What Are Hog Slats?

Hog slats are a type of flooring used in pens for hogs, most typically in large-scale hog farm operations. They feature regular gaps in the floor that allow excrement, spilled food and other waste products to be easily washed through to a lower level. The lower level is usually a shallow drainage trench leading to a retention pond, which allows the trench to be periodically flushed with water. The object of a slatted floor is to create an easy-to-clean holding pen for livestock.

  1. Slat Design

    • A slat is a large section of flooring, similar in appearance to an oversized wooden pallet. The top level of the slat consists of flat planks between 6 inches and 12 inches wide, with a half-inch to a 1 1/2 inch and a half gap between planks. Small-scale slatted pens may be situated over a simple waste pit, similar to an outhouse. Larger operations usually include a drainage trench underneath the slats. Some slatted floors may even drain into a lagoon directly under the pen itself.

    Materials and Variations

    • Modern hog slats are most commonly made of concrete, although wood and metal slats are often found in smaller operations. Hog slats may also be made of fiberglass or plastic. Metal slats can be rubberized to make them less slippery and to provide some cushion for the hogs' feet. Most slats are modular, allowing them to be replaced as they wear out. However, some hog farms are constructed with slatted floors as a permanent component of the structure.

    Advantages

    • The main advantage of a slatted floor is ease of cleaning. A slatted pen may be easily washed clean with water. This can be done by hand, using a hose or a power washer, or the pens may be periodically cleaned using an automatic system. This results in less labor dedicated to cleaning pens and a cleaner environment for livestock overall, which is especially important to the health of hogs in high-density barn operations.

    Criticisms

    • Slatted floors are harder on the feet of livestock than solid floors and can cause bruising or damage to hooves. The narrow feet of hogs make them more vulnerable to this sort of damage than larger animals such as cattle and horses. The use of a slatted floor also prevents the use of bedding, which is an important aspect of a comfortable environment for hogs. Slats also make it more difficult to keep a building climate-controlled, since most slatted floors are open to an outdoor retention pond.