This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the late introduction to farrowing pens on the progress of farrowing and maternal behaviour. It was concluded that when sows and gilts were intoduced late, neither progress of farrowing or maternal behavour for piglet crushing was influenced. However, crating of primiparous sows that were introduced late to the farrowing environment led to detrimental effects on the progress of farrowing and the percentage of stillborn piglets as compared to pigs housed in a pen.