Pre-weaning mortality in piglets
“Reduced piglet vitality and poor sow maternal behaviour are the main causes leading to piglet mortality”
“Reduced piglet vitality and poor sow maternal behaviour are the main causes leading to piglet mortality”
Piglet mortality is the outcome of a set of complex interactions between the sow, the piglet and the environment. Although crushing by the sow is the main ultimate cause of piglet death, it is often consequence of perinatal hypothermia and starvation. Piglet vitality and birth weight, as well as sow maternal behaviour, play an important role in piglet survival. Management strategies aimed at reducing sow stress and improving piglet vitality are therefore important to reduce piglet mortality.
To read the complete fact sheet, please download the document from the bottom of the page or visit the FAWEC website.
