Welfare of entire males and females in organic pig production when reared in single-sex groups

Thomsen, Rikke; Bonde, Marianne; Kongsted, Anne Grete; Rousing, Tine

doi:10.1016/j.livsci.2012.07.003

Cited by 9 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…Nearly 50% more agonistic interactions, including fights, were observed in boars compared to controls (barrows and gilts). In agreement with other studies [15,47,48], but contrary to Thomsen et al [35], this reflects a higher activity and possibly aggressiveness in boars compared to castrates. However, the effect of the season on agonistic interactions (without fighting) was as strong as that of the castration status.…”

Section: Social Interactionssupporting

confidence: 92%

“…The total average of 2.5 agonistic interactions and fights per hour and boar is comparable to the results from other studies under enriched or organic housing conditions, with 1.7 to approx. 4.7 interactions per hour and boar [14,35,36]. The wide range of agonistic interaction levels within and between studies in general, from 1.7 [35] to 19.0 [49] interactions per hour and boar versus 1.0 [14] to 10.8 [16] in barrows or gilts, suggests that other influences may be even more important, although methodical differences between studies will also play a role.…”

Section: Social Interactionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Animal Welfare Consequences of Organic Boar Fattening and Occurrence of Boar Taint on Five Commercial Farms

Lange

Knierim

2021

Animals

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The welfare of male fattening pigs may be improved by refraining from castration, but may be compromised, in turn, by harmful social behaviour in groups of boars. In addition, boar taint may be problematic. This study aimed to evaluate these potential problems in boar fattening under commercial organic conditions. In total, 625 boars were compared with 433 barrows and 83 gilts regarding their social behaviour, lesions and lameness at 80 kg, before and after split marketing. The mixed-model analysis showed that significantly more short agonistic interactions, fights and mounting behaviours were observed in groups of boars. Agonistic interactions were reduced in spring/summer and when boars grew older. Fights and mounts were increased when boars had contact to female pigs in the neighbouring pen. No effect of split marketing, growth rate, homogeneity of groups, group size, feeding space and illumination hours could be detected. Increased interaction frequencies did not result in significantly more skin lesions, lameness, treatments or mortality. Increased space allowance reduced skin lesions. On 9.8% of the dissected boars’ penises, wounds were detected; they were absent on two farms with generous litter provision. Boar taint prevalence, as detected by human nose method, was 1.44%. Under the studied organic husbandry conditions, boar fattening appears to be practicable, although penile injuries should be monitored at slaughter.

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Section: Social Interactionssupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Social Interactionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Animal Welfare Consequences of Organic Boar Fattening and Occurrence of Boar Taint on Five Commercial Farms

Lange

Knierim

2021

Animals

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“…However the prevalence of lameness (gait score 2–3: 13 %) and gait remarks (score 1–3: 22 %) at 26 weeks in the free-range pigs is similar to that of finishers reported to have “problems in the locomotor apparatus” (10–15 %) in a Swiss survey of 116 organic pig farms [ 39 ], and the lameness prevalence (21 %) reported in nearly 700 Swedish free-ranging organic finishers [ 40 ]. Nevertheless, reports of the prevalence of lameness vary widely (1.6–21 %) at the end of the finisher period in free-ranging fatteners housed in organic/“animal friendly” systems with outdoor access [ 11 , 12 , 39 – 42 ]. Three of these studies also examined both confined and free-range fatteners and, consistent with our results, none of them found significant differences in prevalence of lameness between pigs in confined and free-range housing.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Osteochondrosis, but not lameness, is more frequent among free-range pigs than confined herd-mates

et al. 2015

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BackgroundOrganic pig production is expanding and amongst the objectives of organic farming are enhancing animal health and welfare. However, some studies have reported a higher prevalence of lameness and joint condemnation at slaughter in free-range/organic pigs than in conventionally raised pigs. Organic slaughter pigs have free-range housing in which indoor and outdoor access is compulsory, while in conventional farming the pigs are commonly confined to indoor pens. The present study evaluated the effects of free-range and confined housing on lameness prevalence in a herd of 106 finisher pigs, and whether osteochondrosis and Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae associated arthritis influences these effects. We also evaluated the association between clinical lameness during the rearing period and joint condemnations at slaughter.ResultsSeventy free-range and 36 confined housed fattener pigs were scored for their gait twice during the rearing period and 848 joints were evaluated post mortem. Osteochondrosis was more frequent among free-range than confined pigs (P < 0.05), and when present it was also more severe (P < 0.001). Pigs with more numerous and more severe osteochondral lesions had their gait affected more than did pigs with fewer such lesions (P < 0.05). Hence it was a paradox that we did not detect more lameness among the free-range pigs than the confined pigs. E. rhusiopathiae associated arthritis was not diagnosed. The association between gait remarks/clinical lameness and joint condemnations at slaughter was not significant.ConclusionsThe results indicate that free-range housing may have both positive and negative effects on locomotory traits. Free-range pigs may be less clinically affected by osteochondrosis than are confined pigs. One explanation for this effect may be strengthening of joint supportive tissue and pain relief promoted by exercise. Visual gait scoring missed serious joint lesions that probably were harmful to the pigs, and should therefore not be used as a sole indicator of joint/leg health in welfare inspection of pigs. The association between gait scores and joint condemnation appeared to be poor. This study was limited to one herd, and so more and larger studies on the effects of free-range housing on lameness severity and osteochondrosis development in pigs are recommended.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13028-015-0154-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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“…Aggression leads to skin damage and other physiological stress reactions (Coutellier et al, 2007), which indicates that, even though aggression is a normal behavior in pigs, it is still stressful, especially repeated aggression among the lower ranking animals. Particularly, in groups of entire males increased mounting behavior is observed (Thomsen, Bonde, Kongsted, & Rousing, 2012). Repeated introduction into novel environments and repeated regrouping may also affect resting behavior.…”

Section: The Pick-up Facilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Welfare measurements of finishing pigs on the day of slaughter: A review

Brandt

Aaslyng

2015

Meat Science

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Welfare of entire males and females in organic pig production when reared in single-sex groups

Cited by 9 publications

References 33 publications

Animal Welfare Consequences of Organic Boar Fattening and Occurrence of Boar Taint on Five Commercial Farms

Animal Welfare Consequences of Organic Boar Fattening and Occurrence of Boar Taint on Five Commercial Farms

Osteochondrosis, but not lameness, is more frequent among free-range pigs than confined herd-mates

Welfare measurements of finishing pigs on the day of slaughter: A review

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