{ "type": "mediaitem", "identifier": "mediaitem_2126", "subtype": "wmammodularcontent_gkn_dossier", "title": "Farrowing housing and management", "navtitle": "", "url": "/en/eurcaw-pigs/dossier/farrowing-housing-and-management-dossier", "language": "en_US", "metadata" : { "id": 18711, "identifier": "mediaitem_2126", "contenttype": "wmammodularcontent_gkn_dossier", "contenttype_title": "contenttype_wmammodularcontent_gkn_dossier", "url": "/en/eurcaw-pigs/dossier/farrowing-housing-and-management-dossier", "title": "Farrowing housing and management", "lead": "Health and welfare of sows is especially challenged with severe space restriction (e.g. in conventional crates), heat stress during warm periods, lack of nest building materials, and large litters. Challenges for the health and welfare of piglets – possibly leading to reduced growth and increased mortality - include high competition for teats, limited space for resting and for suckling, lack of exploratory material, and mutilations. Risks can be considerably reduced if correct measures and practices are introduced to meet the needs of sows and piglets.", "leadimage": { "source": "https://api.groenkennisnet.nl/upload_mm/7/e/6/2557_fullimage_nest%20building%20-%20jute%20sack%20%28photo%20wur%29.jpg", "width": 1280, "height": 720, "focuspoint-x": -1, "focuspoint-y": -1, "alternative_text": "Nest building jute sack - © WUR", "photographer": "© WUR", "photographer_hyperlink": "", "photo_license": "", "photo_license_hyperlink": "", "source_info": "", "source_info_hyperlink": "", "keywords": [ "pigs", "piglets", "housing", "farrowing", "sow", "piglet", "nest", "jute", "pig" ] }, "publication_date": "2022-03-09T09:37+02:00", "lastmodified_date": "2025-10-22T10:18+02:00", "expiration_date": "", "tags": [ "Dossier", "gkn_eurcaw", "English" ], "copyright": "", "external_id": "", "item_metadata": { "contentsubtype": "Dossier", "theme": ["gkn_eurcaw"], "keywords": [], "video_header": "", "contactperson": { "title": "EURCAW-Pigs", "url": "/en/groenkennisnet/person/editors-eurcaw-pigs" }, "experts": [], "link_extra_image": "", "last_update": "" } }, "contents": [ { "area": "main", "title": "Main", "elements": [ ] }, { "area": "aboutthisdossier", "title": "About this dossier", "contentarea_template": { "id": "contenttemplate_dossier", "name": "contenttemplate_dossier"},"background": false,"contentarea_leadtext": "This dossier aims to help Competent Authorities and other stakeholders with the issues related to farrowing housing and management. The dossier is updated periodically by the EURCAW-Pigs team. The text is meant to support Competent Authorities, and is not legally binding.","image": { "source": "https://api.groenkennisnet.nl/upload/068198bd-dac5-4a3d-9c31-b54c6cadf088_review-on-farrowing-housing-and-management-%2528version-1.0%2529id%253D997087.jpg", "width": 1280, "height": 720, "focuspoint-x": -1, "focuspoint-y": -1, "alternative_text": "" }, "elements": [ { "type": "text", "html": "

The dossier is based on EURCAW-Pigs “Review on farrowing housing and management<\/a>”. Five important key areas challenging the welfare of sows and/or piglets - therefore important as focus areas for inspections - are highlighted: Space and freedom to move; Comfortable climate; Nest building and exploration; Litter size and competition; and Mutilations.<\/p>

Each EURCAW-Pigs dossier is divided in the following 5 items: 'Legislation', ‘Welfare indicators’, ‘knowledge’, 'Inspiring examples', and 'Training courses'.<\/em><\/p>

Source photo: <\/em>©EURCAW-Pigs<\/em><\/sub><\/em><\/p>" } , { "identifier": "element_545952", "type": "modularcontent", "gkzindexmanual": { "title": "", "gkz_content_id": ["997087"] } } ] }, { "area": "legislation", "title": "Legislation", "contentarea_template": { "id": "contenttemplate_dossier", "name": "contenttemplate_dossier"},"background": true,"contentarea_leadtext": "The legal requirements related to farrowing housing and management can be found in Council Directives 98\/58\/EC and 2008\/120\/EC. In EURCAW-Pigs' Thematic factsheet on farrowing housing and management, the relevant legal requirements are summarized and presented in conjunction with the five focus areas for inspections.","image": { "source": "https://api.groenkennisnet.nl/upload/793c76fd-e792-47c0-8c64-52cd9e0398ea_farrowing-housing-and-management--thematic-factsheet-%2528version-1.0%2529id%253D1002465.jpg", "width": 1280, "height": 720, "focuspoint-x": -1, "focuspoint-y": -1, "alternative_text": "" }, "elements": [ { "type": "text", "html": "

Council Directive 98/58/EC<\/strong> sets down general standards for animals kept for farming purposes. Article 4 states that: “Member States shall ensure that the conditions under which animals (...) are bred or kept, having regard to their species and to their degree of development, adaptation and domestication, and to their physiological and ethological needs in accordance with established experience and scientific knowledge, comply with the provisions set out in the Annex.” <\/p>" } , { "identifier": "element_545955", "type": "modularcontent", "gkzindexmanual": { "title": "", "gkz_content_id": [ "1002465", "227815", "392255" ] } } ] }, { "area": "knowledge:basis", "title": "Knowledge: Basis", "contentarea_template": { "id": "contenttemplate_dossier", "name": "contenttemplate_dossier"},"background": false,"contentarea_leadtext": "To avoid unintended welfare problems in production, breeding, housing and management during and after farrowing, caretakers need to take the specific biology and behavioural needs of pigs into account. When specific needs are not met, frustration and stress in sows may lead to health problems and impaired lactation and maternal behaviour. Crating of sows, for example, is a particular welfare challenge for sows, while different options are available for keeping sows loose during farrowing and lactation.","image": {"error": "no image selected"}, "elements": [ { "type": "text", "html": "

Guidance<\/h2>

EURCAW-Pigs’ review of farrowing housing and management suggests improved practises for each of five key areas:<\/p>