# Farrowing Crate Flooring Options and Piglet Injury Prevention ## Key Takeaways - Farrowing crate flooring directly impacts piglet survival by influencing crushing, starvation, and injury rates, with crushing accounting for over half of first-week mortality. - Plastic-coated expanded metal offers a balanced solution for most producers, providing good piglet traction, moderate cost, and ease of cleaning, though its durability is limited to 5-8 years. - Cast iron flooring is the most durable (20+ years) but is expensive, heavy, and cold for piglets, necessitating supplemental heat and bedding, while Tenderfoot-style plastic flooring reduces abrasion but requires solid support to prevent sagging. - Piglet injuries, primarily abrasion (knees, hocks) and entrapment (legs through gaps), are most critical in the first three days post-birth; ideal gap width is 9-11mm to prevent leg entrapment. - Flooring selection must consider material durability, piglet comfort (insulation, traction), ease of cleaning, installation requirements (support spacing), and total cost, including lifespan and impact on piglet mortality. - Regular monitoring of piglet injury rates, floor condition (rust, sharp edges, gap width), and sow lameness, coupled with prompt repair or replacement of worn flooring, is crucial for preventing economic losses. --- Farrowing crate flooring is one of the most important decisions you will make for your sow herd and their litters. The floor under a crate affects piglet survival, sow comfort, lameness rates, and how much time you spend cleaning. This guide compares the main farrowing crate floor types, explains how flooring contributes to piglet injuries, and gives you a practical system for selecting, installing, and maintaining the right floor for your barn. It is written for independent producers, farm managers, and anyone planning a new farrowing barn or replacing worn flooring in an existing one. ## At a Glance - **Plastic coated expanded metal** is the most common all purpose choice for new farrowing crates because it balances piglet comfort, traction, and ease of cleaning. - **Cast iron flooring** is the most durable option but is heavy, expensive, and can be cold for newborn piglets unless you provide a heat source and bedding. - **Tenderfoot style plastic flooring** reduces knee and hock abrasion but requires solid support underneath and careful installation to prevent sagging. - **Expanded metal and woven wire** are cheaper but cause more piglet foot and knee injuries, especially in the first three days after birth. - **Slat width and gap spacing** matter more than material in many cases. Gaps that are too wide trap piglet legs and cause crushing injuries. - **Piglet injury prevention starts with the floor** but also requires proper heat lamps, mats, and daily inspection of both the floor surface and the piglets. - **Replace or repair flooring** when you see rust, sharp edges, broken welds, or sagging panels that create trip hazards for sows and snag hazards for piglets. - **Keep records** of injury rates, lameness, and floor condition by crate row so you can identify problem areas before they become costly. ## Why Farrowing Crate Flooring Matters for Piglet Survival The farrowing crate exists to protect piglets from being crushed by the sow. The floor is the surface where that protection either works or fails. A newborn piglet weighs about 3 pounds and has thin skin, no body fat, and limited mobility. The floor under the crate is the first surface the piglet touches after birth and the surface it lives on for the next three to four weeks. Flooring directly influences three major causes of piglet death: crushing, starvation, and injury. When a piglet gets a leg caught in a gap in the floor, it cannot escape the sow when she lies down. When a piglet abrades its knees and hocks on rough flooring, it may develop infections that make it reluctant to nurse. When a floor is cold or wet, piglets cluster under the heat lamp instead of moving to the udder to nurse. Each of these problems traces back to the floor surface. The economic impact is substantial. Piglet mortality in the first week after birth typically ranges from 8 to 12 percent in well managed herds, and crushing accounts for more than half of those losses. If your floor causes even a 2 percent increase in mortality, you lose real income on every litter. Flooring also affects sow longevity. Sows that develop foot and leg injuries from poor flooring are culled earlier, which increases replacement costs. ## Understanding the Main Farrowing Crate Floor Types Before you can choose a floor, you need to understand what is available and how each material performs. The five main options are plastic coated expanded metal, cast iron, Tenderfoot style plastic, plain expanded metal, and woven wire or welded rod. Each has strengths and weaknesses that matter at different stages of the piglet's life. ### Plastic Coated Expanded Metal Flooring Plastic coated expanded metal is the most widely used farrowing crate flooring in modern barns. The base is expanded metal mesh that has been dipped in or coated with a plastic layer. The coating provides a smoother surface than bare metal and reduces abrasion on piglet knees and hocks. The main advantages are good traction for piglets, moderate cost, and relatively easy cleaning. The plastic coating also provides some insulation