Farm Animal Welfare

Pig Gestation Length Management and Welfare

Managing sow gestation length and predicting farrowing dates accurately is important for welfare supervision and management.

Key Facts

Average pig gestation is 114 days (3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days)
Variation in gestation length affects farrowing timing and supervision scheduling
Prostaglandin synchronisation allows planned farrowing for staffing welfare supervision
Accurate records of service date enable reliable farrowing date prediction
Farrowing supervision reduces piglet crushing mortality substantially

Welfare Considerations

Accurate prediction of farrowing and active supervision are fundamental to reducing neonatal piglet mortality and suffering. Synchronisation of farrowing within day shifts allows supervision that dramatically improves outcomes for both sow and piglet welfare.

What You Can Do

Support welfare standards requiring documented farrowing supervision protocols
Advocate for stockperson training in farrowing supervision and piglet welfare management
Choose pork from farms with demonstrated farrowing supervision programmes