Document type : article from the Pig Progress website
Author: Monique Pairis-Garcia
Preview: Covid-19 has been causing a shortage of capacity in slaughter plants in the United States, which in turn leads to fuller pig houses than normal. With chaos looming, health and welfare expert Dr Monique Pairis-Garcia presents some do's and dont's on what pork producers can do to relieve the stress in crowded pig houses. […]
As pen space decreases and pig weight increases, appropriate, quiet and gentle handling must be implemented to prevent injuries and decrease excitement and stress within the group. […]
When pigs need to be moved, appropriate handling devices such as sort boards or v-boards should be used. […]
Tail biting is abnormal behaviour most commonly occurring in the finisher phase of production. […]
Given heavy pigs will likely remain in the pen for longer, producers can improve environmental complexity of the pen with the hopes to redirect biting behaviour onto environmental enrichment. Enrichment items should have the following characteristics: Item can be manipulated and chewed on by pig; item can be destroyed; and Item can eventually consumed. […]
Lack of space can result in an increase in aggressive behaviours as pigs compete for critical resources. […]
Producers should focus on identifying compromised pigs that do not have the weight or ability to compete with pen mates and remove them to hospital or recovery pens. Identifying poor-doing animals earlier on will not only help in freeing up pen space but will also provide additional resources and reduced competition for pigs that may have underlying challenges or disease.
