Gilt welfare during the introduction to the breeding herd is a critical but often overlooked area of pig production. Poor gilt management creates welfare problems that persist throughout the animal's productive life.
Gilt welfare during the pre-selection and introduction period significantly affects long-term productivity and welfare outcomes. Gilts subjected to excessive social disruption through repeated regrouping during the selection period experience cumulative stress that impairs immune function and reproductive performance. Introduction to individual gestation stalls at first mating subjects young, active animals to severe movement restriction at a stage when their behavioural motivation for activity is high. Poor gilt body condition at mating due to inadequate nutrition in rearing compromises both the gilt's welfare during her first pregnancy and the development of her litter.