The welfare of growing pigs in five different production systems: assessment of feeding and housing
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Publication date
2011-10-10ISSN
1751-7311
Abstract
Ninety-one farms were visited over a 2-year period to assess the welfare of growing pigs in five different production systems found
either in France or in Spain using the Welfare Quality R protocol. This study focused on animal-based measures as indicators of ‘good
feeding’ and ‘good housing’. Multiple Generalized Linear Mixed Models were performed for each measure to evaluate the differences
between production systems and to detect possible causal factors. Pigs in the conventional system presented the lowest prevalence of
poor body condition, whereas extensive Mallorcan Black pigs and extensive Iberian pigs were associated with a decreased prevalence of
bursitis and pig dirtiness. The straw-bedded system presented a lower prevalence of bursitis, but poorer hygiene and more susceptibility
of poor body condition than the conventional system. The age of the animals had a significant effect on the appearance of bursitis in the
three intensive systems studied. The type of floor was a significant causal factor of bursitis and pig dirtiness in the conventional system
and among intensive Iberian pigs. The feeding system was another causal factor of pig dirtiness on more than 50% of the body in the
conventional system, whereas pig dirtiness on less than 50% of the body was influenced by the age of the animals. The prevalence
of huddling animals in the conventional system was associated with the highest stocking densities and the lowest environmental
temperatures. The results indicate that there were important differences between production systems based on animal-based indicators
of the good feeding and housing principles. The recording of the age of the animals, type of floor, feeding system, stocking density and
environmental temperature can be useful to predict the appearance of a given welfare measure of ‘good housing’ on a farm.
Document Type
Article
Document version
Published version
Language
English
Subject (CDU)
636 - Animal husbandry and breeding in general. Livestock rearing. Breeding of domestic animals
Pages
12
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Is part of
Animal
Citation
Temple, D., V. Courboulay, X. Manteca, A. Velarde, and A. Dalmau. 2012. “The Welfare of Growing Pigs in Five Different Production Systems: Assessment of Feeding and Housing.” Animal 6 (4): 656–667. doi: 10.1017/s1751731111001868
Grant agreement number
EC/FP6/506508/EU/Integration of animal welfare in the food quality chain: from public concern to improved welfare and transparent quality/WELFARE QUALITY
Program
Benestar Animal
This item appears in the following Collection(s)
- ARTICLES CIENTÍFICS [2802]
Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/