Original scientific paper

Welfare assessment of pigs housed in two fattening systems

Sandro Korent ; Bioinstitut d.o.o., Čakovec, Hrvatska
Mario Ostović orcid.org/0000-0002-0253-0000 ; Veterinarski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Anamaria Ekert Kabalin ; Veterinarski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska

Abstract

In addition to ensuring optimum production results, modern pig production also focuses on animal welfare protection, whereby pig productivity and welfare levels achieved may vary depending on the production system. This paper presents the results of welfare assessment of pigs kept in different fattening systems. The study was conducted at two family farms in Croatia. At farm A (capacity of 700 pigs) animals are housed on a semi-slatted floor, while at farm B (capacity of 300 pigs), pigs are kept on a solid floor bedded and cleaned daily. Pig welfare was assessed using the Welfare Quality® assessment protocol that addresses animal feeding, housing, health and behaviour. Regarding the overall welfare level, no differences were found between the farms and both farms were assigned to the category “Acceptable”. By observing the principle- scores and criterion-scores, the farms differed in the principles Good feeding (where farm B obtained a lower score due to lower score of the criterion Absence of prolonged thirst) and Appropriate behaviour (where farm B obtained a higher score primarily due to the higher scores of the criteria Expression of social behaviours and Positive emotional state). It can be concluded that different fattening systems may result in similar pig welfare levels. Additionally, the study results suggest that differences in the production system should not be based only on animal housing, but on overall farm management.

Keywords

fattening pigs; production system; welfare assessment; Welfare Quality®

Hrčak ID:

223819

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/223819

Publication date:

25.3.2019.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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