compared to bare metal, which helps keep piglets warmer. The coating reduces the sharp edges that are common on uncoated expanded metal. The main disadvantage is durability. The plastic coating can peel or chip over time, especially in high traffic areas near the sow's feed bowl and where the sow enters and exits the crate. Once the coating fails, the underlying metal rusts and creates sharp edges. Most plastic coated floors need replacement every five to eight years depending on usage and cleaning practices. Plastic coated expanded metal is a good choice for most producers because it offers the best balance of piglet comfort, cost, and ease of cleaning. It works well in both new barns and as a replacement floor in existing crates. ### Cast Iron Farrowing Flooring Cast iron flooring is the traditional heavy duty option. These floors are made of solid cast iron sections with slits or slots for manure passage. They are extremely durable and can last 20 years or more with proper care. The advantages are longevity and strength. Cast iron floors do not flex or sag, they resist rust better than steel, and they can support the weight of the largest sows without deformation. They also stay cleaner than some other options because the solid surface does not trap manure in the same way that mesh does. The disadvantages are significant. Cast iron is expensive, often two to three times the cost of plastic coated expanded metal. It is very heavy, which makes installation labor intensive and requires a sturdy crate frame. The surface is hard and cold, which increases the need for heat lamps and bedding for newborn piglets. Some cast iron floors have a smooth surface that becomes slippery when wet, increasing the risk of sows slipping and injuring themselves or piglets. Cast iron is best for producers who want maximum durability and are willing to manage the cold surface with heat lamps and mats. It is also a good choice for operations that farrow continuously and cannot afford downtime for floor replacement. ### Tenderfoot Style Plastic Flooring Tenderfoot is a brand name that has become generic for plastic slatted flooring made of polypropylene or similar materials. These floors consist of interlocking plastic slats with small gaps for manure passage. They are commonly used in nurseries and grow finish barns but are also available for farrowing crates. The main advantage is piglet comfort. The plastic surface is warmer than metal and provides excellent traction. Piglets raised on Tenderfoot style flooring have lower rates of knee and hock abrasion compared to metal floors. The flooring is also resistant to corrosion and does not rust. The disadvantages are structural. Plastic flooring requires solid support underneath because it will sag or flex under the weight of a sow if the supports are spaced too far apart. The slats can also become slippery when covered with manure slurry. Some producers report that plastic flooring holds odor more than metal floors and requires more aggressive cleaning. Tenderfoot style flooring works well in farrowing crates when installed over a solid concrete base or with closely spaced supports. It is an excellent choice for producers who are seeing high rates of piglet knee abrasion on metal floors. ### Plain Expanded Metal Flooring Plain expanded metal without plastic coating is the budget option. It is made from steel sheet that has been slit and stretched to create a diamond pattern mesh. It is cheaper than coated versions and provides good drainage and ventilation. The disadvantages are serious. Uncoated expanded metal has sharp edges where the metal is cut and stretched. These edges abrade piglet knees, hocks, and teats. The metal is cold and conducts heat away from piglets rapidly. It also rusts quickly in the humid environment of a farrowing barn, which creates more sharp edges and weakens the floor structure. Plain expanded metal is not recommended for farrowing crates. The cost savings are quickly lost to increased piglet injury, higher mortality, and more frequent replacement. If you have plain expanded metal floors, consider replacing them with coated or plastic options. ### Woven Wire and Welded Rod Flooring Woven wire flooring is made of interwoven steel wires that create a mesh surface. Welded rod flooring uses parallel rods that are welded to cross supports. Both are less common in farrowing crates than in other swine facilities. These floors provide good drainage and are relatively inexpensive. However, they have the same problems as plain expanded metal. The wire surfaces are hard and cold, and the gaps between wires can trap piglet legs. Welded joints can break over time, creating sharp protrusions that injure both sows and piglets. Woven wire and welded rod are not ideal for farrowing crates. They are better suited to grow finish barns where piglets are larger and more mobile. ## How Flooring Causes Piglet Injuries Understanding the mechanisms of flooring related injuries helps you identify problems before they become severe. There are four main ways that flooring injures piglets. ### Abrasion Injuries Abrasion is the most common flooring related injury. Newborn piglets have thin, delicate skin. When they crawl or are dragged across a rough surface, the skin on their knees, hocks, and sometimes their snouts and teats gets rubbed raw. These abrasions are painful and can become infected. The first