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.

Source photo: © WUR

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.

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.

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.

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.

Space and freedom to move - Vision Pig

Vision Pig - MuD Tierschutz

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.