[Practical findings into keeping sows with piglets in a free-range forest enclosure - A practical report]

This practical report refers to the farm's own data (weight development, sow behavior and lactation) from 2 farrowing passages (DG) in a free-range forest enclosure (DG 1 Feb. 2025: 5 sows; DG 2 May 2025: 3 sows). An additional trial passage (5 sows) in the summer of 2024 was included for the production data. The sows, which were artificially inseminated with Pietrain semen (crossbred sows: Schwäbisch-Hällisch*Pietrain), had 5 farrowing pens with heated piglet nests available for birth in a barn; a feeding area in the barn, the planned space with drinking troughs and a piglet free-range forest enclosure with 620 m² were accessible to sows and piglets at the latest from the 11^th day of life (LT) of the first litter of each DG. A few weeks later, the pasture (3,000 m²) and main free-range forest enclosure (16,000 m²) were also opened. Feeding took place with organic concentrate feed components with 11.22 MJ ME/kg, 12.8% crude protein content and large quantities of acre-grass (supplied or grazing). The piglets were not weaned and remained with the sows until natural weaning.On average (trial passage, DG 1 and DG 2), 82.3% of liveborn piglets reached a weight of approx. 25 kg. Losses by crushing were 12.3% (mainly on the first day after birth) and other losses were 5.4%. The average daily weight gain of piglets in DG 1 and DG 2 was between LT 29 (8.01 kg live weight) and LT 78 (29.18 kg live weight) at 432 grams; at the end of week 10, an average group weight of 25 kg was reached. The sows behaved mostly relaxed and neutral towards the farm staff, with a few animals being nervous occasionally. No sow showed aggressive behavior. Recognizable weaning took place from the 13^th/14^th week of life (LW), with the largest part of weaning completed by the 16^th/17^th LW.For the presented practical farm keeping sows with piglets in a free-range forest enclosure is an effective way of production. The husbandry system shows adequate daily weight gains, and the sows' distinct feed conversion capability during the natural lactation period means that they can be fed 100% organic feed without any problems. With regard to losses by crushing on the first day of life, management must be further optimized in terms of selection of sows and factors such as bedding.