Temporary crating (TC) provides lactating sows with the opportunity to move more freely
after crate opening a few days after parturition. The aim of this paper was to evaluate …

Patterns of maternal behaviour are strongly related to reproductive abilities in sows.
Prepartal behaviour of sows is mainly characterised by nest-building activities, resulting in a …

This scientific opinion focuses on the welfare of pigs on farm, and is based on literature and
expert opinion. All pig categories were assessed: gilts and dry sows, farrowing and lactating …

This paper will argue that understanding animal welfare and the individual vulnerability to
stress-related disease requires a fundamental understanding of functional individual …

The modern hyper-prolific sow gives birth to more piglets than she has functional teats (in
the following called supernumerary piglets). The aim of the present study was (1) to …

The development of fear and stress responses in animals can be influenced by early life
experiences, including interactions with humans, maternal care, and the physical …

Temporary confinement during parturition and early postpartum may provide an
intermediary step preceding loose housing that offers improvement in sow and piglet …

Piglet crushing remains a problem in crated sows and it is even more of a problem in loose
housing systems. Most piglets are crushed when the sow moves from standing to lying or …

Prepartum nesting opportunities may improve maternal characteristics and welfare of sows
during parturition and lactation. We investigated the effects of provision of space and nesting …

In this field-study, four behaviour traits were genetically evaluated as possible selection traits
for improving piglet survival: the sow's reaction to a piglet scream, the sow's reaction to her …