Archive: AASV Position Statement – Sow Housing
The following versions of the position statement are provided for historical purposes only.
The current AASV Position Statement on Sow Housing was reaffirmed by the Board of Directors on April 25, 2024. Previous versions of the position are below:
2018/2021 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; and
- Facilitate evaluation and care of individual animals while protecting worker safety
We strive to foster these essential components where supported by the scientific literature, in all housing systems. Our role is to teach and promote appropriate stockmanship, which is as important as housing type in meeting the needs of the animals.
Approved by the AASV Board of Directors on April 3, 2018
Reaffirmed by the AASV Board of Directors of April 8, 2021
2012/2015 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; and
- Facilitate evaluation and care of individual animals while protecting worker safety
We strive to foster these essential components where supported by the scientific literature, in all housing systems. Our goal is to teach and promote appropriate stockmanship, which is as important as housing type in meeting the needs of the animals.
Approved by the AASV Board of Directors, October 17, 2012
Reaffirmed by the AASV Board of Directors on March 30, 2015
2002 AASV Position Statement: Pregnant Sow Housing
The American Association of Swine Veterinarians supports the use of sow housing configurations that:
- Minimize aggression and competition between sows;
- Protect sows from detrimental effects associated with environmental extremes, particularly temperature extremes;
- Reduce exposure to hazards that result in injuries;
- Provide every animal with daily access to appropriate food and water; and
- Facilitate observation of individual sow appetite, respiratory rate, urination and defecation, and reproductive status by caretakers.
Current scientific literature indicates that individual gestation stalls meet each of the aforementioned criteria, provided the appropriate level of stockmanship is administered.
Prepared by the AASV Pig Welfare Committee and approved by the AVMA HOD July 2002