AASV Position Statement: Sow Housing

As swine veterinarians, our mission is to protect and improve the health and well-being of the animal. Given the variability inherent in different housing systems, the American Association of Swine Veterinarians supports the use of sow housing configurations that:

• Provide every animal with access to appropriate food and water;
• Protect sows and piglets from detrimental effects associated with environmental extremes, particularly temperature extremes;
• Reduce exposure to hazards that result in disease, pain or injury to sows or piglets;
• Allow sows and piglets to express appropriate behaviors and minimize expression of inappropriate behaviors within the constraints of the housing type;
• Minimize aggression and competition between sows;
• Promote good air quality and allow proper sanitation;
• Facilitate evaluation and care of individual animals while protecting worker safety; and
• Provide alternative housing for sows based on evaluation of each sow's individual needs.

There are advantages and disadvantages to any sow housing that should be considered by weighing scientific evidence and veterinary professional judgement. Our role is to teach and promote appropriate stockmanship, which is as important as housing type in meeting the needs of the animals. Methods of selection (genotypic and phenotypic) should be considered for identifying animals that can thrive in various housing environments. Furthermore, we support research that investigates the impact of housing on sow welfare.