Document type: Article published on The Pig Site
Preview: A new report authored by World Animal Protection states that pig producers who switched to cage-free farrowing systems are seeing production benefits.Farmers are moving away from caging mother pigs around the world and seeing benefits including fitter, healthier animals with better welfare that produce more milk for their piglets according to the report 'Farming pigs and future proofing for a crate-free era' by World Animal Protection.
Other benefits of cage free systems the report found include
- Some farmers noticed that mother pigs experienced fewer leg problems and illness
- Some saw mother pigs showing improved natural mothering skills
- Mother pigs often produced more milk, making the piglets healthier, happier and grow faster
- As birthing is easier many also saw mother pigs with fewer post-birth infections, and less antibiotic use, which helps reduce the impact of pig farming on antimicrobial resistance
- Farmers also noticed mother pigs responding better to their human carers too as they can turn around and approach them for a "nice" scratch behind the ears
200,000 mother pigs are farrow in cages on UK farms, unable to teach their young how to socialise with other pigs and encourage them to try and eat solid foods. They are also unable to build nests or make themselves comfortable in these systems.
