Risk factors for piglet mortality in outdoor farrowing systems

摘要: Outdoor farrowing system account for 27% of breeding sows in England, and it is therefore important to understand the factors affecting their production efficiency. Piglet mortality is a significant economic and welfare issue, with farrowing and preweaning losses in commercial oudoor herds currently averaging 19% of all pigs born. Since sophisticated environmental and human interventions at the time of farrowing are infeasible in these systems, risk factors may differ in importance from those seen in indoor systems. A better understanding of the risk factors for different causes of mortality will help to design strategies to minimise losses.