and sow management was added as a new production branch. Slurry basins, house roofs, piping and roads were also refurbished, and the project included the addition of an office building, a showering facility, a canteen and a loading station.
When pigs are kept in a closed system, a wide range of equipment is needed, since the pigs have varying needs regarding accommodation and feed during the different stages of their life. Boni Holding, which operates pig farms at six more locations in Bulgaria, elected the following equipment for Pleven (a selection):
Sow management
Gestation
The sows are kept in groups while they are pregnant. The farm managers selected the computer-controlled CallMaticpro electronic sow feeding (ESF) system for the gestation area.
This combination of animal welfare management system and feeding system provides the sows with much freedom of movement. The farm managers benefit from being able to supply each animal according to its daily needs. The sows are thus healthier and in a better condition.
CulinaCup feeding system for suckling pigs
Until the piglets are weaned, they receive additional liquid feed through patented cups that are much in demand. This semi-automatic feeding system for suckling pigs is called CulinaCup and was developed specifically for large litters. Every single piglet can take in as much milk replacers and liquid pre-starters as needed, with benefits especially for smaller and less assertive piglets. Since the provided feed amounts are quite small, the feed is always fresh.
Piglet rearing
Automatic feeder PigNic Jumbo
After weaning, the piglets move into the nursery. To make sure that weight gains and feed conversion are as required, Boni Holding selected a global Big Dutchman classic: the automatic feeder PigNic Jumbo was designed for easy access to the feed so the young pigs get used to it very quickly.
Climate control
Classic Big Dutchman climate elements such as the 307pro climate computer in combination with the CL 600 exhaust air chimneys, the CL 1200 fresh air inlets and the JetMaster gas heater ensure that the climate in the barn is ideal for the pigs during all seasons. This is important, because (animal) welfare and bad air are mutually exclusive – both for the pigs and the staff.
Finishing
Feeding system
Reliably supplying 90,000 finishing pigs per year with feed requires a feeding system that is very robust, that has a high conveying capacity, that transports feed with minimal losses – and that has a long service life.
Consequently, Boni Holding selected the DryRapid pipe conveying system. DryRapid is very versatile and especially well-suited for the modernisation of existing barns.
Pig housing equipment
Hygiene is an important factor in the well-being of pigs and therefore plays a vital role for economic success. Big Dutchman pig equipment accommodates this fact, which is why Boni Holding selected the Big Dutchman penning system for the Pleven farm. The pen profiles have a smooth and solid surface and close perfectly, making thorough cleaning very easy.
Hardly one barn is like the other. To pay heed to as many penning wishes as possible, Big Dutchman offers a flexible, modular system from which pig producers can select exactly what they need.
