Free-exit farrowing crates

In pig farming, the demand for free-exit in the farrowing pen is increasing; in many European countries, free-exit is even part of (future) laws and regulations. Besides hygiene and animal welfare, (financial and technical) results are fundamental for the pig farmer.
In a free-exit stall pen, a sow has more room to move than in a fixed pen. Implementing free-exit stall pens has led to positive improvements based on animal welfare resulting in more milk production with higher quality. This leads to higher piglet quality with weaning weights approximately 0.9 kg higher.
What are the potential negative consequences of this housing? A major disadvantage is the higher risk of dead piglets in free-range stall housing. Van Osch Uden responds to this by controlling sow and piglet behaviour with pen design. In the design of the loose housing pen, issues such as safety for the carer, ease of work, lying behaviour of the sow, escape routes for the piglets, drop bars and piglet nests play an important role. Free-exit stall pens are available with both fixed and movable floors.