Significant variation in the management of cull sows before transport for slaughter: results from a survey of Danish pig farmers

Abstract

BackgroundApproximately 50% of sows are slaughtered each year, but management of cull sows is not well described.MethodsWe aimed to describe how cull sows are sent to slaughter using a questionnaire survey emailed to 885 Danish pig farmers, including questions about the use of pick-up facilities (either a designated pen used for reasons of biosecurity and practicality, in a special part of the barn, where pigs are kept in the last hours before being loaded onto a commercial truck, or a stationary vehicle kept outside the buildings and used for the same purpose) and evaluation of fitness for transport.ResultsA total of 360 farmers answered all questions, constituting a homogeneous group of middle-aged, experienced males. The management of the sows seemed rather variable, for example regarding choice of pick-up facility, its available resources, actions taken when sows were not fit for transport and sow conditions leading to doubt about fitness for transport. Special condition transport was only reported rarely, and rejection of sows due to lack of fitness for transport, by drivers or veterinarians at the slaughterhouse, was only rarely experienced.ConclusionThese findings may be used for formulation of hypotheses for future studies in this area characterised by welfare challenges, potentially leading to science-based recommendations relevant for animal welfare, productivity and biosecurity.

Experiences and opinions of Danish livestock drivers transporting sows regarding fitness for transport and management choices relevant for animal welfare

“…He argues that effectiveness of driver-initiated initiatives, to avoid additional suffering likely to be associated with transport of a compromised animal are questionable, and that there are different views about the types of conditions that constitute a compromised animal. In our recent survey among farmers delivering sows to the same slaughterhouse as in the present study ( Herskin et al, 2020 ), the reported use of the special condition transport was even lower than in the present one. Only 8% of 360 farmers stated that their sows were transported under special conditions more than once per year.…”

“…Looking at the answers to several of the questions involved in the present survey (mentioned at least once as part of the answers to questions number 8, 14, 16, 18, and 20), it was clear that the drivers did consider hot weather a challenge to the welfare of the sows during transportation. In contrast to this, only 5% of the farmers chose “large influence,” when asked about the weather as a challenge for the sows, and 81% chose “no” or “slight” influence ( Herskin et al, 2020 ). The reasons for this difference are at present unclear, but may relate to the fact that drivers follow the sows on the journey and upon arrival, whereas farmers do not.…”

“…Despite this practice, the potential for on-going milk production, as well as the accumulation of milk in the udder, does not seem to have been discussed before in the context of limiting fitness for transport in sows. In accordance with this, none of the 360 sow farmers who answered questions about sow transportation in the recent survey by Herskin et al (2020 ), chose “on-going lactation” as a cause of doubt regarding fitness for transport. The findings of the present study suggest that at least some of the livestock drivers did consider this clinical condition a challenge for the sows during transportation.…”

“…One example of large differences in the answers from farmers ( Herskin et al, 2020 ) and livestock drivers concerns the risk of heat stress for sows during transportation. Looking at the answers to several of the questions involved in the present survey (mentioned at least once as part of the answers to questions number 8, 14, 16, 18, and 20), it was clear that the drivers did consider hot weather a challenge to the welfare of the sows during transportation.…”

“…However, Herskin et al (2017) reported results from a questionnaire survey among Danish livestock drivers transporting cull dairy cows, showing that 35% of the respondents reported to be in doubt about fitness for transport. Similarly, in a recent questionnaire survey, Danish sow herd owners reported doubt about fitness of cull sows as well ( Herskin et al, 2020 ). In addition, Dahl-Pedersen et al (2018) showed relatively low agreement in the assessment of fitness for transport of cull dairy cows between veterinarians, farmers, and livestock drivers.…”