Farm Animal Welfare

Pig Welfare and Neonatal Piglet Survival: Temperature Management

Temperature management in farrowing accommodation is critical for neonatal piglet survival. Maintaining appropriate thermal zones for both sow and piglets prevents hypothermia and crushing.

Key Facts

Optimal farrowing room temperature for sows is 18-20 degrees Celsius but piglets need 32-35 degrees
Under-floor heating in creep areas provides local warmth without overheating sows
Infrared lamps positioned correctly reduce piglet hypothermia in cold farrowing environments
Draught exclusion at floor level prevents chilling of newborn piglets in housing with large doors
Monitoring farrowing room temperature continuously enables prompt response to equipment failure

Welfare Considerations

Temperature management in farrowing is a welfare critical point where equipment failure or inadequate provision causes rapid piglet mortality. Proactive monitoring and backup systems prevent preventable deaths.

What You Can Do

Advocate for temperature monitoring requirements in farrowing accommodation welfare standards
Support research into optimal thermal environment design for neonatal piglet welfare
Choose welfare-certified pork from farms with documented farrowing environment management