Piglet mortality in the first days of life is a major welfare and productivity problem in commercial pig farming, with crushing by sows in farrowing crates representing a leading cause of death.
The welfare dilemma of farrowing systems involves genuine tradeoffs: farrowing crates restrict sow behavior severely but were intended to protect piglet welfare. However, sow welfare in crates is significantly compromised, and well-managed free farrowing systems increasingly demonstrate that both sow and piglet welfare can be improved simultaneously. The transition to free farrowing requires careful management, skilled stockpeople, and appropriate pen design — but represents one of the most significant opportunities for simultaneous improvement in sow and piglet welfare in commercial pig production.