By Julia Linck Moroni, Manager Global Nutrition and Female Reproduction Services
Group gestation is widely regarded as a more welfare-friendly alternative to traditional gestation crates, as it offers sows greater movement, social interaction, and the ability to express natural behavior.
However, it can also introduce challenges, including aggression and competition for resources. Effective management, such as proper space allocation, group formation and well-planned feeding strategies, is crucial to enhance both animal welfare and overall productivity.
Julia Linck Moroni is a Female Reproduction Specialist and Manager of Global Nutrition and Female Reproduction Services. She provides international technical support on female reproduction across the Americas and works with her team to develop recommendations and protocols to optimize fertility outcomes. Julia also collaborates with Topigs Norsvin research department on female fertility.
Main challenges group gestation
What are the main challenges with group gestation?
Aggression is the main problem in my experience. Sows naturally establish a social hierarchy. This leads to fighting, injuries, and stress, especially during the first day of mixing. In competitive group housing, dominant sows may push others around to get extra feed, making it harder for weaker sows to get their fair share.
Inadequate space and poor pen design exacerbate aggression and limit movement. Competition for resources, such as feed, water, and rest areas, can cause uneven nutrition and higher stress levels among weaker sows. A second challenge is accurately monitoring sow behavior, herd dynamics, and overall health, especially in a big group setting.
Reproductive performance
Does group gestation affect reproductive performance?
Group gestation should not affect reproductive performance. Studies back up our observations that well-managed and well-designed group gestation systems do not harm reproductive performance but instead offer various long-term benefits for sow health and productivity.
We cannot ignore, however, that reproductive results may be affected when sows are subjected to high stress levels. Acute or chronic stress caused by environmental, social, metabolic or immunological factors directly and indirectly affect pregnancy maintenance and the number of live-born piglets.
Best time to move
When is the best time to move pregnant sows to group housing?
The best time to move depends on local legislation. For example, under USA PROP 12 rules, sows cannot be individually housed at any point except in specific cases. However, other countries allow individual housing for up to 28 or 35 days after breeding. When sows are bred in individual stalls, I recommend moving them either before day 5 after breeding or after day 28 (if legislation allows after 35 days). These measures avoid subjecting sows to stress during the most sensitive period of gestation – the implantation period.
Timing is not the only crucial factor. Ensure a smooth transition to group formation. Where possible, group sows by parity, size and/or body condition to help reduce aggressive interactions at feeding. Provide enough space in the new pen, transfer satiated sows, offer extra feed upon arrival, and incorporate environmental enrichment. These measures help prevent aggression and promote a successful adaptation within the first days.
Active daily monitoring
Why is active daily monitoring so important?
Daily active monitoring of sows by a well-trained team is vital for reproductive success and sow longevity. Look for lame sows or those not standing, check for off-feed events, and intervene and treat these when applicable. Also, identify and remove sows that have returned to heat, as they exhibit behavioral changes, like increased activity and mounting behavior, which can disrupt the social balance and increase the risk of injuries in pen mates.
I believe that well-managed and designed group systems pave the way toward a more sustainable and ethical sow management without compromising on productivity.
