Document type : review article published by EURCAW-Pigs
Authors: Antje Schubbert, Hans A.M. Spoolder, Lene J. Pedersen
Preview: Council Directive 2008/120/EC of 18 December 2008 laying down minimum standards for the protection of pigs states that pregnant sows must be housed in groups from four weeks after service until one week before the expected time of farrowing. This review first describesthe species-specific social, feeding and exploratory behaviour of sows during pregnancy and their behavioural and physical needs for climate and resting comfort.The change from confinement into group-housing systems for pregnant sows is briefly addressed.By addressing the specific needs, four focusareas relevant for sow welfare,and accordingly relevant for inspections,were identified and highlighted: (1) mixing ofunfamiliar pigs, (2) competition for limited resources, (3) restrictive feeding and (4) climate and resting comfort. Mixing of unfamiliar pigs leads to agonistic behaviour to establish social relationships; the impact of mixing time, group management and space allowance on welfare aspects such as stress and healthis described. Living in groups is associated with competition for limited resources, especially for food. The level of aggression related to this competitiondepends on the way food is delivered. The lack of satiety due to restrictivefeedingof pregnant sows is a main welfare issuethat may lead to "distress" and the development of stereotypies. Finally, it is also important to focus on climate and resting comfort, in particular on heat stressin pregnant sows and the importance to lose heat during high ambient temperatures (and humidity). The contraindication of losing heat on floors and the adverse effect of prolonged lying times on hard floors on sow's welfareis also discussed. For each of these focus areas, the review suggests animal-based indicators thatinspectors can useto monitor the welfare of group-housed sows. Furthermore, suggestions for improving the welfare situation of group-housed sowsare given: minimizing aggression during mixing or in competition for resources, supply of dietary fibre (diets) or roughage to satiate sows, and cooling strategies for group-housed sows, which can be combined with comfortable resting areas. The review concludes with citing the legal requirements relevant to the focus areas.
Review discussed in a news item on the EURCAW-Pigs website on January 28, 2021: Indicators to monitor the welfare of group-housed sows
Preview: Council Directive 2008/120/EC of 18 December 2008 laying down minimum standards for the protection of pigs states that pregnant sows must be housed in groups from four weeks after service until one week before the expected time of farrowing. This review first describesthe species-specific social, feeding and exploratory behaviour of sows during pregnancy and their behavioural and physical needs for climate and resting comfort.The change from confinement into group-housing systems for pregnant sows is briefly addressed.By addressing the specific needs, four focusareas relevant for sow welfare,and accordingly relevant for inspections,were identified and highlighted: (1) mixing ofunfamiliar pigs, (2) competition for limited resources, (3) restrictive feeding and (4) climate and resting comfort. Mixing of unfamiliar pigs leads to agonistic behaviour to establish social relationships; the impact of mixing time, group management and space allowance on welfare aspects such as stress and healthis described. Living in groups is associated with competition for limited resources, especially for food. The level of aggression related to this competitiondepends on the way food is delivered. The lack of satiety due to restrictivefeedingof pregnant sows is a main welfare issuethat may lead to "distress" and the development of stereotypies. Finally, it is also important to focus on climate and resting comfort, in particular on heat stressin pregnant sows and the importance to lose heat during high ambient temperatures (and humidity). The contraindication of losing heat on floors and the adverse effect of prolonged lying times on hard floors on sow's welfareis also discussed. For each of these focus areas, the review suggests animal-based indicators thatinspectors can useto monitor the welfare of group-housed sows. Furthermore, suggestions for improving the welfare situation of group-housed sowsare given: minimizing aggression during mixing or in competition for resources, supply of dietary fibre (diets) or roughage to satiate sows, and cooling strategies for group-housed sows, which can be combined with comfortable resting areas. The review concludes with citing the legal requirements relevant to the focus areas.
Review reported in a news item on the EURCAW-Pigs website on January 28, 2021: Indicators to monitor the welfare of group-housed sows
