Farm Animals

Farmed Pig Neonatal Mortality Prevention

Piglet mortality in the first 24-72 hours after birth is a major welfare challenge requiring targeted management at farrowing.

Key Facts

Neonatal piglet mortality accounts for 10-20% of all born alive on many farms
Crushing by sows is the leading cause of death in the first 3 days
Hypothermia and starvation due to failure to suckle are closely related causes
Fostering and split suckling can improve survival of small litters
Farrowing crates reduce crushing but severely restrict sow movement

Welfare Considerations

Neonatal piglet deaths from crushing, hypothermia, and starvation are significant welfare events. Improved farrowing systems, attentive stockmanship, and management of sow-piglet interactions can reduce mortality without requiring permanent sow confinement. The welfare challenge is to protect piglets without causing major harm to sows.

What You Can Do

Support research into farrowing systems balancing sow and piglet welfare
Advocate for investment in welfare-positive farrowing system design
Choose pork from farms demonstrating low neonatal mortality rates