Neonatal pig welfare is substantially determined by farrowing environment design — evidence-based nest materials and temperature management reduce crushing and hypothermia mortality.
Neonatal pig welfare represents a critical welfare period where environmental management has outsized impact on individual and litter outcomes. The conventional farrowing crate was designed to prevent crushing but its restriction of sow movement creates separate welfare costs for the sow while not eliminating crushing mortality. Modern farrowing pen designs with structured anti-crush areas, nest material provision, and appropriate temperature gradients achieve comparable or better piglet survival alongside markedly improved sow welfare. Hyperprolific sow genetics that produce litters of 18-22 piglets have outpaced the welfare capacity to support each individual — welfare-positive selection for moderate litter size with better individual piglet viability improves total welfare outcomes relative to maximum litter size selection.