Piglet Welfare at Farrowing: Crushing, Colostrum, and Care

The farrowing period is the most welfare-critical phase for piglets, with crushing by the sow and failure to obtain colostrum being the leading causes of neonatal death and suffering.

Key Facts

Piglet mortality in commercial farrowing systems averages 12-15%, with crushing accounting for 30-50% of deaths
Farrowing crates prevent sow movement to protect piglets but severely restrict sow welfare for 4-6 weeks
Free-farrowing systems using nest-building materials and movement freedom significantly reduce sow welfare costs
Colostrum intake in the first 24 hours is critical — piglets that fail to suckle die within 1-3 days
Larger litter sizes — bred for productivity — increase competition and crushing risk simultaneously

Welfare Considerations

The farrowing system debate encapsulates a genuine welfare trade-off: crates protect piglets from crushing but imprison sows during their most physically demanding period. Free-farrowing systems with well-designed nesting areas and freedom of movement demonstrate that this trade-off is not inevitable — both sow and piglet welfare can be improved together. Sweden and Switzerland have banned farrowing crates; the rest of Europe is moving slowly. Consumer demand for crate-free pork, combined with producer support for transition costs, is the most effective lever.

What You Can Do

Choose pork certified as crate-free farrowing from producers using free-farrowing systems
Support retailers that have committed to crate-free pork procurement with clear timelines
Advocate for farrowing crate phase-out legislation with adequate transition support for producers
Encourage agricultural colleges to teach free-farrowing systems as the expected standard of practice