Review on group housing and mixing of sows

Council Directive 2008/120/EC of 18 December 2008 laying down minimum standards for the protection of pigs states that pregnant sows must be housed in groups from four weeks after service until one week before the expected time of farrowing. This review first describes the species-specific social, feeding and exploratory behaviour of sows during pregnancy and their behavioural and physical needs for climate and resting comfort. The change from confinement into group-housing systems for pregnant sows is briefly addressed. By addressing the specific needs, four focus areas relevant for sow welfare, and accordingly relevant for inspections, were identified and highlighted: (1) mixing of unfamiliar pigs, (2) competition for limited resources, (3) restrictive feeding and (4) climate and resting comfort.