3.6 Buchtenelemente Ferkelnest - 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

3.6 Piglet nest

Fig. 48: Deflectors in front of the piglet nest create a piglet veranda
(Image: Netzwerk Fokus Tierwohl, FiBL Deutschland e.V.)

Piglet nests in free-farrowing pens and exercise pens can generally be designed in the same way. In both cases, it must be ensured that the sow cannot access the piglet nest or block the entrance.¹⁴ A ‘piglet veranda’ in front of the nest entrance can effectively prevent this (Fig. 48 and Video 8).

Video 8: Piglet pen in front of the farrowing pen

The piglet nest is designed to provide the animals with a safe haven. Wilhelm Schulte Remmert, an organic sow farmer and participant in the Animal Welfare Farm model and demonstration project, explains how he looks after the piglets during the critical days following birth in order to minimise piglet losses:

Video 9: The piglet nest in free farrowing

Vision Pig

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