three days after birth are the highest risk period. Piglets are learning to move and nurse. They spend much of their time on their knees while nursing, which puts direct pressure on the knee joints. A rough floor surface combined with the motion of nursing creates a sandpaper effect. Abrasion injuries are visible as red, raw patches on the knees and hocks. In severe cases, the skin breaks and you see swelling and discharge. These injuries can progress to arthritis or septicemia if bacteria enter through the broken skin. ### Entrapment Injuries Entrapment occurs when a piglet's leg or foot slips through a gap in the flooring and gets stuck. The piglet cannot free itself and is trapped in a vulnerable position. If the sow lies down while a piglet is trapped, the piglet is crushed. Gap size is the critical factor. Gaps that are too wide allow piglet legs to slip through. Gaps that are too narrow trap manure and do not clean properly. The ideal gap width for farrowing crate flooring is between 9 and 11 millimeters for piglets under 10 days old. Some producers prefer slightly wider gaps for older piglets, but the risk of entrapment increases with gap width. Entrapment injuries also occur when flooring panels are damaged. Broken welds, bent slats, and lifted edges create irregular openings that trap piglet legs. Regular inspection of the floor surface is essential to catch these problems early. ### Crushing Injuries Crushing is the leading cause of piglet death in farrowing crates, and flooring contributes to crushing in several ways. A piglet that is trapped in a floor gap cannot escape when the sow lies down. A piglet that is injured and weak from abrasion is slower to move out of the sow's path. A piglet that is cold because the floor conducts heat away will seek warmth near the sow's body, which puts it in a dangerous position. Flooring also affects crushing risk indirectly through its effect on the sow. A sow that is uncomfortable on a hard or slippery floor may lie down suddenly or awkwardly, giving piglets less time to escape. A sow that slips and falls can crush piglets that are in the crate. ### Temperature Related Injuries Floors conduct heat away from piglets at different rates. Metal floors, especially cast iron and uncoated steel, are excellent conductors of heat. A newborn piglet lying on a cold metal floor loses body heat rapidly. The piglet becomes chilled and weak, which makes it less mobile and more likely to be crushed. Chilled piglets also nurse less, which leads to starvation. Plastic floors are better insulators and feel warmer to piglets. However, all floors require supplemental heat in the form of heat lamps or pads to maintain the piglet comfort zone of 90 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit in the first week. ## Selecting the Right Floor for Your Operation Choosing a farrowing crate floor is not a one size fits all decision. Your choice depends on your climate, your barn design, your budget, and the condition of your current floors. Work through these factors in order. ### Assess Your Current Floors If you are replacing existing floors, start by documenting what is wrong with the current surface. Walk through your farrowing barn and look for these problems: - Rust spots or corrosion that has eaten through the metal - Sharp edges or burrs where coating has peeled - Broken welds or loose panels - Sagging or bowed sections that create uneven surfaces - Gaps that are wider than 11 millimeters - Manure buildup that indicates poor drainage Take photos and note which crates have the worst floors. This will help you prioritize replacement and identify patterns. For example, if floors near the feed room are always worse, the issue may be related to cleaning chemicals or traffic patterns. ### Match Floor Type to Your Barn Design Your existing crate frames and barn structure limit your flooring options. Cast iron floors are heavy and require sturdy frames. Plastic floors require solid support underneath. Expanded metal floors are lighter and work with most frame designs. Measure your crate dimensions and check the manufacturer's specifications for your crate model. Some crates are designed for specific floor types and will not accept others without modification. If you are unsure, contact the crate manufacturer or a local equipment dealer. ### Consider Your Climate and Ventilation In cold climates, the insulating properties of plastic flooring become more important. Piglets lose less heat on plastic surfaces, which reduces the demand on your heat lamps and can lower your energy costs. In warm climates, the heat retention of plastic can be a disadvantage, and the cooling effect of metal floors may be beneficial. Ventilation also matters. Floors that allow good airflow from below help keep the lying area dry and reduce ammonia buildup. Floors that trap moisture create a wet environment that increases chilling and promotes bacterial growth. ### Calculate the Full Cost The purchase price of flooring is only part of the cost. Consider these factors: - Installation labor, especially for heavy cast iron floors - Expected lifespan of the material - Energy costs for heating piglets on cold floors - Cleaning time and chemical costs - Piglet mortality and injury rates - Sow lameness and culling rates A cheaper floor that lasts only five years and causes a 2 percent increase in mortality is more expensive