Farm Animal Welfare

Pig Neonatal Hypothermia Prevention

Hypothermia is the leading cause of neonatal piglet mortality, occurring rapidly in cold conditions when small piglets cannot maintain body temperature without external heat.

Key Facts

Newborn piglets are born wet into cold environments with minimal subcutaneous fat
Core body temperature can drop from 39C to lethal levels within hours without heat
Creep heaters providing supplemental heat at 30-35C are essential for newborn piglets
Hypothermia is reversible if treated early with warm water baths and colostrum
Environmental temperature at the sow's nose level is often much lower than at piglet level

Welfare Considerations

Hypothermia causes progressive suffering and death in neonatal piglets who cannot generate sufficient body heat from birth. Provision of supplemental heat in the piglet's microenvironment is a fundamental welfare requirement for neonatal pig management.

What You Can Do

Ensure farrowing accommodation provides appropriate supplemental heat for newborn piglets
Monitor environmental temperature at piglet level rather than human height
Treat hypothermic piglets promptly with warm water baths and colostrum supplementation