Pig Neonatal Mortality Prevention in Farrowing Systems

Piglet mortality in the first week of life is a significant welfare challenge in both intensive and extensive pig systems requiring targeted management interventions.

Key Facts

Pre-weaning mortality rates of 12-18% are common in commercial pig production
Crushing by the sow accounts for approximately 50% of pre-weaning deaths
Hypothermia is the second leading cause - piglets born wet in cold conditions die rapidly
Starvation from competition for teats or insufficient milk is the third major cause
Genetic selection for large litter size has increased welfare challenges from piglet competition
Split suckling and teat access management reduce competition-related deaths

Welfare Considerations

Neonatal piglet mortality represents welfare failure at multiple levels simultaneously - the mortality event itself involves suffering, and surviving littermates compete with reduced access to nutrition. Management interventions that save piglets improve welfare but must be feasible for farm staff handling large numbers of farrowing sows. The genetic push for larger litters has increased total piglet numbers while increasing proportional losses and welfare challenges from undersized piglets with reduced survival prospects. Welfare-focused selection balances litter size with piglet viability.

What You Can Do

Support pig welfare standards that set maximum acceptable mortality rates
Choose pork products from farms investing in farrowing welfare management
Advocate for genetic selection criteria that include piglet viability alongside litter size
Support research into management interventions reducing neonatal mortality humanely