2.3.1 Abferkelbucht Liegekomfort - 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

2.3 Floor design

2.3.1 Lying comfort for sows

Sows prefer a soft surface. Bedding can be used to meet this need. The use of mats alone is unsuitable. Although elastic bedding materials have a pressure-relieving effect, their use can lead to an increased incidence of shoulder injuries. The mats remain very damp because they take longer to dry out or because the liquid does not drain away. The persistent dampness causes the shoulder tissue to soften, promoting the development of lesions. In a publication by Meyer and Menzer⁸, a comparison of different flooring options using rubber mats revealed mild to severe shoulder injuries in 21.7% of sows. Richter¹¹ considers the combination of rubber mats and bedding to be beneficial for the sow.

It should also be noted that rubber mats prevent heat dissipation!

Lying comfort is also significantly influenced by the quality of the flooring. Clean workmanship, seamless transitions between different materials and burr-free slats in the slatted flooring are important.

In addition to shoulder lesions, teat injuries also play a major role in the choice of flooring. Cast floors, in particular, cause severe teat injuries.⁸ The risk of teat injuries arises from the intensive contact between the udder and the floor. A fully perforated sow pen floor increases the risk of damage to the sows’ udders, particularly of abrasions to the teats. In contrast, solid concrete causes fewer udder injuries.¹²

In a study by Meyer et al.¹³, slatted floors with footwells were compared with slatted floors featuring upward-curved profiles. The use of slatted floors with footwells successfully combined lying comfort with the prevention of injuries.

Guidance on the use of bedding

Bedding made of straw or sawdust:
- A flat, stable surface is required; either the entire pen or part of the pen may be flat and stable
- Deep litter is generally unsuitable due to its detrimental insulating effect
- If there is too much straw, there is a risk that piglets will be unable to reach safety and will be crushed
Minimum bedding:
- considered¹⁴ more favourable
- 50%, preferably 60%, of the floor area should be solid with minimal bedding, combined with a non-slip slatted floor

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Table of Contents

farrowing pen

2.3 Floor design

2.3.1 Lying comfort for sows