A large-scale trial in Denmark shows piglet mortality in free-farrowing remains a problem but results also indicate that sows eat more, milk better and piglets wean at heavier weights compared with crate systems. Coming this winter: more research to reduce piglet mortality in no-crate systems and to find ways of selecting sows for best mothering ability in such systems.
This article can also be found in Pig Progress Volume 21 number 7. To view the article online simply click on the link below.