2.1 Abferkelbucht Größe - Netzwerk Fokus Tierwohl

	Foreword
1	Introduction
2	Farrowing pen
2.1	Farrowing pen – size
2.2	Farrowing pen – layout
2.3	Farrowing pen – floor design
2.3.1	Farrowing pen – Floor design: Lying comfort for the sow
2.3.2	Farrowing pen – Floor design: Slip resistance
2.4	Farrowing pen – Pen structure
2.5	Farrowing pen – Run-out area
3	Pen components
3.1	Pen elements – pen walls
3.2	Bay elements – Storage aids
3.3	Pen elements – troughs/drinking troughs for sows and piglets
3.4	Pen components – Piglet protection cage
3.5	Pen components – Cover for sow resting area
3.6	Pen components – Piglet nest
3.6.1	Pen elements – piglet nest: size and floor design
3.6.2	Pen elements – piglet nest: Position
3.6.3	Pen elements – piglet nest: Covering/walls
3.6.4	Pen elements – Piglet nest: Temperature in piglet nest
3.6.5	Pen elements – piglet nest: Piglet nest temperature control
3.6.6	Pen elements – piglet nest: Heat source
3.6.7	Pen elements – piglet nest: Heating the piglet nest
3.6.8	Pen elements – Piglet nest: Lighting
4.1	Organic material – enrichment material
4.2	Organic material – Manure removal and slurry technology
5.1	Climate – Creation of climate zones
5.2	Climate – Temperature regulation
6	Cleaning and Disinfection
	Bibliography

farrowing pen

2.1 Size

As sows are confined in crates in exercise pens from shortly before birth until several days afterwards, and older piglets are better able to avoid the sow’s movements, exercise pens can be provided in smaller spaces than pens for free farrowing. Nevertheless, there are size requirements to be observed:

conventional: min. 6.5 m² (Animal Welfare Ordinance)⁴
organic: min. 7.5 m² internal area (Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/464)⁵

Note: Pens with at least 7 m² are considered more functional, as larger piglet nests now result in a loss of space for the sow to move around.

Trials with larger pens (9.7 m²) showed negative effects in free farrowing systems. Here, there were higher losses of suckling piglets due to the sow dropping them uncontrollably or rolling over them. Very large pens (> 7 m²) also increase the risk of piglets failing to find the farrowing nest, becoming chilled, falling ill and, in some cases, dying.⁶

Animal Welfare Ordinance, Section 24(4)

A farrowing pen in which the gilts or sows can move freely must have a floor area of at least six and a half square metres and allow the gilts or sows to turn around without hindrance. A farrowing pen must also be designed in such a way that there is sufficient space behind the resting area for the gilts or sows to farrow without hindrance and for obstetric assistance to be provided.

Practical experience

"Greater effort required for washing → more space for fewer animals"

"It’s better to make the pen a bit bigger than too small."

"Space for birthing assistance"

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Table of Contents

farrowing pen

2.1 Size

Animal Welfare Ordinance, Section 24(4)

Practical experience