Common welfare problems in sows

Area 1: Good feeding

a. Genetic selection for fast-growing piglets

b. Large appetite = inherent problem

• Adult could become obese à skeletal disorders and pain + reduced fertility
• Costly to feed

c. Must restrict feeding

• Withhold food one day per week; feed small amount per meal
• Competition for food- fighting

1. Stails: lower welfare potential than loose housing or free range

Area 2: Good housing

a. Restriction of movement

• Stalls: confining; may be too small for newer generations of sow; leg weaknessà pain
• Farrowing crates

b. Thermal discomfort

• Free range systems, eg: sunburn, cold- lack of wallowing areas
• Indoor systems: poor ventilation à heat stress

c. Lack of bedding

• Stalls and some loose housing – calluses, bursitis
• Stony ground in outdoor systems

Area 3: Good health

a. Foot disorders – pain, lameness

• Lack of beeding – stalls , some loose housing
• Slatted floors
• Stony ground
• Genetics

b. Urogenital infections

• Stalls

c. Neck sores

• Stalls – tethers

d. Ease of monitoring

e. Nose ringing- outdoor sows

f. Stalls: lowest welfare potential

Area 4: Appropriate behavior

a. Fear: Inability to get away from other sows – fighting, bullying and rough handling

b. Frustration: Inability to root in response to hunger, and as natural part of time budget- exploration