Farm Animal Welfare

Pig Gestation Length and Farrowing Supervision

The relationship between gestation management and farrowing supervision determines neonatal mortality rates and welfare outcomes for sows and piglets.

Key Facts

Average pig gestation is 114-115 days (three months, three weeks, three days)
Induced farrowing can allow daytime supervision but may increase piglet mortality
Night farrowing accounts for a disproportionate share of piglet deaths
24-hour supervision during the farrowing period dramatically reduces mortality
Electronic farrowing alert systems allow on-call response to birthing events

Welfare Considerations

Neonatal piglet welfare is directly linked to supervision intensity and farrowing environment. Investment in 24-hour supervision infrastructure or alert systems represents one of the most impactful welfare interventions on commercial pig farms.

What You Can Do

Support farms investing in farrowing alert technology
Advocate for farrowing supervision standards in welfare certification schemes
Choose pork from farms with demonstrated low neonatal mortality rates