Welfare of Pigs is intended to be a reference text that covers all aspects of pig production, on the basis of scientific results.

Welfare of Pigs provides an in-depth review and empirical assessment of pig production concepts, knowledge and techniques in use today.

Contents

Welfare Concepts

• Welfare Definitions
• Welfare and Needs
• Welfare and Feelings
• Welfare and Stress
• Welfare and Health
• Welfare and Pain
• Welfare Concepts in Relation to Assessment

Assessment of Pig Welfare

• Neuroendocrine Systems
• Behaviour
• Production and Pathology

The Welfare of Pregnant and Lactating Sows

• Hunger and Thirst
• Discomfort
• Pain and Injuries
• Behavioural Needs
• Fear, Stress and Suffering

The Welfare of Piglets

• Comfort and Housing Requirements
• Nutrition and Welfare
• Viability and Health
• Behavioural Needs
• Fear, Stress and Suffering

The Welfare of Growing-Finishing Pigs

• Welfare of the Recently Weaned and Nursery Pig
• Main Grow-Finish Period
• Housing and Environmental Effects on Welfare and Meat Quality of the G-F Pig
• Research Opportunities to Improve Grow-Finisher Pig Welfare

The Welfare of Pigs During Transport

• Loading Density
• Transport Distance and Duration
• Vehicle Design
• Non-Ambulatory Animals or Those Otherwise Unfit for Transport

Effects of Preslaughter Handling on Stress Response and Meat Quality in Pigs

• Critical Points Within the Pre-Slaughter Period

Welfare of Pigs During Stunning and Slaughter

• Handling During Stunning
• Stunning Methods
• Killing of Pigs on the Farms During Disease Outbreaks

Breeding Pigs for Improved Welfare

• Genetics and Animal Breeding
• Pig Breeding Today
• Direct Influence of Breeding Procedures on Welfare
• Heterosis Improves Piglet Vitality
• Selection For Increased Litter Size Requires Selection for Piglet Survival
• Maternal Behaviour and Fear
• The Sow's Ability to Produce Milk and to Use Body Reserves
• Relations Between Growth, Leanness, Feed Conversion and Welfare
• Leg Weakness and Longevity
• Selection Against or for Extreme Stress Sensitivity?
• Selection for Improved Resistance to Micro-Organisms
• Breeding Instead of Castration?
• Selection Against 'Bad Behaviour'
• Selection for Decreased Environmental Sensitivity
• More Data are Needed to Improve Welfare by Breeding
• The Role of Cooperation in Improving Pig Welfare
• Practical Implications

Human-Pig Relationships

• Human-Animal Relationships in Pig Production
• Fear, Productivity and Welfare
• Stockperson Characteristics Regulating th Pig's Fear of Humans
• Other Important Job-Related Characteristics of the Stockperson
• Opportunities to Improve Human-Animal Interactions in the Pig Industry
• Training
• Selection of Stockpeople

The Welfare of Pigs: a Social, Ethical and Scientific Issue

• Debate About Animal Welfare
• Animal Welfare Science
• Animal Welfare Assurance Programs
• The Application of Animal Welfare Science

Index

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