4.1 Beschäftigungsmaterial - 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

Organic material

4.1 Activity materials

Figure 58: Unrestricted sow with a jute sack as enrichment material
(Image: Netzwerk Fokus Tierwohl, FiBL Deutschland e.V.)

The requirements of the new Animal Welfare Regulation (TierSchNutztV) regarding ‘fibre-rich organic enrichment materials’ have been in force since August 2021. Enrichment materials should generally be placed in the activity area; however, for sows kept in closed crates, at least one enrichment material must remain accessible.

To satisfy the instinct to build nests, sows are provided with modifiable materials prior to farrowing. To distinguish between nesting and enrichment materials, please note:

Jute sacks in closed crates are considered nesting material and not enrichment material.
Cotton/sisal ropes are additional enrichment material for the sow.
Even where bedding in the pen serves as nesting material, additional enrichment material for the sow is mandatory (for lactating sows, softwood, straw/alfalfa bales are suitable, for example). However, the bedding may also be regarded as enrichment material for the piglets.

Ensure that the jute sacks are securely fastened, or keep a second jute sack on hand as a “backup”. For sows, the distance between the bag and the floor must not exceed 40–45 cm (‘close to the floor’ = distance from the snout to the floor when the animal is standing upright); positioning the bag too low is undesirable from a hygiene perspective (Fig. 59). ⁴¹

When using these in farrowing pens, care should be taken to ensure they are suitable for piglets and sows, and that there are sufficient quantities of the relevant enrichment materials. For suckling piglets, cotton ropes are also well suited in addition to jute sacks (Fig. 59 and Video 14), but these must not be placed more than 15 cm above the floor (Fig. 60). For hygiene reasons, however, they should not reach down to the floor.

In the period following birth or during free-range access, it is recommended to provide hay and/or straw via a hay rack (Video 15). This should be positioned above the trough or an area with reduced slats and allow for exploratory behaviour (root-digging) (Fig. 61).

Note

Laut TierSchNutztV ist ein Beschäftigungsmaterial für jeweils 12 Tiere erforderlich!

With average litter sizes, at least two types of bedding are therefore required for the piglets alone.

Video 14: A jute sack as enrichment material for sows and piglets

Video 15: Straw as enrichment material in a hay rack above the trough

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Table of Contents

Organic material

4.1 Activity materials

Note