Inger Lise Andersen

Introduction:The objective of the present work was to collect preliminary production data on a newly-developed farrowing pen for individually loose-housed sows and to use these results to produce a pen for commercial practice which has a high piglet survival rate and improved sow and piglet welfare.Materials and Methods:The “Sow Comfort” farrowing pen” (7.9 m2) comprises two comp ...

Introduction: Piglet mortality, mainly within the first 4 days after farrowing, is still an important welfare issue and an economical challenge. Variation in piglet mortality between herds with similar genetic material and physical environment indicates that the herd`s management is a crucial factor. The objective of this survey was to assess the importance of different management routines around ...

Animal emotions – and what about the pig?With some notable exceptions Darwin’s 1872 book on expressions of emotions in man and humans, ‘feelings’ or emotions have historically been viewed as non-scientific and not a subject fitting for scientific enquiry. However, during the last decades we have seen a resurrection of scientific interest in the field of mechanisms ...

Maternal investment, sow behavioural needs and criteria for housing designThe reproductive strategy of producing large broods and smaller young, resulting in a higher mortality rate, fits the picture of domestic pigs remarkably well (reviewed by Drake et al. 2008). The average litter size in domestic sows is around 12 to 14 piglets, but litters of above 20 piglets are not uncommon even i ...