Prepartal Activity of Sows in Stall or Pen

Sows held in a farrowing stall got up (sat up or stood up) more often during the 48 hr preceding parturition than did those in a pen (70.5 vs 56.5 times). Farrowing accommodation did not affect total amount of time sitting or standing. Presence of straw affected neither the number of times the sows got up nor the amount of time they spent sitting or standing. However, during the 48-hr period preceding delivery of the first piglet, sows tended to sit or stand progressively more often and for longer periods. Two sows killed several of their newborn piglets. Both had spent more time sitting or standing during the 48-hr period before the first piglet was born than had the other sows (1,190 vs 792 min).