Pigs
This section contains a welfare potential matrix of the different production systems for sows and meat pigs, as well as a summary of the key welfare issues for sows and meat pigs, and how to measure welfare outcomes on farm for sows and meat pigs.
There are also resources with detailed information about the different mutilations carried out in meat pigs: Piglet Castration (summary and full information sheet), Tooth reduction (summary and full information sheet), and tail docking and tail biting (summary and full information sheet).
You can also find resources about the two major challenges in the production of sows: Group housing for dry sows (summary and full information sheet) and a practical guide on indoor housing for sows and how to successfully manage the system; Free farrowing (summary and full information sheet) and practical guidance to successfully manage it.
There are also information sheets available about about EU pig meat production and the consumer perception of pig meat production.
Indoor free-farrowing systems for sows - practical options
12/10/2016
A practical guide on free-farrowing systems for sows, outlining examples of alternatives to the farrowing crate, some of which are already in use on commercial farms.
Download: Indoor free-farrowing systems for sows.pdf | Size (1.09MB)-
Welfare Outcome Summary - Sows | 22/03/2016
Welfare outcomes are an animal-based method of assessing factors that contribute to an animal’s quality of welfare. This information sheet provides a selection of the main measures recommended for sows.
Download: Welfare Outcome Summary - Sows.pdf | Size (0.20MB) -
Indoor housing for dry sows - practical options | 01/01/2013
A practical guide on indoor housing systems for sows, outlining examples of well designed and managed group housing systems. It discusses the elements required for good housing, particularly around mixing of sows, and looks at the main systems…
Download: Indoor Housing Systems for Dry Sows – practical options | Size (0.75MB)
