Pig health varies a lot between different organic pig herds. This is likely to be caused by the different management routines implemented in the herd.



Piglet mortality is mainly related to crushing by the mother and to weakness/starvation. Mortality increases when piglets become chilled and lie close to the sow because of a cold environment, when there is insufficient colostrum intake or milk production, or a large litter size, with a lack of protection for the piglets against sow crushing (lack of piglets’ nest, lack of anti-crushing systems); and with heavy and lame sows. A high litter size is a major hazard for piglet mortality. Numerous factors can explain this phenomenon: longer farrowing duration, lower birth weight of piglets, reduced colostrum/milk intake per piglet, piglets closer to the sow, lower number of functional teats than litter size.



How to keep piglet mortality low:

¬ Provide good farrowing accommodation with sufficient space (lying area min. 2,2 x 2,2 m), design features to minimise crushing, provide bedding and a creep area for the piglets.

¬ Monitor farrowings, but do not constantly disturb your sows.

¬ Practice split suckling of large litters by moving the stronger early born piglets, which have already suckled to a warm creep area for an hour, without access to the sow, to allow the weaker piglets to suckle without competition. ¬Adjust the litter size by crossfostering to match the number of functional teats on the sow.

¬ Use sows with appropriate litter size, appropriate number of live piglets and low losses during the lactation period for replacement/breeding.

¬ If cross fostering is necessary, move piglets with higher birth weight to other sows.