Sow Welfare: Meeting the Needs of Breeding Sows
Housing and Space
Sows spend most of their productive life in gestation and farrowing housing. EU and UK law requires sows to be kept in groups from 4 weeks post-service until 1 week before farrowing (minimum 2.25m² per sow in groups). Individually stalled sows can only be housed in stalls for the first 4 weeks post-service and during farrowing. Space allowance, flooring (fully slatted concrete floors are associated with leg injuries and joint disease), and bedding provision (straw bedding significantly improves welfare) are critical design elements.
Nutrition and Body Condition
Sow nutritional management must meet the demands of pregnancy and lactation. Over-conditioned sows (too fat at farrowing) have higher dystocia risk, poorer maternal behaviour, and increased post-farrowing anorexia. Under-conditioned sows lose excessive body condition during lactation, have poor fertility post-weaning, and experience reduced longevity. Body condition scoring (BCS) throughout the reproductive cycle guides feeding adjustments. Individual feed delivery (ESF systems or shoulder stalls) prevents competition-driven over/under-eating.
Farrowing and Maternal Behaviour
Traditional farrowing crates prevent sows from exhibiting normal nesting behaviour (rooting, gathering materials) and lying down naturally — both significant welfare compromises. Research shows farrowing crates cause frustration and stress. Alternative farrowing systems (free-farrowing pens with protected creep areas) allow maternal behaviour but require careful design and management to maintain low piglet crushing rates. Several EU countries are phasing out farrowing crates; the UK pig industry is developing enhanced welfare farrowing systems.
Longevity and Welfare over the Reproductive Life
UK sow herds average 2-3 productive years before culling, primarily due to reproductive failure, lameness, and health problems. Improving sow longevity is both a welfare and economic goal. Key factors: leg and foot health (flooring quality, hoof care, regular mobility scoring); reproductive management (avoiding anoestrus, treating reproductive disorders promptly); body condition management; and disease prevention. High-welfare sow management typically extends productive life to 5-6 parities or more.
Behavioural and Social Welfare
Sows are highly motivated to perform nesting behaviour before farrowing; providing nesting material (straw, hessian, paper) reduces frustration and stereotypies. Social management (stable groups in gestation, reducing mixing) reduces aggression and injury. Environmental enrichment (straw, chains, ropes) reduces boredom and stereotypy expression. Positive human-animal interaction (quiet, calm handling) reduces fear response and improves welfare during routine husbandry procedures.