Farm Animal Welfare

Pig Gilt Rearing and Welfare

Gilt rearing quality significantly affects sow lifetime productivity and welfare throughout their reproductive career.

Key Facts

Gilts entering the breeding herd should be well-grown, healthy and appropriately conditioned
Socialisation before mating reduces social stress at integration into the breeding group
Pre-mating nutrition significantly affects ovulation rate and early embryo survival
Gilt pool management allows selection of optimally ready animals for mating
Poor gilt welfare at rearing predicts poor sow lifetime performance and welfare

Welfare Considerations

Gilt rearing is an investment in sow lifetime welfare. Gilts that are well socialised, appropriately grown and nutritionally prepared for reproduction have better reproductive welfare and longer productive lives. Welfare during rearing pays dividends throughout the sow's life.

What You Can Do

Advocate for gilt rearing welfare standards as part of integrated sow welfare certification
Support research into optimal gilt rearing approaches for welfare and lifetime performance
Choose pork from producers with documented gilt rearing and sow welfare programmes