Farm Animal Welfare

Pig Neonatal Mortality Prevention Strategies

Pre-weaning mortality in pigs represents both welfare failure and production loss, with evidence-based prevention reducing losses significantly.

Key Facts

Pre-weaning mortality averages 10-15% in commercial UK herds
Crushing by the sow accounts for approximately 50% of deaths
Hypothermia from inadequate heating accounts for 25% of deaths
Starvation from competition or low colostrum yield causes additional losses
Skilled intervention in the first 24 hours can significantly reduce mortality

Welfare Considerations

Each piglet death represents a welfare failure - the neonatal period is when piglets are most vulnerable and their suffering before death is significant. Preventive interventions including adequate heating, creep areas that prevent crushing, good sow selection for maternal behaviour, and skilled stockperson monitoring are the most welfare-effective strategies for reducing neonatal mortality.

What You Can Do

Support pre-weaning mortality training for pig farm staff
Advocate for farrowing supervision requirements in pig welfare codes
Share evidence-based mortality reduction strategies with producers