Selection for extreme litter sizes in commercial pig breeds has created welfare problems for both sows and piglets, with large litters exceeding the dam's capacity to raise all offspring successfully.
Hyperprolificacy in pig breeding represents a classic case of selection pressure creating welfare problems for both dam and offspring. Sows carrying and nursing extremely large litters experience significant metabolic stress, body condition loss, and reduced longevity. Piglets from these litters face intense competition for limited teat access with predictable welfare consequences for the smallest individuals - chronic hunger, hypothermia, and high mortality. The breeding industry has largely prioritized total born over individual piglet and sow welfare, and welfare-aware breeding programs that optimize welfare alongside productivity rather than maximizing litter size alone are beginning to emerge.