Reproductive efficiency and longevity of gilts and sows in group housing and free-farrowing systems versus traditional crate systems in tropical environments

Sows in group housing systems experienced lower farrowing rate and higher remating rate. Sows in group housing with free-farrowing system had higher litter size and higher piglet preweaning mortality rate compared to those in the conventional crate system. Sows in the conventional crate system and group housing with temporary confinement post-farrowing remained in the herds longer than sows in group-housed with complete free-farrowing. Hence, there is a need for interventions and husbandry management for balancing animal welfare with reproductive trade-offs in these alternative welfare-friendly systems.