Pre-weaning piglet mortality is a major welfare problem affecting millions of piglets annually, requiring targeted management to reduce deaths and suffering.
The scale of pre-weaning piglet mortality represents one of the largest welfare problems in UK livestock production. Crushing deaths may not be instantaneous, causing pain during dying. Starvation is a prolonged welfare-compromising process. Hypothermic piglets experience weakness and distress before death. Welfare-focused management includes farrowing supervision especially in the first 24-48 hours, good nest box design, appropriate heat lamp positioning, split suckling in large litters, and strategic fostering. Each prevented death represents both a welfare improvement and production benefit.