More farmers are working with loose-housed sows during farrowing and lactation. Here we share some good practice approaches.
Many of these approaches have been compiled by the Welfarmers Project. This is a collaborative initiative aimed at improving the welfare of pigs within the European Union. Funded by the Horizon Europe Program, WelFarmers set up eight national innovation networks from eight different countries and put together pig farmers, advisors, veterinarians, and researchers to address the challenges of the upcoming change in the European pig welfare legislation. One of their main topics is ‘Ban of cages’.
The project works with farmers to:
- identify opportunities and solutions in the field of loose housing of lactating sows;
- collect and collate existing knowledge to address these solutions;
- validate, evaluate, and report on farm good/best practice or innovations identified.
Here we share links to three of the showcased good practices that were selected by a panel from the project. To learn more please click on each image or visit the Welfarmers website.
The Danish farmer explains how they use temporary confinement to improve piglet survival during the first few days after farrowing.
The MamaGuide system was created by a farmer who has kept sows loose during farrowing and lactation (zero confinement) since 2007. In response to challenges with piglet crushing, he developed MamaGuide in 2023 — a pen-mounted device that prevents sows from rolling.
The pen design (creep area near passageway) allows an easy access to check all litters everyday.
