With the 7th amendment to the Animal Welfare and Livestock Management Ordinance (TierSchNutztV)1, which came into force on 9 February 2021, new requirements apply, among other things, to the housing of sows in farrowing pens. The conventional farrowing crate must be replaced by exercise pens or pens for free farrowing. In the past, the reduction in suckling piglet losses was seen as the main argument for the consistent use of farrowing crates. Other countries where free farrowing has been practised for some time show that, under local conditions – for example, through a good housing environment and calm, maternal sows – crushing losses need not occur. Therefore, the severe restriction of the sows’ movement can no longer be justified.
This guide is primarily intended to assist farmers in implementing the necessary changes on their farms in a practical manner. Scientific findings from recent years, combined with the long-standing experience of practitioners, have been incorporated into this guide to provide concrete recommendations for action.
Some farms in Germany are already using exercise pens or free farrowing and have gained valuable insights in the process. The Animal Welfare Competence Centre for Pigs, part of the Fokus Tierwohl network, conducted a survey of practitioners on this topic. The aim was to gain an overview of the types of pens already in use. Above all, however, the practical experience gathered on farms was to be collated so that it could be made available to other farmers, thereby supporting them in meeting the challenges ahead. Some of the responses have been included in this guide as practical experience.
Survey results: Free farrowing
The guide was produced as part of the ‘Fokus Tierwohl’ network. The ‘Fokus Tierwohl’ project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) as part of the Federal Livestock Farming Programme. It is a joint project involving the Chambers of Agriculture and agricultural institutions from all federal states, aimed at improving the transfer of knowledge into practice in order to make pig, poultry and cattle farms fit for the future in terms of animal-welfare-friendly, environmentally sound and sustainable livestock farming. For the first time, this network brings together specialist knowledge, organises the exchange of experience between practitioners, scientists, advisors and other groups, and thereby facilitates and promotes knowledge-sharing within the sector.
a For the sake of readability, the masculine form is used when referring to people in this guide. In the spirit of equal treatment, the corresponding terms apply to all genders. The use of the masculine form is purely for editorial reasons and does not imply any judgement.