Proper Pen Design — First Step in Waste Management

Good waste management begins with good pen (sty) design. ICAR recommends specific design features that make it easy to collect and remove waste before it causes problems.

ICAR-Recommended Piggery Layout

ICAR's NRC on Pig recommends a 'slatted floor' or 'sloped cemented floor' design for pig pens. The floor should slope 2–3% toward a central drainage channel so that urine and wash water flow away naturally without pooling under the animals. (ICAR – NRC Pig, Piggery Design and Construction Manual, 2019)

• Floor slope: 1 inch drop per 3 feet towards the drainage channel

• Drainage channel: 30 cm wide × 30 cm deep, covered with removable grating for easy cleaning

• Solid waste collection pit: Built at the end of the drainage channel, outside the pen area

• Liquid waste settling tank: Separate from solid waste, to treat effluent before disposal

• Roof overhang: At least 3 feet to prevent rain from flooding the pen and mixing with waste

Pen Cleaning Schedule

ICAR recommends a strict daily cleaning routine. Pens should be scraped of solid dung at least twice daily (morning and evening), followed by water washing. Regular cleaning is the single most effective way to prevent disease on any pig farm. (ICAR – NRC Pig, Swine Health Management, 2022)

Time

Activity

Purpose

Every morning (6–7 AM)

Scrape and collect solid dung; transfer to compost pit

Remove pathogens; prevent fly breeding

After morning scraping

Wash floor with water; allow to drain

Remove urine and residue

Every evening (5–6 PM)

Scrape again; add dung to compost

Night accumulation removed

Weekly

Full disinfection with lime wash (10% solution)

Kill bacteria, viruses

Monthly

Deworming of pens and drains

Control parasites