Table 2.

Vitality scoring system used for piglets at birth (Schmitt et al. 2019; Rooney et al. 2020)

Vitality indicators	Vitality score
	0	1
Reaction to handling - Vocalisation & escape	Piglet does not scream during handling, or piglet does not attempt to escape during handling	Piglet screams, or piglet attempts to escape
Muscle tone	Leg muscles are soft when pressed against handler’s palm	Leg muscles are firm and piglet pushes back against handler’s palm
Initial position on return to the farrowing pen	Piglet is on its back or lies on its side without trying to right itself (for > 20 s)	Piglet is immediately up on its four legs and moves away (within 20 s)