Pig Neonatal Mortality Prevention Welfare

Pre-weaning mortality in piglets is a significant welfare and productivity concern, with the welfare of dying piglets and bereaved sows both requiring attention.

Key Facts

Pre-weaning mortality in commercial pig production averages 11-12% in UK herds
Crushing by the sow (overlaying) accounts for approximately 50% of piglet deaths
Low birth weight piglets are at highest risk of starvation and crushing mortality
Split suckling management during the first 24 hours improves colostrum access for smaller piglets
Anti-overlap rails in farrowing crates prevent sow movement that can crush piglets
Free farrowing systems require higher stockmanship skill to achieve comparable piglet survival rates
Pain relief for sows during and after farrowing reduces maternal stress that contributes to piglet mortality

Welfare Considerations

Each piglet death represents suffering - from crushing, starvation, chilling, or disease - as well as potential distress in the sow. Reducing pre-weaning mortality through skilled stockmanship, appropriate farrowing environment design, and attention to individual litter management is both a welfare imperative and an economic necessity. The welfare of dying piglets must not be overlooked in the focus on survival rates.

What You Can Do

Support pig producers who invest in stockmanship training for farrowing management
Advocate for farrowing system design research that improves piglet survival in free-farrowing systems
Choose pork from producers with low pre-weaning mortality rates and transparent reporting
Support research into pain relief protocols for sows during and after farrowing
Engage with welfare certification bodies about including pre-weaning mortality in audit standards