Farm Animals

Pig Welfare and Welfare and Neonatal Teat Competition

Competition for teats in large litters causes neonatal welfare problems through inadequate colostrum intake and starvation, with management interventions available.

Key Facts

Piglets in litters larger than the sow's functional teat number face teat competition and starvation
Lightweight piglets are most vulnerable to teat competition and are most likely to die from starvation
Split-suckling protocols allow lighter piglets exclusive access to teats for periods
Foster sow systems distribute surplus piglets to sows with smaller litters and functional teats
Artificial rearing of surplus piglets requires specialist nutrition and welfare management

Welfare Considerations

Teat competition causes preventable starvation in some piglets. Attentive stockmanship using split-suckling and fostering protocols saves vulnerable piglet lives.

What You Can Do

Advocate for neonatal welfare protocols addressing teat competition in pig certification
Support research on optimal piglet management in large litters
Choose pork from farms with documented neonatal welfare management standards