2.5 Abferkelbucht Auslauf - 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

2.5 Run-off

Figure 19: Exits from free-range pens with a flat, straw-bedded area
(Image: S. Gäckler, DLG e.V.)

Figure 20: Exit area of a free-range pen with a paved surface and plastic slats
(Image: Netzwerk Fokus Tierwohl, North Rhine-Westphalia Chamber of Agriculture)

Each farrowing pen can be supplemented with an outdoor run. Particular attention must be paid to functionality here, e.g. ensuring there is enough space for the sow to turn around or the ability to muck out using a tractor. However, the size of the outdoor run cannot be included in the pen size.

An outdoor run measuring 2.5 m² per sow is mandatory for organic farms (Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/464).⁵ There are various options for roofing, although the association-specific guidelines must be observed here. Roofing the outdoor run is advantageous for several reasons. Firstly, it provides shade, and secondly, the covered part of the run remains dry. A fixed roof can span the entire run or part of it. Windbreak nets primarily serve as sun protection.

The outdoor run can be constructed with a concrete base and bedding (Fig. 19). To minimise the formation of puddles and ensure the floor is easy to clean, the concrete should be smoothed. A drainage system that removes urine and rainwater as quickly as possible reduces the frequency of mucking out. However, concrete loses its slip resistance over time due to frequent mechanical scraping and must therefore be checked regularly and, if necessary, roughened up. Perforated floors have the advantage that excrement and any accumulated dirt or rainwater fall directly through the slats into the underlying slurry channels or the manure channel for scraper mucking out. This results in less soiling of the floor surface and the pigs and has a positive effect on slip resistance and odour emissions.⁷ A combination of solid and perforated flooring is also possible (Fig. 20).

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farrowing pen

2.5 Run-off