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NEW BARN SYNDROME 
Tail Biting, Ear Biting, Lameness

Veterinarians describe New Barn Syndrome as affecting the sows, growers, and finishers.

SOWS:  Hip, ankle, and hoof problems

When concrete is wet the hydrated lime in the concrete dissolves and is brought to the surface.  This creates caustic concrete and causes a skin reaction on the bottom of the foot pads As the hydrated lime dissolves it opens the pours of the concrete, and creates ideal conditions for bacterial growth.  Small cracks in the foot pad occur, allowing bacteria to enter into the animal's body causing joint infection in the knees, ankles, and hips.
With this lameness, producers suffer losses in terms of increased sow culling rate, breeding problems, and other management difficulties.

GROWING AND FINISHING HOGS:
New Barn Syndrome has been reported to also cause tail biting, and ear biting in growing and finishing hogs.  Producers suffer losses from New Barn Syndrome in the growing and finishing stages due to increase culling of animals because of:

1. Tail Biting
2. Ear Biting
3. Lameness

Experts agree that the chemicals in new concrete may cause ear biting and tail biting in growing pigs.  This lameness in growing pigs is caused by the same reason as mentioned earlier with the sows.

New and existing gestation barns can be sealed with Protec III Restore to help prevent bacteria buildup in the pores of the concrete. Protec III Restore reacts and neutralizes hydrated lime forming a glass membrane inside the concrete.  By filling the pores, bacteria have nowhere to grow inside the concrete.  Because the foot pad skin is protected from the caustic effects of the concrete, lameness problems can be prevented.

Protec III Restore hardens the concrete making it more durable for this environment.  

Protec III Restore leaves a non-slip surface for further protection of the animal.