The three mixing strategies included: Early mixing (EM) - sows mixed directly at weaning; Presocialisation (PS) - sows mixed for two days at weaning, then stall housed for breeding and until five weeks gestation, then remixed; and Late mixing (LM) - sows stall-housed at weaning and mixed into groups at five weeks gestation.

Results show no differences in the aggressive behaviour among treatments.

Analysis of production showed a lower conception rate in LM groups than in EM and PS groups P<0.05.

There were no differences in total born, piglets born alive or mummies among treatments, but a there were significantly fewer stillborn piglets in the EM treatment.

Fewer stillborn piglets may have resulted from improved fitness and/or activity levels during early gestation.

Overall, sows performed similarly in all treatments indicating that, under good management conditions, mixing sows at weaning does not impact sow performance or welfare.