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How are sows and piglets housed during the weeks after birth?

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A large grain elevator and several metal silos stand on a farm surrounded by green fields, with hills and a partly cloudy sky in the background. — Farm building Grain elevator and silos on a small farm.

During the four to eight weeks following birth, sows and their piglets are housed in one of two primary types of facilities:

Movable, individual houses: These are generally constructed of wood and are located on or near pastures, allowing them to be relocated to clean ground each season.12
Central farrowing houses: These are fixed, enclosed buildings that often feature concrete floors, insulation, and climate control systems, such as ventilation or heating.12

Within these environments, a sow may be kept in a single pen with her litter, or she may be confined in a farrowing stall—sometimes called a crate—or restrained by a chain or harness. These confinement methods are designed to prevent the sow from accidentally crushing her young. In modern practice, infrared lamps or tubes are commonly used in these houses to provide necessary warmth for the piglets.123