Farrowing Systems

The UK pig industry has already started to move towards flexible farrowing. It is believed there are around 5000 flexible farrowing places operating in indoor commercial British pig farms, with many other producers looking to invest in flexible systems.

In commercial indoor pig farming in the UK, sows are traditionally restrained in specially designed accommodation in the period shortly before farrowing and during lactation in order to protect the piglet from being crushed by the sow, and to ensure the piglets have access to sow while she is lactating. This period is approximately 28 days as established by the UK’s Code of Practice for the welfare of pigs.

When sows are not lactating, they are housed in groups with no restraint.

The sow is restrained in a “crate” within a pen, allowing the piglets to move freely around the pen and to suckle, while minimising the risk of the sow lying on her piglets.

Outdoor sows also have a pen in which to farrow, but this is a larger area attached to an arc and the sow is not restrained.

In recent years there has been growing interest in alternative farrowing systems, including free farrowing, in which the sow is not confined at all during farrowing or lactation, and flexible farrowing, whereby the sow can be restrained for a period of a few days around farrowing before the crate is opened to allow her to more freely.

Commercial Review of Adaptive Farrowing Systems

The UK pig industry has already started to move towards flexible farrowing. In order to help support the body of evidence around the topic and to ensure that future policy is fit for purposes, in 2024 the NPA published it’s Commercial Review of Adaptive Farrowing Systems.

Part I: Descriptive findings and producer experience

Part II: Litter production data – descriptive statistics

Report Summary

The review has reinforced existing principles regarding the positive and negative aspects associated with a transition from conventional to flexible farrowing systems in that flexible farrowing is the most viable alternative to conventional farrowing crates due to alignment with natural sow behaviour and practical application, but requires greater management and expertise to mitigate challenges such as increased pre-weaning mortality and risk to stockperson. The review recommends a total floor area of between 5.5 and 6.5m2 with any one side of the free sow space measuring 1.4-1.5m. Further research should be considered to explore spatial design and the balance between sow space and piglet safe space, as well as management practices for flexible farrowing systems in controlled situations.

 

NPA Position paper on flexible farrowing

This position paper has drawn together producer experience, pricing information and construction knowledge from the Building Suppliers Forum, academic research, the NPA’s Commercial Review of Adaptive Farrowing Systems, AHDB’s economic analysis and member feedback.

It seeks to explain the direction of travel for the industry and to set a blueprint for flexible farrowing systems, including technical specifications and what is required for a successful transition.

Some elements may evolve over time as more research and commercial experience comes to light – it’s clear there is no one-size-fits-all version, so we hope that by providing a sensible framework, we will be allowed to take an industry-led, voluntary approach to farrowing while we work out what is best for the sow, piglets and stock people.

• You can read the NPA’s position paper here: NPA Position Paper Flexible Farrowing Systems

Summary

Here is a summary of the key points:

• A voluntary, industry-led approach rather than legislation
• A transition towards flexible farrowing systems
• A 20-year transition period, during which time new conventional systems cannot be installed – repairs and individual replacements of conventional pens can still be carried out
• A 5.5m2 minimum pen size
• A maximum of 10 days confinement total throughout the entire farrowing and suckling period
• The Building Suppliers Forum (BSF) estimates that it could cost £3,500-£5,000 per sow place to refurbish an existing building with a new system and £5,000-£8,000 for a new building – this does not include planning or any other associated costs
• The BSF also estimates that the current capacity of the building industry would require 15 years to transition all units from conventional to flexible farrowing – this does not include lengthy planning and permitting processes which on average take an additional 1.5-2 years
• Current planning restrictions mean that planning reform would be required to allow all producers to adapt or build new farrowing accommodation
• Our position focuses on worker safety and the need for everyone using these systems to have adequate training, as well as allowing for periods of trial and error as there is not a one-size-fits-all approach to management
• There is no scientific consensus so far on the optimum number of days to confine the sow for piglet mortality, and whether it is better to release a room of sows all at once or individually after a set number of days post-farrow
• This transition must be supported by the market and by infrastructure grants in order to make it viable for producers and not push businesses out of pig production.