A well-planned pig farm needs more than just growing pens. According to ICAR (2016), the following special pens and areas are essential:

Quarantine Pen: Any new pig brought to the farm must be kept in a separate quarantine pen for at least 3 weeks before mixing with existing animals. This prevents introduction of new diseases. The quarantine pen should be located away from other pens, preferably downwind.

Sick Animal Pen (Hospital Pen): A dedicated pen for isolating sick animals. This pen makes treatment easier and prevents disease spreading to healthy pigs.

Mating Pen: A separate pen where the sow is brought to the boar for mating. The floor should be non-slippery with good grip. Size of mating pen: 3.0 m × 3.0 m is recommended (ICAR, 2016).

Feed Storage Room: A dry, well-ventilated room to store feed and prevent spoilage due to moisture or rodents. Proper storage reduces feed wastage significantly.

Type of Pen / Area

Recommended Size

Purpose

Quarantine Pen

3.0 m × 3.0 m

Isolate new arrivals (3 weeks)

Hospital / Sick Pen

3.0 m × 2.5 m

Treat and isolate sick pigs

Mating Pen

3.0 m × 3.0 m

Safe mating environment

Farrowing Pen

2.5 m × 2.5 m

Birthing and nursing piglets

Boar Pen

2.5 m × 5.0 m min.

Adult male housing

Feed Storage Room

10–15 sq.m (per 20 pigs)

Dry feed storage

Manure Collection Pit

3.0 m × 2.0 m × 1.5 m

Composting and biogas

Table 8: Special Pens and Areas Required on a Pig Farm (Source: ICAR, 2016)

Category

Floor Space (sq.m)

Feeder Space (cm)

Water/day (L)

Ideal Temp (°C)

Newborn Piglet

0.5 (in creep)

—

Mother's milk

30–32

Weaner (8–16 wks)

0.6–0.8

20–25

2–3

22–26

Grower (16–24 wks)

0.8–1.0

25–28

5–8

18–22

Finisher (>24 wks)

1.0–1.2

28–30

8–12

16–20

Gestating Sow

1.5–2.0

30–35

15–18

16–20

Farrowing Sow

5.0–6.0

35–40

18–22

18–22

Boar

6.0–7.0

40

20–25

15–20

Table 9: ICAR Summary of Space, Feeding, Watering, and Temperature Needs by Pig Category (Source: ICAR, 2013, 2016)