This dossier aims to help Competent Authorities and other stakeholders with the issues related to farrowing housing and management. The dossier is updated periodically by the EURCAW-Pigs team. The text is meant to support Competent Authorities, and is not legally binding.
Dossier
Farrowing housing and management
Health and welfare of sows is especially challenged with severe space restriction (e.g. in conventional crates), heat stress during warm periods, lack of nest building materials, and large litters. Challenges for the health and welfare of piglets – possibly leading to reduced growth and increased mortality - include high competition for teats, limited space for resting and for suckling, lack of exploratory material, and mutilations. Risks can be considerably reduced if correct measures and practices are introduced to meet the needs of sows and piglets.
About this dossier
Legislation
The legal requirements related to farrowing housing and management can be found in Council Directives 98/58/EC and 2008/120/EC. In EURCAW-Pigs' Thematic factsheet on farrowing housing and management, the relevant legal requirements are summarized and presented in conjunction with the five focus areas for inspections.
Knowledge
To avoid unintended welfare problems in production, breeding, housing and management during and after farrowing, caretakers need to take the specific biology and behavioural needs of pigs into account. When specific needs are not met, frustration and stress in sows may lead to health problems and impaired lactation and maternal behaviour. Crating of sows, for example, is a particular welfare challenge for sows, while different options are available for keeping sows loose during farrowing and lactation.
Tools for welfare inspection
Welfare indicators can be used to facilitate welfare inspections on farms and to identify welfare issues related to farrowing housing and management. For four out of five key areas to focus on during inspections, EURCAW-Pigs identified relevant indicators to assess the welfare of sows and/or piglets. Each indicator is described in an indicator factsheet, by suggesting an inspection and scoring method, and summarizing the underlying welfare concern and legal requirements.
Inspiring example
An adequate farrowing pen has to meet species-specific needs of suckling piglets and their mother around birth. This includes space and freedom to move. In this video Jan-Hendrik Hohls explains his free farrowing pens, where sows are only temporarily fixed.
Space and freedom to move - Vision Pig
Vision Pig - MuD Tierschutz
Training courses
In collaboration with national training bodies and national reference centers on animal welfare, EURCAW-Pigs develops training guides for the different welfare topics as standards for national training in EU Member States.
More information
Contact
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