Farmed Pig Gilt Development and Welfare

Gilt development - the raising of replacement breeding sows - has significant welfare implications for lifetime productivity and health.

Key Facts

Gilts are young female pigs being prepared for first breeding
Reproductive success and longevity are strongly influenced by gilt development practices
Adequate growth rate, body condition, and leg soundness at first mating predict lifetime welfare
Gilts need exposure to boar stimulus and appropriate housing for reproductive development
First mating at too young an age or too low a body weight causes welfare problems
Many production systems cull gilts after relatively few litters due to lameness and reproductive problems

Welfare Considerations

Gilt welfare is foundational to sow welfare across the entire herd. Poor gilt development practices create animals that are structurally and reproductively compromised before they reach first parity. Investing in gilt development - including adequate space, feed, and leg health monitoring - pays dividends in both welfare and productivity.

What You Can Do

Support farm assurance schemes that include gilt management standards
Advocate for industry targets to reduce premature culling rates in sow herds
Support research into leg health and reproductive longevity in commercial pig breeds
Choose higher-welfare pork products from farms with transparent health and longevity records