Modern commercial sows are selected for extreme reproductive performance, producing litters of 15-20 piglets. This hyper-prolificacy creates welfare challenges for both sows and piglets, particularly around birth, lactation, and the viability of piglets from large litters.
Hyper-prolificacy in sows represents a selective breeding choice that has created systematic welfare problems. Sows produce more piglets than they can feed, requiring management interventions that carry their own welfare costs. Piglets from large litters are smaller and weaker, face fierce competition, and have higher mortality rates. Sow body reserves are depleted faster, leading to metabolic disease and reduced longevity. The welfare direction requires rebalancing selection criteria to place greater weight on sow health, longevity, and piglet viability alongside litter size.