Farm Animal Welfare

Piglet Mortality and Welfare in Farrowing Systems

Piglet pre-weaning mortality averages 10 to 20 percent in commercial farms. Improving farrowing system design, sow management, and stockpersonship reduces preventable piglet deaths and suffering.

Key Facts

Crushing by sows accounts for approximately 50 percent of pre-weaning piglet deaths
Farrowing crate confinement prevents sow movement but also prevents natural maternal behavior
Loose farrowing systems with protective zones show comparable or lower crushing mortality with management
Hypothermia in small-born piglets is a leading welfare and mortality cause in cold housing
Colostrum intake in first 6 hours is critical for piglet immune competence and survival

Welfare Considerations

Pre-weaning piglet mortality represents both an economic and welfare problem. Crushing deaths are acute welfare events, as are hypothermia deaths in cold farrowing accommodation. Farrowing crates prevent some crushing but impose severe welfare costs on sows through total confinement. Well-designed loose farrowing systems with nest boxes and separation zones can achieve welfare improvements for both sows and piglets simultaneously.

What You Can Do

Support pork certifications requiring loose farrowing or temporary crating with movement access
Advocate for research funding on welfare-positive farrowing system design
Ask pork producers about their pre-weaning mortality rates and farrowing system welfare approach
Choose pork from producers actively transitioning toward loose farrowing systems