Farm Animal Welfare

Pig Piglet Iron Deficiency and Anaemia

Iron deficiency anaemia is a common and preventable welfare problem in housed piglets due to low iron content of sow milk.

Key Facts

Sow milk contains insufficient iron for piglet growth needs beyond one week of age
Piglets on concrete floors without soil access cannot obtain environmental iron
Intramuscular iron injection at 3-5 days of age prevents anaemia in housed piglets
Anaemic piglets show pale skin, reduced growth, weakness and increased mortality
Oral iron supplementation is an alternative with lower stress than injection in some systems

Welfare Considerations

Iron deficiency anaemia causes welfare harm through weakness, pallor and reduced disease resistance in growing piglets. The condition is entirely preventable through iron supplementation and is standard practice in modern pig production. Ensuring appropriate administration timing and dose prevents welfare failure.

What You Can Do

Support pig farms with documented piglet health management including iron supplementation
Advocate for piglet welfare standards that include iron deficiency prevention requirements
Choose certified higher-welfare pork from farms with documented piglet health protocols