Farm Animals

Farmed Animal Maternal Welfare

Maternal behaviour and welfare in farm animals including pig farrowing, cow calving, and sheep lambing have profound implications for both mother and offspring welfare.

Key Facts

Maternal behaviour is a strong instinct that is frustrated in many intensive systems
Sow nest-building before farrowing is a highly motivated behaviour frustrated in crates
Cow-calf bonding occurs within hours of birth and both show distress at separation
Ewe-lamb bond recognition occurs through olfactory and vocal cues
Stress during parturition affects maternal behaviour and offspring welfare

Welfare Considerations

Maternal welfare in farm animals requires allowing expression of maternal behaviour where safe and practical. The welfare cost of frustrating strong maternal instincts in farrowing crates and at cow-calf separation is significant. Free farrowing systems and extended suckling represent welfare advances.

What You Can Do

Support free farrowing system development and certification for pigs
Advocate for extended suckling periods in dairy production
Engage with maternal welfare science as an important but underappreciated welfare issue