Farm Animals

Pig Farrowing Supervision Standards

Farrowing supervision significantly improves piglet survival and sow welfare. Evidence-based supervision protocols reduce the most preventable causes of piglet mortality.

Key Facts

Approximately 25% of piglet mortality occurs in the first 24 hours
Crushing by the sow accounts for 50% of pre-weaning deaths
Supervised farrowings have significantly lower mortality rates
Supervision requires skilled stockpersons available at night
Timing of intervention is critical - too early can increase stress, too late allows mortality

Welfare Considerations

Piglets crushed, chilled, or starved in the first hours of life suffer significantly before death. Skilled farrowing supervision that intervenes appropriately reduces this preventable suffering. Investment in stockmanship training for farrowing supervision has high welfare returns relative to cost.

What You Can Do

Support welfare standards requiring appropriate farrowing supervision
Advocate for labour support for intensive farrowing supervision
Choose pork from farms with documented supervision and survival rate records