Farm Animal Welfare

Pig Colostrum Intake and Neonatal Welfare

Adequate colostrum intake in the first hours of life is critical for piglet survival and welfare, yet many piglets fail to receive enough.

Key Facts

Piglets must ingest colostrum within 12 hours of birth to absorb maternal antibodies
Colostrum provides both immunological protection and essential energy reserves
Low birth weight piglets compete poorly for teat access and are at highest risk
Supplemental feeding and fostering protocols can improve colostrum distribution
Farm hygiene and sow health before farrowing influence colostrum quality and quantity

Welfare Considerations

Failure to receive adequate colostrum within the critical window causes immune failure, energy deficit and high mortality in piglets. Attentive farrowing management and protocols to support smaller or weaker piglets are essential welfare interventions.

What You Can Do

Advocate for farrowing supervision standards that ensure all piglets receive colostrum
Support research into commercial colostrum supplements for piglets
Choose pork products from farms with documented farrowing welfare standards