The farrowing sow: to confine or not confine

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to examine the effect of different temporary uses of farrowing crates and free farrowing on farrowing duration and piglet survival and growth under normal production conditions. The study included three farrowing systems on two farms: free farrowing (FF); temporary crating with confinement for farrowing and for 3 days afterward (TC0int:3); and temporary crating with confinement for 2 days before expected farrowing and 3 days of lactation (TC-2:3). On farm 1, sows were studied in all three systems (FF, n = 39; TC0int:3, n = 34; TC-2:3, n = 36), and on farm 2, sows were allocated to two systems (FF, n = 24; TC0int:3, n = 23). Results On farm 1, there was no difference in farrowing duration or piglet birth intervals between the farrowing systems. On farm 2, farrowing system affected the total duration of farrowing (median FF 221 min and TC0int:3 306 min, p < 0.01) and average birth interval between first and fifth piglets (FF 16 min and TC0int:3 23 min, p = 0.04) and first and tenth piglets (FF 12 min and TC0int:3 21 min, p < 0.01); both the total duration of farrowing and both birth intervals were shorter for FF sows compared to TC0int:3 sows. Farrowing system tended to affect the number of stillborn piglets on farm 1 ( p = 0.09); the median number of stillborn piglets was numerically higher in the TC0int:3 group (median 1) than in the FF (0) or TC-2:3 (0) groups. No mortality variables differed between the farrowing systems on farm 2. On farm 1, no difference was found between farrowing systems on litter average daily gain (ADG). On farm 2, TC0int:3 sows had better litter ADG than FF sows (FF 298 g/day, TC0int:3 324 g/day, p = 0.03). Conclusions The effects of farrowing strategies depend on the farm. Shorter farrowing duration and piglet birth intervals observed in FF compared with TC0int:3 on farm 2. Piglet mortality, measured as piglets that died during the first 3 days of lactation, did not differ significantly between FF and TC systems, indicating no increase in early piglet crushing under FF conditions. In addition, litter ADG was higher in TC0int:3 than in FF on farm 2. Findings highlight the importance of farm-specific management factors.