in the long run than a premium floor that lasts 15 years and keeps piglets healthy. ### Test Before You Commit If you are considering a floor type you have not used before, install it in a small section of your barn first. Run one or two crates with the new flooring for a full farrowing cycle. Track piglet injury rates, cleanliness, and sow behavior. Compare the results to your existing floors. This trial approach costs a little time but prevents expensive mistakes. ## Step by Step Floor Installation Guide Proper installation is as important as the floor material itself. A good floor installed poorly will perform badly and may create new hazards. Follow these steps for a successful installation. ### Step 1: Remove Old Flooring Empty the crate and remove the sow and piglets. Disconnect any electrical or water lines attached to the crate. Remove the old flooring panels carefully. Wear gloves because old metal flooring often has sharp edges. Inspect the crate frame and support structure while the floor is removed. Look for rust, bent supports, and loose bolts. Repair or replace any damaged frame components before installing the new floor. ### Step 2: Clean and Prepare the Area Pressure wash the crate area and the concrete base underneath. Remove all manure, feed, and debris. Allow the area to dry completely. If you are installing over a concrete base, check for cracks or uneven areas that need repair. Apply a disinfectant to the area and allow it to dry according to the label instructions. This reduces the risk of disease transmission between groups. ### Step 3: Check Support Spacing Different floor types have different support requirements. Plastic floors typically need supports every 12 to 18 inches. Metal floors can span wider gaps but still need adequate support to prevent sagging. Measure the distance between your support beams. If the spacing exceeds the manufacturer's recommendation for your chosen floor, add additional supports before installing the floor panels. ### Step 4: Install Floor Panels Follow the manufacturer's instructions for your specific floor type. In general, you should: - Start at one end of the crate and work toward the other - Align panels so that slots or gaps run in the correct direction - Secure panels to the frame with the provided fasteners - Ensure panels sit flat and level with no rocking or tilting - Leave the recommended expansion gap between panels for plastic floors Do not over tighten fasteners on plastic floors. Plastic expands and contracts with temperature changes, and over tightening can cause cracking. ### Step 5: Check Gap Widths After installation, measure the gaps between slats or the openings in mesh. The gaps should be consistent throughout the crate. The ideal gap width for piglet safety is 9 to 11 millimeters. Gaps wider than 11 millimeters increase the risk of leg entrapment. Use a gap gauge or a simple ruler to check multiple points in each crate. Adjust panels if necessary to achieve consistent spacing. ### Step 6: Smooth Any Rough Edges Run your hand over the entire floor surface to feel for sharp edges, burrs, or protrusions. Pay special attention to the edges of panels and the areas around fasteners. File down any rough spots with a metal file or grinder. For plastic floors, check that the interlocking connections are flush and do not create raised edges that could trip piglets. ### Step 7: Test the Floor Place a sow sized weight or walk on the floor yourself to test for stability and flex. The floor should not move, bounce, or sag under load. Check that the floor does not shift when the sow moves around the crate. Run water over the floor to test drainage. Water should pass through the gaps quickly and not pool on the surface. ### Step 8: Disinfect Before Use After installation is complete, clean and disinfect the entire crate area one more time. Allow it to dry before bringing in the next sow. This final disinfection removes any contaminants introduced during installation. ## Common Flooring Mistakes to Avoid Even experienced producers make flooring mistakes that cost them piglets. Here are the most common problems and how to avoid them. ### Ignoring Gap Width The most common mistake is using flooring with gaps that are too wide. Producers sometimes choose wider gaps because they clean easier and allow more manure to pass through. But wider gaps trap piglet legs. A piglet with a trapped leg cannot escape the sow and is at high risk of crushing. Measure your gaps regularly. If you find gaps wider than 11 millimeters, replace the flooring or add a mat or bedding over the problem area until you can make a permanent fix. ### Using the Wrong Floor for Piglet Age Some producers use the same flooring for farrowing as they use for nurseries. Nursery flooring often has wider gaps because piglets are larger and more mobile. Those gaps are dangerous for newborn piglets. If you use a single floor type throughout your barn, make sure the gaps are sized for the smallest animals that will use the space. ### Neglecting Heat Lamps No floor eliminates the need for supplemental heat. Even the best plastic floor is cooler than the piglet's comfort zone. Newborn piglets need a floor surface temperature of 90 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit in the first week. Heat lamps or heat pads are essential regardless of your floor type. Place heat lamps so that the warm zone