A comparison of sow and piglet behaviour and productivity in the UMB farrowing pen compared to conventional farrowing crates Progress Report

In recent years there has been a growing interest in the standard of farrowing accommodation for commercial sows in Australia and in many countries around the world. Conventional farrowing crates are used extensively in the pork industry due to the general belief that piglet mortality and morbidity due to accidental crushing by the sow is reduced (Weary et al. 1996). However, restraining the sow in a farrowing crate for the duration of farrowing and lactation can have significant welfare implications for the behavioural, physiological and social needs of the sow. In the wild, sows are very active in the days preceding parturition and will travel up to 6.5 km in order to find a suitable nesting site (Wischner et al. 2009). Conventional farrowing crates allow only very limited movement for the sow, and in combination with the lack of nesting materials, the sow is restricted in her ability to perform natural behaviours, which is a significant welfare concern (RSPCA Australia 2009). Despite this, producers ultimately require a farrowing system that encourages optimal productivity, such as large litter sizes and greatest piglet survival, as the number of piglets weaned will predominantly determine profitability. Weber et al. (2007) surveyed Swiss pig farms and reported that piglet mortality did not differ between farms using crated and penned farrowing systems, suggesting that restrictive conditions imposed on sows around parturition may be unnecessary and that an “improved” housing system involving less restraint may be feasible for commercial use.