Farm Animals

Pig Welfare: Piglet Hypothermia Prevention

Hypothermia is a leading cause of piglet mortality in the first days of life, with prevention through environmental management and stockperson intervention.

Key Facts

Neonatal piglets have limited ability to thermoregulate and are highly susceptible to chilling
Floor temperature, creep heating, and draught exclusion are critical welfare provisions for newborn piglets
Wet piglets from birth are at high risk of hypothermia, particularly in cool farrowing rooms
Drying and warming hypothermic piglets and ensuring colostrum intake can rescue chilled piglets

Welfare Considerations

Hypothermia prevention is a high-impact, low-cost welfare intervention that requires environmental management and skilled stockperson observation. The first 24 hours after birth are the highest-risk period, and adequate creep heating with appropriate farrowing room temperature are essential welfare provisions.

What You Can Do

Support pork producers demonstrating appropriate farrowing environment management
Advocate for creep heating standards to be included in pig welfare certification requirements
Engage with stockpersonship training programmes that include neonatal piglet care