covers the piglet lying area but not the sow's lying area. The sow should be able to find a cool spot to lie down. Piglets will choose the warm zone, which keeps them away from the sow and reduces crushing risk. ### Skipping Daily Floor Inspections Floors deteriorate gradually. A small rust spot becomes a sharp edge. A loose panel becomes a gap that traps legs. Daily inspection catches these problems before they cause injuries. Walk through your farrowing barn at least once a day. Look at the floors in every occupied crate. Run your hand over suspicious areas. Fix small problems immediately before they become big ones. ### Power Washing Too Aggressively Power washing is necessary for cleaning, but too much pressure damages floors. High pressure water can peel plastic coating, bend slats, and force water into cracks where it causes rust. Use the lowest pressure that effectively cleans the floor. Avoid directing the spray at the edges of panels where coating is most vulnerable. ### Using Harsh Chemicals on Plastic Floors Some disinfectants and cleaning chemicals damage plastic flooring. Chlorine based products and some acids can cause plastic to become brittle and crack. Check the flooring manufacturer's recommendations for compatible cleaning products. When in doubt, use a mild detergent and rinse thoroughly. ### Ignoring Sow Comfort A floor that is uncomfortable for the sow creates problems for piglets. Sows on hard or slippery floors are more restless. They lie down more often and more suddenly, which gives piglets less time to escape. They may also develop foot and leg injuries that reduce milk production. If you see sows that are reluctant to lie down, that slip when entering the crate, or that have swollen feet or legs, evaluate your flooring. Adding a rubber mat over the sow's lying area can improve comfort while maintaining the benefits of your existing floor. ## Monitoring Piglet Injuries and Floor Performance You cannot manage what you do not measure. A simple monitoring system helps you track injury rates and identify flooring problems early. ### Track Injury Rates For each litter, record the number of piglets with visible injuries. Categories to track include: - Knee abrasions - Hock abrasions - Leg entrapment or lameness - Skin lesions or infections - Deaths from crushing Record the age of the piglet when the injury was first observed. Most flooring related injuries appear in the first three days after birth. ### Calculate Injury Rates by Crate Assign each crate a number and track injuries by crate. This helps you identify problem crates before they cause widespread losses. If one crate consistently has higher injury rates, inspect the floor in that crate carefully. The floor may be worn, damaged, or improperly installed. ### Monitor Floor Condition Create a simple scoring system for floor condition. For each crate, rate the floor on a scale of 1 to 5 for: - Surface smoothness - Gap consistency - Rust or corrosion - Panel stability - Drainage Inspect floors monthly and record the scores. When a floor scores 2 or lower on any measure, plan for repair or replacement. ### Keep Records Over Time Maintain a simple spreadsheet or notebook with your injury and floor data. Track trends over months and years. This data helps you make informed decisions about floor replacement and helps you evaluate whether a new floor type is performing as expected. ### Use Data to Make Decisions When you are considering a floor replacement, use your records to calculate the cost of your current flooring problems. If you are losing 3 percent of piglets to crushing and a new floor could reduce that to 2 percent, the value of the saved piglets may justify the floor cost. Data turns a subjective decision into a financial one. ## When to Call a Veterinarian or Extension Agent Most flooring issues are management problems that you can solve yourself. However, some situations warrant professional help. ### Call Your Veterinarian When - You see a sudden increase in piglet deaths from crushing or injury that is not explained by floor condition - Piglets have swollen joints, lameness, or signs of infection that suggest a disease problem, not just abrasion - Sows have foot or leg injuries that are not healing, which may indicate a deeper problem with your flooring or management - You see unusual patterns of injury that suggest a problem you cannot identify A veterinarian can help you distinguish between injuries caused by flooring and injuries caused by infectious disease. Both can look similar, but the solutions are very different. ### Call Your Extension Agent When - You are planning a new farrowing barn and need help selecting flooring - You are considering a major floor replacement and want to compare options - You want to evaluate the economics of different flooring choices - You need help interpreting your injury and mortality data Extension agents have access to research and case studies from other farms in your region. They can help you avoid mistakes and connect you with other producers who have tried different flooring options. