The Welfare of Piglets During Farrowing

Piglet welfare at birth is significantly affected by farrowing system design and management practices.

Key Facts

Sow farrowing systems range from farrowing crates to loose-housed systems to outdoor farrowing
Farrowing crates prevent sow movement entirely for 4-6 weeks — but may reduce piglet crushing deaths
Loose-housed farrowing in enriched pens allows sow movement while managing crushing risk
Crushing by sow accounts for approximately 15-20% of preweaning piglet deaths in outdoor systems

Welfare Considerations

Piglet welfare during farrowing illustrates the genuine welfare trade-offs within livestock systems. Farrowing crates prevent sow movement, virtually eliminating crushing deaths but imposing severe movement restriction on sows for extended periods. Loose-housed systems allow sow natural behavior but require careful design to reduce crushing risk. Outdoor farrowing with appropriate shelter can achieve good welfare for both sow and piglets when managed well. The welfare calculation requires considering sow welfare, piglet welfare, and the competence of the management team simultaneously.

What You Can Do

Support welfare certifications that assess farrowing systems across multiple welfare dimensions
Advocate for research into farrowing systems that protect both sow and piglet welfare
Choose pork from certified systems using well-designed loose farrowing alternatives
Engage with the complexity of farrowing welfare rather than simplistic conclusions