Farm Animal Welfare

Pig Welfare and Neonatal Survival: Colostrum Management

Colostrum intake in the first hours of life is essential for piglet survival. Ensuring adequate colostrum access prevents disease, hypothermia and immunological failure in newborn piglets.

Key Facts

Passive immunity transfer via colostrum peaks in the first 6 hours of life
Piglets from large litters may not receive adequate colostrum without active management
Split suckling allows smaller piglets supervised access to teats away from competition
Pooled colostrum can be stored and given to piglets unable to nurse naturally
Colostrum quality and quantity decline rapidly after birth making timing critical

Welfare Considerations

Colostrum management at farrowing is a welfare intervention with direct effects on neonatal survival. Stockperson attentiveness and management skill at farrowing prevents enormous suffering and loss of life.

What You Can Do

Advocate for farrowing supervision standards that include colostrum management protocols
Support research into pooled colostrum banking systems for commercial pig units
Choose pork from farms with documented neonatal care standards