3 Buchtenelemente - 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

Bay elements

Figure 21: The unfolded farrowing crate acts as a spacer from the wall and allows the piglets to leave the sow’s activity area unhindered. A resting bar is attached to one of the pen walls.
(Image: Netzwerk Fokus Tierwohl, DLG e.V.)

To ensure comfortable and safe working conditions in and around the pens, care should be taken to keep access routes clear, ensure there are no bottlenecks, and ensure that passageways are at least 40 cm wide.²⁴ Easy access to the pen, smooth-operating latches on the pen doors, and specific design features, such as tilting troughs and manure discharge openings, facilitate the management of the pens.⁸

It is essential to provide unobstructed escape routes for the piglets, ideally all around the sow’s activity area as well as within it, to minimise piglet losses (Fig. 21 and Video 5). Pen fittings must also not create any barriers.

Video 2: Low pen walls and a passageway to the farrowing pen

Video 3: Swivelling bay elements for driving in

Video 4: Swivel trough

Video 5: Escape routes for piglets using deflectors

Partition units for a comfortable working environment

Practical experience
"Simple and sturdy locks are important"
"Important: escape areas for piglets all around"
"Easy access to the piglet nest and sow trough"
"Break away from the usual pen layout when planning; exercise pens bring with them a whole new set of challenges"

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Table of Contents

Bay elements

Partition units for a comfortable working environment

Practical experience