Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Skin lesions are a common problem within group-housed gilts and sows. Since 2013, all EU member states are required to ensure that all gilts and sows are kept in group housing. Pigs used in production in Sweden today originate from the wild boar. Wild boars and production pigs still share many traits. Agonistic behaviour includes both aggressive and submissive behaviours. Aggressive behaviour between pigs often leads to skin lesions. Reducing agonistic behaviour in pig production is a challenge but, if successful, it will improve animal health, welfare, and production. Welfare assessment and benchmarking of pig production are important tools to ensure the health and welfare of the animals. The purpose of this bachelor thesis is to determine the variation of skin lesions in group-housed gilts and sows in conventional pig production in Sweden. This thesis aims to determine in what regard skin lesion differences exist with respect to different farms, differences between gilts and sows, and differences between pigs in new and old group constellations. Data used in this thesis, was collected within the research project “Ask the sow”. The data covered skin lesions, lameness, dirtiness, age, and time since a new group constellation was made. The data were processed statistically. Skin lesions were registered from 575 different pigs. There were statistically significant differences in skin lesions between different farms. Sows had significantly more skin lesions than gilts. Pigs in new group constellations had significantly more skin lesions than pigs in old group constellations. Furthermore, pigs had more skin lesions on the front part of their body within all groups assessed. The variation in skin lesions between farms is assumed to depend on the physical differences in space and environment on the different farms. The fact that sows had more skin lesions than gilts is assumed to be due to the sows’ strong need to establish a clear hierarchy. The fact that pigs fought more in new group constellations agrees with previous research and is assumed to be due to the pigs' need to establish a new hierarchy. The purpose of this bachelor thesis was to determine the variation of skin lesions in group-housed gilts and sows in conventional pig production in Sweden. Group housing of gilts and sows, and different methods for measuring their welfare are very relevant from several perspectives, including societal, sustainability, and ethical perspectives.