Specific housing conditions and husbandry practices for mammals
Article 11
1. Livestock housing shall have smooth, but not slippery floors. At least half of the indoor surface area as specified in Annex III shall be solid, that is, not of slatted or of grid construction. 2. The housing shall be provided with a comfortable, clean and dry laying/rest area of sufficient size, consisting of a solid construction which is not slatted. Ample dry bedding strewn with litter material shall be provided in the rest area. The litter shall comprise straw or other suitable natural material. The litter may be improved and enriched with any mineral product listed in Annex I. 3. Notwithstanding Article 3(3) of Council Directive 91/629/EEC ( 10 ) the housing of calves in individual boxes shall be forbidden after the age of one week. 4. Notwithstanding Article 3(8) of Council Directive 91/630/EEC ( 11 ) sows shall be kept in groups, except in the last stages of pregnancy and during the suckling period. 5. Piglets shall not be kept on flat decks or in piglet cages. 6. Exercise areas shall permit dunging and rooting by porcine animals. For the purposes of rooting different substrates can be used.