Regulation: NFACC 2014 Pig Code — creep and nursery temperature requirements
Confidence: Verified.
National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pigs, 2014 edition (currently under update).
NFACC codes are not statutory but are referenced in OFFSAP / CFIA / provincial welfare audits as the standard.
Temperature requirements
| Stage | Temperature target | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Farrowing room ambient (sow comfort) | 18–20°C (64–68°F) | NFACC 2014 Pig Code, Section 1.4 Recommended Practice |
| Piglet creep area | Up to 34°C (93°F) | NFACC 2014 Pig Code, Recommended Practice |
| Newly weaned nursery (first 4–5 days) | 27–32°C at pig level | NFACC 2014 Pig Code Table 1.1 |
| Grow-finish barn | 16–22°C | Typically self-heating from pig metabolism in Ontario climates |
Ammonia threshold (Requirement)
Action required if ammonia exceeds 25 ppm at pig level.
Verbatim quote on nursery heating
"A warm, dry, clean and draft-free environment is critical for newly weaned pigs. Most nurseries in Canada need to be equipped with supplemental heating."
Propane-relevance
Creep heat is welfare-required infrastructure in any modern Ontario hog operation. The piglet zone temperature (up to 34°C) is the binding constraint, not room ambient (18–20°C). The dual-zone reality means heat lamps or heated mats are non-negotiable — the whole room cannot be heated to piglet temperature without compromising sow welfare. Consumption and tank sizing in op-hog-barn-propane-load-profile.
Sources
National Farm Animal Care Council, Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pigs, 2014 (currently under update).