Pre-weaning piglet mortality is a major welfare concern in commercial pig production. Industry average pre-weaning mortality rates in the UK are 10-12%, with some farms significantly higher. Each death represents individual suffering — whether from hypothermia, crushing, starvation, or disease — and reducing mortality improves welfare for millions of piglets annually.
Causes of Pre-Weaning Mortality
Crushing/overlying (50-60% of losses): Sow lies on piglets. Risk highest in first 48-72 hours; reduces as piglets become more agile. Key risk factors: sow size and type, farrowing environment, lack of piglet escape areas.
Starvation/hypothermia (20-25%): Low birth weight piglets, large litters, or poor colostrum access lead to energy deficit and chilling. Hypothermia impairs colostrum-seeking behaviour, creating a negative spiral.
Congenital defects: Splayleg, cleft palate, hernia — largely genetic and difficult to prevent at individual level.
Disease (10-15%): E. coli diarrhoea, streptococcal meningitis, clostridial enteritis — most preventable through vaccination and hygiene.
Farrowing Pen Design for Survival
The design of the farrowing environment significantly affects both crushing risk and piglet thermal comfort:
Creep areas with supplementary heating (32-35°C for newborns) away from the sow encourage piglets to rest safely
Solid floor areas for sow prevent sudden rolling; grooves or slopes near the sow allow piglets to escape
Anti-crushing bars/rails reduce crushing risk in loose farrowing pens
Nesting material (straw) improves farrowing outcomes and sow welfare in crate-free systems
Large Litter Management
Hyperprolific sow genetics (producing 16-18 live piglets per litter) create welfare challenges: more piglets than functional teats, greater birth weight variation, and increased starvation risk for the smallest piglets. Management strategies include:
Split suckling: restricting access of larger piglets to allow smaller ones exclusive access to the sow
Fostering: moving piglets to sows with fewer piglets. Welfare compromise: piglet-sow bond disruption; must be done within 24 hours for best acceptance
Nurse sow systems: weaning older piglets early to free teats for a new litter
Supplementary liquid milk systems for piglets unable to compete for teats
Colostrum Access
Colostrum intake within the first 12 hours is critical for passive immunity and survival. Ensuring all piglets receive adequate colostrum (minimum 250ml within 12 hours) is the single most effective intervention for reducing both neonatal mortality and later disease susceptibility. Assisting weak or small piglets to suckle and providing colostrum via stomach tube when needed are essential stockmanship skills.