3.6.1 Ferkelnest 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

Bay elements

3.6 Piglet nest

3.6.1 Size and floor layout

The size of piglet pens is determined by the space requirements of a weaned piglet. The requirements for piglet pens are set out in the implementation guidelines³⁰ for the Animal Welfare Ordinance (TierSchNutztV). The duration of the suckling period must be taken into account, as longer suckling periods result in larger piglets and therefore larger piglet pens.

A solid floor is required in the lying area. Plastic floors are usually installed and, in most cases, heating is also integrated (Videos 10 and 11). It is also possible to divide the piglet nest into a heated and an unheated floor area.

If no active heating system is installed, sufficient bedding should be used to keep the piglets warm. Care must be taken to ensure that the bedding material is hygienically sound.

Video 10: Opening the piglet nest with a hot-water heating pad as the floor

Video 11: A look inside an open piglet nest with a hot-water heating pad as the floor

Practical experience

"A piglet pen that is large enough to allow all piglets to be kept there temporarily"

Section 23(4) of the Animal Welfare (Livestock) Ordinance

The resting area must allow all piglets to rest undisturbed at the same time and must either be thermally insulated and heated or covered with suitable bedding. Perforated flooring in the resting area for suckling piglets must be covered.

Installation instructions (as of May 2023)

All piglets are guaranteed to be able to rest undisturbed at the same time if there is sufficient space in the resting area for all piglets to lie in at least a half-side position simultaneously. In this context, both the average litter size and the average weaning weight of the piglets must be taken into account on a farm-by-farm basis.

The minimum size of the piglet nest can be calculated using the following formula:

0.033 * average weaning weight ^0.66 * average litter size
(space requirement for a half-side lying position under thermoneutral conditions according to Ekkel et al.³¹)

For new builds and conversions, the required minimum size of the piglet nest must be calculated using the above formula. The existing or expected performance data (litter size and weaning weight or weaning age) may be used as the basis for the calculation.

It is permissible to divide the piglet nest into an actively heated and an unheated section, provided that the entire lying area is solid-floored and thermally insulated or appropriately bedded.

In accordance with Section 27(1), suckling piglets may only be weaned at an age of over four weeks. Consequently, the above-mentioned requirements for the lying area must be met at least until the 28th day of life. In the case of longer suckling periods (weaning age > 28 days), the additional lying area required for the heavier piglets may, if necessary, be perforated.

Note: An average litter size of < 12 piglets is to be regarded as unrealistic unless it can be demonstrated that the average litter size is actually < 12 piglets.

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Table of Contents

Bay elements

3.6 Piglet nest

3.6.1 Size and floor layout

Practical experience

Section 23(4) of the Animal Welfare (Livestock) Ordinance