Swine welfare: what is the ideal environment to prevent animal stress?

Contrary to what many might think, providing adequate food alone is not enough for swine to live well.

Just like other production animals, they need to be in environments suitable for their species, resulting in less stress for the animals and increased productivity for the farm.

In Asia, reports from the Asia for Animals Coalition have shown that many countries face significant challenges regarding swine welfare.

In places like China and Vietnam, the use of gestation crates, which limit the animals’ movement, contributes to high levels of stress and health issues, such as injuries and metabolic diseases.

Moreover, the lack of proper ventilation and climate control in farms located in regions with extreme weather exacerbates thermal stress in swine, negatively impacting their health and productivity.

While there have been advancements in raising awareness about animal welfare, only a small fraction of operations in Asia have obtained welfare certifications, such as Certified Humane. To learn more about certification in Asia, visit Certified Humane Asia.

It doesn’t matter if the farm operates in an indoor or outdoor environment: in both cases, there are quality standards that must be followed to ensure swine welfare.

Raising swine in inadequate environments leads to a series of negative consequences: when they are forced to live in confined spaces, with poor ventilation and under extreme weather conditions, swine become stressed and suffer metabolic changes, which can affect the appearance of the meat and the quality of the final product.

Raising swine with proper care and in a suitable environment facilitates management and reduces operational costs.

Specific requirements

In addition to fundamental activities such as feeding, management, and farm administration, the environment in which swine are raised must be carefully designed to ensure comfort and tranquility throughout all stages of production.

This includes providing each type of swine—adults, females, and piglets—with an environment that meets their specific needs.

For instance, sows in labor require a birthing environment with straw bedding, materials for nest-building, and a resting area large enough for them to move freely. Crates are strictly prohibited.

The specific requirements for piglets dictate, based on a pre-established chart, the size of the resting area and the minimum total area for each growing pig. These areas must increase in size as the swine grow and gain weight.

In general, all swine need environments free from discomfort, stress, or risk of injury; this means no toxic materials, painted surfaces, or disinfectants; the environments must have proper ventilation, a comfortable temperature, and sufficient bedding for all animals.

The rules and measures necessary to meet the specific environmental requirements for swine farming—as well as those for other species of production animals—are described in the Certified Humane animal welfare program’s guidelines and reference standards. For more details, visit Certified Humane Asia.

Herd health

The health and welfare of swine are ensured by a set of treatment standards that include:

• Suitable environments to meet specific requirements;
• Nutrition with a well-crafted diet and fresh water;
• Calm and firm handling of the herd;
• Responsible and rigorous management of the farm.

It is essential that every swine farm has a written Animal Health Plan (PSA) regularly updated by a veterinarian. The PSA details vaccination, health treatments, causes of mortality, and more. Additionally, all sudden deaths must be recorded, reported, and investigated.

The swine herd should be constantly monitored for signs of diseases and other potential disruptions in production. Appropriate environments must be available to separate and immediately treat sick and injured swine from the rest of the herd.

The farm must also be prepared, if necessary, to humanely slaughter or immediately euthanize sick or injured swine, performed on-site by a trained staff member or veterinarian.

There are also rules for mandatory quarantine of swine brought from other sources and for the disposal of deceased swine carcasses.

By respecting and fulfilling all conditions that create the ideal environment to prevent animal stress and ensure swine welfare, the products from this farming process become eligible to receive the Certified Humane animal welfare certification, gaining the trust of both the market and consumers.

→ Learn everything about animal welfare certification!

Published on September 7, 2024