Is crushing attributed to sows, piglets or housing?

Researchers from Aarhus University, Denmark have evaluated sow and piglet behaviour preceding and following fatal incidences of crushing. They wanted to know whether crushing events are attributed to sow behaviour, piglet vitality or inappropriate housing conditions. Pre-weaning piglet mortality is a major concern in swine production systems. Approximately 83% of piglet mortality is due to crushing events. The major risk factors are the sow’s maternal behaviour, the individual piglet, and h