Farm Animals

Pig Neonatal Mortality: Prevention Strategies

Neonatal piglet mortality remains one of the most significant welfare and production challenges in modern pig farming, with evidence-based prevention strategies available.

Key Facts

Average pre-weaning mortality in commercial pig production is 12-15%
Starvation, crushing by the sow, and hypothermia account for the majority of deaths
Split-suckling management and fostering protocols improve piglet access to colostrum
Farrowing crate alternatives require more intensive management to achieve equivalent survival rates

Welfare Considerations

Neonatal piglet mortality represents millions of deaths annually involving suffering from starvation, cold, and crushing. Many deaths are preventable through skilled stockpersonship and appropriate housing design that balances sow and piglet needs.

What You Can Do

Support pork producers demonstrating low pre-weaning mortality rates
Advocate for stockperson training programmes focused on neonatal piglet care
Engage with research into farrowing system design that optimises both sow welfare and piglet survival