Determinants of Piglet Mortality

Abstract

Piglet mortality remains a significant challenge to sustainable pig farming. This review evaluates three major contributors to piglet mortality: crushing, starvation and diseases. Crushing accounts for up to 50% of piglet mortality, often linked to poor maternal behaviour, poor housing and sow parity. Starvation results from mastitis, poor maternal care, neonatal desertion and competition in large litters, often worsened by low birth weight and poor sow health. Diseases such as porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome and transmissible gastroenteritis increase mortality, especially in piglets that do not receive adequate colostrum within the first 24 hours of life. Sows in their second to fourth parity offer optimal maternal capacity and colostrum yield. Additionally, housing interventions such as the provision of ellipsoid farrowing crates and where feasible, pens designed to enhance sow welfare and protect piglets, significantly reduce crushing incidents. Technological interventions, including surveillance and the use of electronic devices that prevent the sow from crushing piglets show promise in reducing piglet mortality. Ultimately, improving piglet survival requires not just understanding individual causes but managing the interplay of genetic and environmental factors. We emphasise the need for an integrated  management approach that combines pen design, nutritional strategies and the monitoring of sow behaviour to reduce piglet mortality rates.