Overview of farrowing supervision practices and their impact on piglet welfare and survival.
Farrowing supervision welfare requires both appropriate staffing and trained staff with the skills to intervene effectively when needed. The investment in 24-hour supervision during the farrowing period significantly reduces piglet mortality and sow welfare compromise from difficult farrowings. Training in neonatal piglet care including colostrum management, hypothermia prevention, and teat allocation directly translates into welfare and commercial outcomes.