Swine welfare

Some farming methods have ignored the pigs’ needs by treating them as production units rather than fascinating and intelligent creatures with innate behavioural and physical needs. Pigs are sensitive to extremes of climate and have no sweat glands (except for on the tip of the snout) nor thick hair cover, relying on fat for insulation. In cold weather pigs often huddle to keep warm, whilst in warm weather they wallow in water and mud to keep cool. Pigs forage and root for food (a strong natural behaviour), and eat a wide range of vegetables and animal products, including carrion. In terms of senses, pigs rely on smell and hearing more than vision. They have a wide range of vocalisations and a good ability to locate odour sources. Pigs prefer to live in stable families or small groups. However, they can be aggressive to each other, especially if unfamiliar animals are mixed. Boars are often solitary. Contrary to popular belief, pigs are clean animals and if given properly designed living accommodation, will always tend to use one particular area for dunging, thereby keeping their lying/sleeping area clean.