Litterless Housing Systems in the Farrowing Area I : Project Overview and Housing Environment

Abstract

In the project presented here, three housing variants (conventional crate stall, opening crate stall, activity pen) for nursing sows featuring identi- cal environmental conditions were compared over a period of several years. In addition, the objective was to study the effects of a temporally and quantitatively limited straw supply. This first contribution provides an overview of the project. In addition, the results of stall climate meas- urements and the evaluation of pen soiling will be presented. The improved freedom of motion for the mother animals did not result in measurable effects on the stall climate. Small quantities of straw did not lead to any increase in the concentration of suspended dust in the stall air. In quantitative terms, the soiling of otherwise clean pen areas in the activity pens due to the increased mobility of the sows was insignificant.