Farrowing housing and management

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.

Alternatives to the conventional farrowing crates for indoor keeping can be divided into two principally different pen types. Systems with pens having a partly solid floor and systems consisting of pens with a fully slatted floor. Within these two different pen systems either zero confinement or temporary confinement can be practiced.

Nest building is covered by the welfare directive since nest building is a strong behavioural need driven by hormones. Preventing nesting behaviour, e.g. by lack of space or lack of nest materials, is as such associated with frustration and stress, and therefore associated with poor welfare.

The current conditions in which weaned pigs are kept are the most important in relation to the development of tail biting behaviour. Evidence for associations between management and housing during suckling and tail biting behaviour is scarce and contradictory (see ‘Show more’).

Selection for large litters has resulted in sows giving birth to several pigs exceeding the number of functional teats available at the sow’s udder. This results in a disturbed nursing-suckling pattern. Interventions include split suckling, cross fostering and use of nurse sows, milk supplement and artificial rearing. These interventions all come with a price in terms of reduced welfare for both pigs and sows.

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.