Farm Animal Welfare

Pig Group Farrowing Welfare Research

Group farrowing systems allow sows to farrow together. Research into their welfare implications is informing next-generation farrowing system design.

Key Facts

Group farrowing allows social interaction during a highly motivated nesting period
Nest-building competition between sows can occur in group systems
Well-designed group farrowing with individual nest areas achieves high welfare
Some research shows piglet welfare benefits from multiple sow care options
Group systems require more skilled management than individual systems

Welfare Considerations

Group farrowing represents a frontier in sow welfare research - allowing social behavior around parturition while protecting individual piglets. Early results suggest that well-designed group systems can achieve good outcomes for both sows and piglets. This area of welfare research is moving toward commercial application and represents the next generation of farrowing system design.

What You Can Do

Follow welfare research into group farrowing system development
Support farms investing in next-generation farrowing systems
Advocate for research investment in group farrowing welfare
Support organizations sharing farrowing system welfare research with the industry