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Effects of fattening boars in mixed or single sex groups and split marketing on pig welfare

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 January 2023

LA Boyle  and
L Björklund
LA Boyle*
Affiliation:
Pig Development Unit, Teagasc, Moorepark Research Centre, Fermoy, County Cork, Ireland
L Björklund
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, IFM, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
*
* Contact for correspondence and requests for reprints: laura.boyle@teagasc.ie
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Abstract

Our aim was to evaluate the effects of single or mixed sex fattening of boars and split marketing (SM) on pig welfare. Female (n = 10), male (n = 10) and mixed sex (n = 10) groups were fattened to 105 kg. Two focal pigs per pen were selected for continuous behaviour observations and skin lesion inspections. Aggressive and sexual behaviours were recorded during feeding. One week prior to slaughter the three heaviest pigs in half of the pens were marketed. There was more sexual behaviour in mixed and male groups. However, there was less agonistic behaviour in mixed and female compared to male groups. SM male groups tended to have higher lesion scores than non-SM male groups. There was more mounting in non-SM mixed groups than in both SM and non-SM female groups. The welfare of boars was improved in mixed sex groups but females fared better in single sex groups. Split marketing reduced the welfare of pigs in male groups but improved pig welfare in mixed groups.

Keywords

animal welfarebehaviourboarshousingpigssplit-marketing
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Welfare , Volume 16 , Issue 2: Special Issue: Proceedings of the 3rd International Workshop on the Assessment of Animal Welfare at Farm and Group Level , May 2007 , pp. 259 - 262
Copyright
© 2007 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

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