Farrowing barn camera

[NPS]

I am looking for feedback on those of you that use cameras in your farrowing barn to monitor activity. More specificly wireless long range.

[mtbkmom]

Wow do they ever make a difference. Random checks with camera,but eye on the sow checks are scheduled. Not only do we look to see is there a baby in the crate yet (not good), but after awhile you can tell if they are sound asleep and restling or laying down and breathing faster,twitching their tail etc then you go out to the barn. Nathan has it on his computer, but also can bring them up on his phone so he can really keep checking wihtout running backand forth, not making the sow uptight with someone coming in/out and it is not as hot--TX and 100+ weather. I can bring them up on my computer in San Antonio and tell if the babies are out of creep food in their creep pans and give Nathan a call and give him a hard time. After they are born you can keep an eye on how the momma is taking care of them and if she is getting up to drink/eat/poop etc.

[BigWig]

Wow do they ever make a difference. Random checks with camera,but eye on the sow checks are scheduled. Not only do we look to see is there a baby in the crate yet (not good), but after awhile you can tell if they are sound asleep and restling or laying down and breathing faster,twitching their tail etc then you go out to the barn. Nathan has it on his computer, but also can bring them up on his phone so he can really keep checking wihtout running backand forth, not making the sow uptight with someone coming in/out and it is not as hot--TX and 100+ weather. I can bring them up on my computer in San Antonio and tell if the babies are out of creep food in their creep pans and give Nathan a call and give him a hard time. After they are born you can keep an eye on how the momma is taking care of them and if she is getting up to drink/eat/poop etc.

which one do you guys have?

[NexGen]

Make sure you buy a wireless camera that has network capabilities, if you want to be able to view when you are away from home. My husband bought mine and thought it had that, but it does not, so I am going to continue to use that one, but also buy another that does. Buy one with night vision, that allows you to watch their activity during the night when the lights are off before they farrow, that is an important feature. The range on mine I believe is about 400 feet from my house without any major obstructions in the way.They have a booster you can purchase as well, but not sure how much range that will add.

Costco has an ad in their lastest mailer good through Jan 26th. 4 weatherproof night vision cameras, with free remote viewing app for $299. It does not say if it is wireless.

[torf]

A friend just installed cameras in the farrowing barn and has one aimed at the sow pens. His are wireless and he gave me the login info and I can watch his pigs at my place it is pretty cool. I know he is a software guy so he has all the know how on hooking it up and linking it. I would never be able to do it.

[HogDoc]

Ours aren't aimed at the pigs but we have caught two thieves over the past couple years and used them to encourage one employee to seek other opportunities.

[Rway]

I have a Uniden wireless model, and I only have one camera. It is electric in the barn, but the monitor is both electric and battery operated. The wireless is effected by the metal barn, and although it says 400 feet, it is more like 300 feet. In the morning, when I drive to work, I can drive by the barn and check the pigs that the camera is pointed too, from my truck. Which is nice. Looking to upgrade to more camera unit. What model and brand are people using?

[mtbkmom]

I am sorry....not getting back quick enough I know. Nathan is somewhere in west TX picking up some flooring and he put the cameras up someplace--we only farrow summer so we bring them in wintertime. We can rotate and turn them from wherever--even San Antonio so I can look at her head, her butt, or the sides of her and count the babies and make sure she doesn't look like she is laying on one. We can see it at nighttime also. Nathan is a computer geek so I really think you have to be. He got his online. The directions were not in English I believe but he knew how to figure it out. I will ask him when he gets back---I may be wrong about non-English directions, but I know he some tinkering to do before it worked for him.

[ONeilShowPigs]

D link makes a good and easy camera to use. It's only $70 from radio shack. It's wifi compatible It has 800ft range. But mine didn't work going through 2 metal walls at 300 ft. Had to buy a wireless repeater to boost signal. These can't be controlled remotely but are a good camera to just do checks on activity. You can pull it up on phone, computer or anywhere you can get to the website

[mtbkmom]

Livestock concepts is having a sale on what sounds like a good setup. Give them a calland see what they have to say about what have.