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How long should farrowing crate flooring last? The lifespan depends on the material and how well you maintain it. Plastic coated expanded metal typically lasts five to eight years before the coating fails and rust develops. Cast iron floors can last 20 years or more. Tenderfoot style plastic floors last 10 to 15 years with proper care. Aggressive cleaning, harsh chemicals, and heavy use shorten the lifespan of any floor. Inspect your floors monthly and replace them when you see sharp edges, broken welds, or gaps that exceed 11 millimeters. ### What is the best gap width for farrowing crate flooring? The ideal gap width for farrowing crate flooring is 9 to 11 millimeters. Gaps in this range allow manure to pass through while preventing piglet legs from slipping through and becoming trapped. Gaps wider than 11 millimeters increase the risk of leg entrapment and crushing. Gaps narrower than 9 millimeters tend to clog with manure and are difficult to clean. If you are using flooring with wider gaps, add a rubber mat or bedding over the problem area to protect piglets. ### Can I use nursery flooring in farrowing crates? Nursery flooring is generally not suitable for farrowing crates. Nursery floors have wider gaps because nursery piglets are larger and more mobile. Those wider gaps are dangerous for newborn piglets, whose legs can slip through and become trapped. Nursery floors are also often designed for different support spacing and may not fit your farrowing crate frame. Use flooring specifically designed for farrowing crates, with gaps sized for newborn piglets. ### How do I clean farrowing crate flooring without damaging it? Use the lowest pressure that effectively cleans the floor. High pressure power washing can peel plastic coating, bend slats, and force water into cracks where it causes rust. Use a mild detergent and rinse thoroughly. Avoid chlorine based disinfectants and harsh acids on plastic floors because they can make the plastic brittle. Check the flooring manufacturer's recommendations for compatible cleaning products. Allow floors to dry completely before bringing in the next sow. ### Why are my piglets getting sores on their knees? Knee sores on piglets are almost always caused by abrasion on the floor surface. The piglets spend time on their knees while nursing, and a rough floor rubs the skin raw. This is most common on uncoated metal floors, worn plastic coated floors where the coating has peeled, and floors with sharp edges or burrs. Check the floor surface in the affected crates. Run your hand over the floor to feel for rough spots. If you find problems, repair or replace the floor. You can also provide a rubber mat or bedding in the piglet lying area as a temporary fix. ### Does flooring affect sow lameness? Yes, flooring has a significant effect on sow lameness. Hard floors like cast iron can cause foot and leg injuries, especially in heavy sows. Slippery floors cause sows to slip and fall, which can strain joints and muscles. Floors with sharp edges or broken areas can cut sow feet and lead to infections. Sows that are uncomfortable on the floor are also more restless, which increases the risk of crushing piglets. If you see sows with swollen feet, reluctance to lie down, or difficulty rising, evaluate your flooring and consider adding rubber mats over the sow's lying area. ### Should I use bedding on farrowing crate flooring? Bedding can help protect piglets from abrasion and provide warmth, but it creates management challenges. Bedding must be kept clean and dry to prevent bacterial growth. It can also clog the gaps in slatted flooring and reduce drainage. If you use bedding, use a small amount of clean straw or wood shavings in the piglet area only, not throughout the crate. Replace wet or soiled bedding daily. Some producers prefer to use rubber mats instead of bedding because they are easier to clean and do not clog the floor. ### How do I know when to replace my farrowing crate flooring? Replace flooring when you see any of these signs: sharp edges or burrs that can cut piglets or sows, rust that has eaten through the metal, broken welds or loose panels, gaps wider than 11 millimeters, sagging or bowed sections, or plastic coating that has peeled and exposed sharp metal underneath. Also replace flooring if you consistently see higher injury rates in certain crates and cannot identify another cause. Do not wait for a serious injury to occur. The cost of replacing a floor is small compared to the cost of lost piglets and injured sows. ## Related Farming Guides This section will be populated with links to related farming guides on farrowing management, piglet care, and swine facility design. Check back for updated content on these topics. ## Related Clinical & Scientific Guides * [Pig Enrichment Programs and Behavior Monitoring](/knowledge/animal-farming/swine/pig-enrichment-programs-and-behavior-monitoring) * [Swine Handling Facility Design for Safe Pig Movement](/knowledge/animal-farming/swine/swine-handling-facility-design-safe-pig-movement) * [Swine Feeding Management for Grow-Finish Pigs](/knowledge/animal-farming/swine/swine-feeding-management-for-grow-finish-pigs) ## References - National Pork Board: https://www.pork.org/ - USDA APHIS Swine Health: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/swine - FAO Pig Production: https://www.fao.org/pig-production-and-products/en/ - FAO Animal Production and Health: https://www.fao.org/animal-production/en/ - WOAH (World Organisation for Animal Health): https://www.woah.org/en/home/ > This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis, treatment, public-health guidance, or regulatory reporting.