Pig Mortality: Welfare Implications and Prevention Strategies
Pre-weaning piglet mortality is one of the most significant welfare problems in commercial pig production, with crushing by sows and starvation being the primary causes.
Key Facts
- Pre-weaning mortality rates of 10-15% are common in commercial pork production
- Crushing (overlying) by sows causes approximately 50% of pre-weaning piglet deaths
- Starvation and failure to thrive cause a further significant proportion of deaths
- Farrowing crates reduce crushing but restrict sow behavior — a major welfare trade-off
- Alternative farrowing systems aim to reduce crushing while allowing natural sow behavior
Welfare Considerations
Pre-weaning piglet mortality represents both welfare suffering for dying piglets and an indicator of welfare failure in the production system. Crushing causes rapid death in some cases but slow, traumatic injury in others. Starvation deaths occur over 24-48 hours of increasing weakness and distress. The farrowing crate welfare debate involves balancing piglet welfare (reduced crushing) against sow welfare (severe confinement). Alternative systems including free-farrowing pens with nest design features and temporary locking mechanisms aim to achieve both. High welfare farrowing systems invest in stockperson time for the critical first 48 hours when most mortality occurs.
What You Can Do
- Ensure experienced stockperson supervision during and immediately after farrowing
- Provide supplementary heat sources for small or chilled piglets
- Check all piglets have suckled successfully within 12-24 hours of birth
- Invest in farrowing pen design that protects piglets while minimizing sow confinement
- Advocate for free-farrowing systems that improve both sow and piglet welfare