Incidence of farrowing assistance and neonatal challenges in hyperprolific sows: Insights from a field study

This field study on 69 healthy hyperprolific sows, aimed to analyze reproductive parameters including farrowing dynamics, housing systems, and piglet vitality. The average gestation length was 114.5 ± 1.28 days, with most parturitions occurring between days 113 and 116. Farrowing duration was significantly positively associated with parity, showing an average of 267.6 ± 108.1 min. Litter size averaged 17.2 ± 4.2 piglets, with a positive correlation between farrowing duration and litter size. Farrowing length differed significantly between dystocic and eutocic sows, averaging 324.9 ± 94.1 min in dystocic sows compared with 193.1 ± 75.2 min in eutocic sows (p < 0.0001). Similarly, the birth-to-birth interval (BPI) was longer in dystocic sows (24.74 ± 1.60 min) than in eutocic sows (10.49 ± 1.39 min, p < 0.0001). Obstetric interventions were more frequent in CRATE than in free-farrowing systems. In CRATE, four or more assistance events occurred in 30 % of dystocia cases, whereas no parturition in free-farrowing systems required more than two or three assistance events, suggesting that housing conditions influence dystocia rates. Visually assessed uterine contractions during expulsion were delayed and weaker in dystocic sows compared to eutocic. Vulval lacerations occurred in 26.1 % of sows, with more severe injuries and slower healing in CRATE housing. Piglet vitality decreased with longer farrowings and was lowest in CRATE during dystocia. First-week piglet mortality was highest in PEN and GROUP systems, regardless of farrowing process. Lower birth weight and higher meconium scores were linked to increased early mortality. Overall, housing system, farrowing duration, and parity influence farrowing outcomes, piglet vitality, and neonatal losses.