Farm Animals

Pig Sow Heat Stress Welfare

Heat stress in gestating and lactating sows causes reduced feed intake, reproductive failure and welfare suffering, requiring active cooling management.

Key Facts

Sows experience heat stress above 25 degrees Celsius in hot climates or poorly ventilated buildings
Heat-stressed sows reduce feed intake during lactation, causing excessive body condition loss
Reproductive failure from heat stress includes reduced embryo survival and delayed return to oestrus
Evaporative cooling, shade and ventilation reduce core body temperature in hot conditions
Outdoor sows require adequate shade, wallowing areas and cool drinking water in summer

Welfare Considerations

Heat stress in sows causes acute suffering, reproductive failure and long-term productivity losses. Active cooling management is an ethical obligation and an economic necessity in warm climates.

What You Can Do

Support farms providing shade, wallowing and ventilation for sows in hot weather
Advocate for heat stress management requirements in outdoor pig welfare standards
Ask pork producers about their heat stress management protocols in summer months