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A comparison of methods of specifying stocking density for welfare and performance of finishing pigs on different floor types

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 November 2021

H.A.M. Spoolder ,
S. Corning  and
S.A. Edwards
H.A.M. Spoolder
Affiliation:
ADAS Terrington, Terrington St. Clement, King's Lynn, PE34 4PW, UK
S. Corning
Affiliation:
ADAS Terrington, Terrington St. Clement, King's Lynn, PE34 4PW, UK
S.A. Edwards
Affiliation:
SAC, Craibstone Estate, Bucksbum, Aberdeen, AB2 9YA, UK
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Extract

The Welfare of Livestock Regulations 1994 specify a system of increasing space allowance for finishing pigs based on a series of weight bands (Figure 1). The width of the bands in the regulations, especially at the higher weights, impose a certain degree of inflexibility on the management of finishing pig accommodation. An alternative approach to specifying space allowance is to relate it to average pig live weight at any given time using an allometric equation (Petherick and Baxter, 1981). Based on this, Edwards et al. (1988) proposed A(m2)=0.030*M0.67(kg), to optimise performance on slats. The present study compares space allowance increments following this equation with the bands of the regulations, and its interactive effects with floor type and bedding on the welfare of finishing pigs.

Type
Programme
Information
Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science , Volume 1997 , 1997 , pp. 43
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1997

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References

Edwards, S.A., Armsby, A.W. and Spechter, H.H., 1988. Effects of floor area allowance on performance of growing pigs kept on fully slatted floors. Animal Production, 46: 453–459.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Petherick, J.C. and Baxter, S.H., 1981. Modelling the static spatial requirement of livestock. In: Modelling, design and evaluation of agricultural buildings. MacCormack, J.A.D.. Scottish Farm Buildings Unit, Aberdeen.Google Scholar