Farm Animals

Pig Neonatal Welfare

Newborn piglets face the highest mortality risk of any stage in pig production, with current intensive systems contributing to preventable deaths and suffering.

Key Facts

Pre-weaning piglet mortality in commercial systems averages 10-15%
Litter sizes have increased dramatically through breeding, creating smaller, weaker piglets
Crushing by sows is the leading cause of pre-weaning mortality
Farrowing crates restrict sow movement to prevent crushing but limit natural maternal behavior

Welfare Considerations

Newborn piglets face significant welfare challenges from large litter sizes that produce more piglets than the sow has functional teats, hypothermia, and crushing in intensive systems. The farrowing crate dilemma creates a welfare trade-off between protecting piglets from crushing and allowing sow freedom of movement. Alternative systems using farrowing nests with space for natural behavior achieve good welfare outcomes for both sows and piglets.

What You Can Do

Support pig welfare standards that include farrowing system requirements
Choose pork from producers using alternative farrowing systems
Advocate for transitioning the industry away from farrowing crates
Support research into farrowing systems that protect piglets without fully restricting sows