Farmed Animals

Farmed Pig Litter Mortality and Welfare

Pre-weaning piglet mortality averages 10-15% in commercial systems; addressing the main causes - crushing, starvation, and hypothermia - protects individual piglet welfare.

Key Facts

Crushing by the sow causes approximately 50% of pre-weaning mortalities in commercial systems
Hypothermia is a leading cause of death in the first 24 hours especially for low birth weight piglets
Increasing litter sizes through genetic selection has worsened competition for teats and mortality rates
Farrowing crates protect piglets from crushing but severely restrict sow welfare
Free farrowing systems with anti-crush rails provide intermediate protection

Welfare Considerations

Pre-weaning mortality represents enormous individual welfare harm - millions of piglets dying from crushing, starvation, or cold each year. The tension between protecting piglets and protecting sow welfare (who suffers in farrowing crates) is one of pig welfare's most challenging dilemmas. Investment in free farrowing systems with targeted protective features addresses both concerns better than either crating or unmanaged group farrowing.

What You Can Do

Support pig welfare certifications that mandate free farrowing or anti-crush systems
Advocate for research funding into free farrowing systems that protect both sow and piglet welfare
Choose pork products from farms with documented pre-weaning mortality reduction programs
Support Compassion in World Farming campaigns to end farrowing crate use