Confinement farrowing facilities are commonly used in North America. They can reduce neonatal piglet mortality, improve tractability of sows and piglets, and provide consistent year round environmental conditions. Alternatively, outdoor farrowing may allow expansion of production facilities without significant capital investment and may alleviate the animal welfare concerns associated with confinement farrowing. Sows were farrowed in either conventional facilities or in outdoor lots containing farrowing huts at the Berea College Farm to determine the viability of expanding production with outdoor farrowing lots. Sows were moved to the facilities two weeks before the expected farrowing date and remained there with their litters until weaning at four weeks postpartum. Sow behavior, piglet viability, neonatal mortality, and labor inputs were compared between groups. During the first 24 hours postpartum, a higher proportion of piglets (26.2%) were crushed by sows in outside lots compared to those crushed in confinement facilities (5.7 %). Sow and piglet tractability was greatly reduced. Time spent apprehending piglets in outside lots for routine handling and working was significantly increased. Husbandman safety was also compromised in outdoor facilities. Further research should explore alternative designs for outdoor facilities to decrease peripartal piglet mortality and improve animal tractability. Finally, genetic selection for sow temperament should also be considered when farrowing outdoors.

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