Large variation in piglet birth weight within litters creates welfare challenges through competition, crushing, and growth inequality that commercial management strategies increasingly address.
The drive to increase sow litter sizes has created a welfare paradox: more piglets born per litter, but with higher within-litter competition, greater mortality, and worse welfare for the smallest animals. Low birth weight piglets face compromised thermoregulation, inadequate colostrum access, crushing by the sow or conspecifics, and long-term growth and health deficits. Welfare-focused management includes fostering protocols, supplemental feeding for low-weight piglets, and adequate creep areas. Longer-term solutions require genetic selection policies that balance litter size against piglet viability.