Developing commerically-viable, confinement-free farrowing and lactation systems

Farrowing crates can improve the welfare of neonatal pigs by providing warmth and reducing the risk of piglets becoming cold, dying from starvation, or being overlain by the sow. However, these crates restrict the ability of the sow to move around and perform pre-farrowing behaviours such as nest-site selection, nest building activity. They are also viewed in a negative light by the public. A confinement-free farrowing pen needs to be designed to meet the needs of both the sows and piglets while remaining commercially viable.