Teat number, spacing, and quality in sows directly affects piglet welfare by determining how many piglets can be nursed adequately, with genetic selection and management practices playing important roles in this often-overlooked welfare area.
The welfare implications of teat quality extend to both sows and piglets. Sows with blocked or insufficient teats experience engorgement discomfort when piglets cannot suckle effectively. Piglets that fail to establish teat ownership or are outcompeted due to litter size exceeding teat capacity face malnutrition, chronic hunger, and developmental stunting. The intensive selection for large litters without proportional increases in functional teat capacity is a welfare concern that the industry is only beginning to address. Balanced genetic selection, proactive litter management, and early identification of non-functional teats are practical steps that producers can take to improve welfare outcomes.