Farrowing stall design tips to support sow comfort and piglet safety during birth and early days.
A good Kunekune farrowing pen has to do two jobs at the same time: give the sow enough room to settle and nurse comfortably, while giving newborn piglets a warm, dry place where they can get away from the sow. There is no single stall dimension, bedding depth, rail height, or ventilation number that fits every sow and every barn.
1. Size the Pen to the Sow and the System
The sow should be able to stand, lie fully on her side, rise without striking a wall, and—when using a free-farrowing pen—turn comfortably. Larger sows need more room than smaller gilts. The pen also needs a protected piglet area that is not part of the sow's normal lying path.
2. Use a Protected Piglet Creep Area
Think in zones, not one heated stall
Sow resting + nursing zone
Room to stand, lie fully on her side, rise safely and—when free-farrowing—turn comfortably.
Protected piglet creep
A warm, dry area outside the sow’s normal lying path, with localized heat when needed.
Feed + water
Secure, easy for the sow to reach, and arranged so piglets are not trapped or exposed to a drowning hazard.
Observation + access
Keep sight lines open so the whole litter can be seen and a chilled or weak piglet can be reached quickly.
The exact dimensions change with the sow and barn; the functional separation is the important part.
Newborn piglets need a much warmer microclimate than the sow. A practical farrowing setup keeps the overall sow area relatively cool while providing localized warmth for the litter. Newborn piglets are commonly most comfortable around 85–95°F, while lactating sows are more comfortable much cooler. [2]
Watch the piglets rather than relying on one thermometer reading. Piglets that pile tightly may be cold; piglets that consistently avoid the heated area may be too warm.
3. Heat Sources Must Be Secure
Heat mats, protected radiant heaters, or securely mounted heat lamps can be used to create the piglet microclimate. Any electrical or radiant heat source must be installed so the sow cannot damage it, cords are protected, and combustible bedding cannot contact a hot lamp or fixture. A warm creep area should draw piglets away from the sow's resting zone rather than heat the entire pen.
In my own farrowing setup, I care less about copying somebody else's exact stall dimensions than about whether I can see the whole litter, reach a piglet quickly, and give the litter a warm protected zone. I keep newborn litters in their protected farrowing setup for roughly the first two weeks through tagging and microchipping, and I use heat lamps during that critical period when supplemental warmth is needed.
4. Bedding: Dry, Clean, and Manageable
Nesting material can support normal sow behavior and help keep piglets dry, but there is no evidence-based rule that every Kunekune farrowing pen needs a fixed 12-inch or deeper layer. Use enough clean, dry bedding for comfort and nesting while keeping newborn piglets visible and mobile and keeping bedding safely away from heat equipment.
5. Reduce Crushing Risk With the Whole Pen Design
Piglet rails or other escape spaces can help in some pen designs, but their exact placement should match the sow's size and the pen geometry. [1] Good traction, adequate floor space, a warm creep area, observation around farrowing, and keeping piglets vigorous and warm all matter. No bedding depth or rail measurement can guarantee that a piglet will not be crushed.
6. Feed and Water Without Creating a Piglet Hazard
Use a securely mounted or tip-resistant waterer that the sow can reach easily and that does not create a trapping or drowning hazard for piglets. We do not recommend old tires as a standard water-pan holder inside farrowing pens. They add another surface to clean and can create awkward spaces for newborn piglets.
7. Ventilation Without Drafts
Fresh air is essential, but ventilation should be adjusted for the building, weather, stocking density, and humidity rather than using one universal air-change rate. [1] Keep ammonia and moisture low while avoiding cold drafts across the piglet lying area.
8. Cleaning Between Litters
Remove organic material, wash and disinfect appropriate surfaces, and allow the pen to dry before the next litter whenever the management system permits. Keep the farrowing area dry during use and remove heavily soiled bedding promptly.
9. Make Observation Easy
The pen should let you safely check the sow, see the whole litter, reach a chilled or weak piglet, and provide treatment when needed without creating unnecessary stress. A separate warm holding area can be useful for brief supportive care, but piglets should return to the sow as soon as practical.
© 2026 BF Farm Kunekune Pigs
Sources & References
- Pork Information Gateway: Baby Pig Management—Birth to Weaning
- Iowa State University Extension: Localized Heating in Swine Housing
About the Author
Mark Bengtson approaches farrowing-space design from the first two weeks of real litter management: clear sight lines, quick access to a piglet, a protected warm zone, and room to keep each litter separately managed through tagging and microchipping. Exact temperatures, reproductive questions, and piglet-safety guidance remain tied to the cited professional sources.