A comparison of two indoor farrowing systems for sows

Over a 3-year period 150 farrowings of Large White sows were used to compare a stall farrowing system with a conventional-pen farrowing system. 2. Farrowing in the stall system of management resulted in a significantly lower percentage mortality both at 3 weeks (5·73±2·70%) and at 8 weeks (7·92±2·89%), than in the conventional-pen system. 3. Both total litter and individual pig weights were higher at 3 and 8 weeks in the stall system. 4. Despite higher building and electricity costs the stall system showed a margin of £1, 14s. per litter over the conventional-pen system.