Outdoor pig farrowing, where sows give birth in individual huts with straw bedding, avoids farrowing crates but presents its own welfare challenges around piglet crushing, temperature extremes, and predation.
Outdoor farrowing represents a genuine welfare improvement over farrowing crates by allowing sows complete freedom of movement and full expression of nest-building behaviour. However, welfare challenges remain. Newborn piglets are highly susceptible to hypothermia in cold, wet conditions, and early spring farrowings in particular carry high piglet mortality risk. Predation by foxes is a documented cause of piglet mortality. Good stockpersonship - ensuring huts are dry, well-strawed, and oriented away from prevailing winds - makes a significant difference to outdoor piglet welfare outcomes. Breeding for robust, attentive sows also reduces piglet crushing risk.