Document type: Article published in Réussir Porc
Author: Annouck Lemistre
Preview: Stress has many consequences for farm animals when it is poorly managed. It is therefore necessary to do everything possible to keep it to a minimum, not just to improve the welfare of the animals but also to make it easier and safer for humans to go about their daily tasks.. To convey the nature of stressful situations, we use two commonly found examples in farming: the of grouping sows and the moving of pigs.
Limiting hierarchical stress during sow grouping
Pigs are gregarious and hierarchical animals. After the period spent in the farrowing pen, the sows will establish a hierarchy during the grouping phase, which lasts about 48 hours and during which a number of confrontations will take place. While such tensions between the animals are natural, in order to limit their negative consequences (lameness, scratching, impact on general condition, etc.), it is important for everything possible to be done to reduce them.
- The feed ration should not be reduced at the time of grouping. On the contrary, increasing the ration by about 10% for 3 days will avoid stressful competition for food within the hierarchy and will help the sows to feel sated. This helps to calm the sows: they will rest and compete less with other sows. Continuous access to water is also important in order to meet the variability of individual needs.
- A well-organised living environment will also help to keep fighting to a minimum (well-separated living areas, clearly-delimited rest areas and many partitions). Indeed, sows habitually lie against partitions and walls, considering such areas to be "refuges". Enriching the living environment also allows pigs' natural needs to be satisfied as they explore their environment both in search of food and out of curiosity. This occupies the sows and makes them less aggressive towards each other.
- Establishing stable groups of equal size is essential: the young and the smallest animals are separated from the largest, which are often multiparous. Indeed, the hierarchy is established in most cases on the basis of strength. A stable hierarchy needs to be established very quickly. To achieve this, where fighting is too extensive and puts the general condition of certain animals at risk, it is preferable to remove the less dominant animals. If the most dominant are removed from the group, the hierarchy must be re-established and the conflicts start again.
- Use of repellents or pheromone sprays can be used as a last resort. The sow releases a maternal substance known as a pheromone at farrowing that sends a soothing message to the piglets. The use of these pheromones at times of stress, such as when sows are grouped together, helps to calm the sows and limit their nervousness. For example, Secure Pig Flash should be sprayed on the neck of each sow 4 to 5 hours before grouping. As with repellents, it must be applied frequently. For Secure Pig Flash, it is advisable to repeat the application 5 days after grouping.
Keep pigs calm during transfers
Moving pigs around is a common activity on farms and can be time-consuming and stressful for both pigs and handlers if the process does not go as planned. Following good practice reduces working time, improves work quality and reduces stress for both animals and handlers.
To facilitate this step, a number of tips can be important.
- Pigs are sociable animals and do not like to be alone. It is therefore preferable to move them in small groups.
- Pigs are also curious and neophobic (they are afraid of new things). It is therefore important to ensure that there are no objects or obstacles in the corridor that could disturb, worry or arouse the curiosity of animals being moved. It is also preferable to get them used to human contact by building a relationship of trust with them. Regularly walking calmly into the pens will accustom them to your presence and reduce the flight zone.
- Pigs are very sensitive to changes in their environment: draughts, temperature differences, sudden noises, changes in the ground underfoot, etc. They are attracted to light, unless it is dazzling. They also have poor visual acuity. A pig's field of vision is wide (310°) but its binocular vision is only 50°. It's centre of gravity is at shoulder level. In light of these factors, handlers should position themselves behind the centre of gravity but not in the animal's blind spot so as not to frighten it.
- It is important to use equipment that doesn't hurt the pig or generate distress. Using a board and a sorting paddle with a rattle can generate auditory and visual stimuli, while the electric prod should be avoided. The handler should be calm, avoid shouting, and move at the pace of the animals.
