Farm Animal Welfare

Pig Welfare: Sow Shoulder Sores Prevention

Pressure sores over the shoulder blades of sows are a significant welfare problem in farrowing systems, caused by prolonged lying on hard inadequately bedded floors.

Key Facts

Shoulder sores develop when prolonged lateral recumbency compresses subcutaneous tissue
Rates vary widely across farms, with some reporting over 50% of sows affected
Provision of bedding significantly reduces shoulder sore incidence
Body condition at farrowing affects sore development - thin sows are more vulnerable
Pain from shoulder sores likely reduces feeding behaviour and milk production

Welfare Considerations

Shoulder sores cause significant localised pain and restrict normal movement in sows during the critical post-farrowing period. Prevention through adequate bedding, correct flooring, and optimal body condition scoring represents a high-welfare, low-cost intervention applicable across farrowing systems.

What You Can Do

Support farm assurance schemes with shoulder sore monitoring requirements
Choose pork products with meaningful farrowing welfare standards
Advocate for bedding provision as a mandatory requirement in farrowing systems