Drinker position influences the cleanness of the lying area of pigs in a welfare-friendly housing facility

The Effects of Pen Size and Design, Bedding, Rooting Material and Ambient Factors on Pen and Pig Cleanliness and Air Quality in Fattening Pig Houses

There are several environmental and ambient factors that can affect pig eliminative behaviour. The aim of this survey was to investigate factors related to the physical and ambient environment that have the strongest effects on pig and pen cleanliness and ammonia concentration. Data were collected from 87 pig farms and analysed using mixed (ammonia concentration) or generalized linear (pen and pig cleanliness) model in SAS. The pen was cleaner when pen partitions were open compared to closed (p = 0.010) and increased with increasing amount of litter (p = 0.002), using straw (p = 0.002) as rooting material. Pig cleanliness was higher when pen partitions in the eliminative area were open compared to closed (p = 0.007) and increased with increasing space per pig in the resting area (p < 0.001), with decreasing temperature (p < 0.001), and lowering of air velocity (p = 0.003). Other factors that increased cleanliness was using straw as rooting material (p = 0.028) and increasing amount of litter in the resting area (p = 0.002). Ammonia concentration was reduced with increasing floor space in the eliminative area (p < 0.001) and increasing amount of litter (p = 0.006). Our results pinpoint physical and ambient conditions affecting pen and pig cleanliness and air quality.

Soiling of Pig Pens: A Review of Eliminative Behaviour

Simple Summary

The soiling of pig pens has important negative consequences in terms of animal welfare, health, workload, and environmental emissions of pig farming. The aim of this review is to present the state-of-the-art regarding pigs’ normal eliminatory behaviour (i.e., defaecation and urination) and pen soiling, aimed here at solving pen-soiling problems in existing systems, and in a following publication aimed at the design of a more sustainable pig-farming system. To this end, we summarize a large body of literature on pen soiling and pigs’ eliminative behaviour in different farming systems. We propose a “disease framework” interpretation of pen soiling, to help identify its causes, underlying mechanisms, and solutions.

Abstract

This is a comprehensive review on the pigs’ normal eliminatory behaviour (i.e., defaecation and urination) and pen soiling. This review is aimed primarily at solving issues with pen soiling in current systems, and ultimately at the future design of a well-functioning pig toilet, which we intend to elaborate on in a subsequent publication. In this paper, first, normal elimination is described in relation to what is known about its phylogeny, ontogeny, causation, and function, i.e., according to Tinbergen’s four why questions concerning animal behaviour. Then, pen soiling is described as if it were a medical disorder, highlighting its importance, aetiology, symptoms, diagnosis, pathogenesis, treatment, and prevention. Due to its negative consequences in terms of animal welfare, health, workload, and environmental emissions, possible methods to address pen soiling in current systems are described. Probably, pigs do not choose a specific place to eliminate but rather choose the most comfortable place for resting, and avoid eliminating there. We identified four main strategies to reduce pen soiling: (1) reducing the suitability of the designated elimination area to be used for other functions, especially resting or thermoregulation; (2) improving the suitability of other functional areas in the pen to be used for their specific function, such as resting and activity; (3) reducing the suitability of other functional areas to be used for elimination; and (4) improving the suitability of the elimination area for elimination. These prevention strategies and the encompassing disease framework provide a structured approach to deal with pen soiling in existing systems and to support the future design, development, and implementation of a well-functioning pig toilet that can help to achieve some of the main goals of modern pig production, namely reducing environmental emissions as well as substantially improving pig welfare.

Assessment of autoflush machine for cleaning of toilet area/elimination area in weaner pen

An attempt was made to develop auto-flush machine for cleaning of toilet area/elimination area. To study the auto-flush system, a total of 10 weaners were divided into two groups (having 5 each), viz. G1 (weaners kept in a modified intensive pen with auto flush system) and G2 (weaners in intensive pen without auto-flush). The defecation pattern/trend was observed 24 h consecutively for 5 days. Each weaner defecated 8.40±0.23 and 8.92±0.13 times per day in G1 and G2 respectively. The auto-flush was assessed indirectly based on parameters like hygiene score of floor, hygiene score of animals, amount of water consumed and manpower required for cleaning of pen in 5 days. Hygiene score of floor was higher in G1 (143±0.63) compare to G2 (112.2±1.7). Hygiene score of animals was higher in G1 (5) compared to G2 (2.6). Water consumed for cleaning was lower in G1 (162.8±9.06 litres) than G2 (212±1.4 liters). Manpower requirement in G1 (7.85±0.24 sec) was lower than G2 (175.48±2.11 sec). It can be concluded that all weaners used the elimination area for defecation in G1. The auto-flush system helped in saving water, labour time and maintained the cleanliness of both floor and animal.