Farm Animal Welfare

Pig Colostrum Management and Neonatal Welfare

Colostrum is essential for piglet survival and immunity. Poor colostrum management is a significant cause of preventable neonatal piglet suffering. Best practice protocols dramatically improve outcomes.

Key Facts

Piglets are born without passive immunity and depend entirely on colostrum
Colostrum absorption is greatest in the first 6 hours and negligible after 24 hours
Hyperprolificity sows produce litters where not all piglets can access colostrum simultaneously
Supplementing smaller piglets with colostrum from colostrum bank prevents immune failure
Cold piglets must be warmed before they can effectively absorb colostrum

Welfare Considerations

Neonatal piglets that fail to receive adequate colostrum face immune failure, starvation, and death from preventable infections. With large litter sizes now common in commercial pig farming, competition for teat access leaves smaller piglets at risk. Targeted colostrum supplementation, warming hypothermic piglets, and fostering protocols significantly reduce neonatal mortality and suffering.

What You Can Do

Support pig farmer training in neonatal management and colostrum supplementation
Advocate for farrowing supervision standards that ensure early colostrum access
Choose pork from farms with demonstrated low neonatal mortality rates