This collection features four peer-reviewed literature reviews on improving piglet welfare.
This collection features four peer-reviewed literature reviews on improving piglet welfare.
The first chapter reviews the main welfare challenges faced during farrowing and lactation, including the occurrence of painful husbandry procedures, such as tooth resection, tail docking and castration. The chapter also highlights various mitigation strategies that can be implemented to optimise the welfare of both sows and piglets in the farrowing environment.
The second chapter addresses some of the main welfare concerns that can arise during the weaning and nursery stage as a result of separation between piglet and sow and exposure to a new environment. The chapter also summarises the most important fields of environmental, nutritional and social stress and how these experiences can be mitigated with the correct strategies.
The third chapter considers the demand for improved welfare and animal handling systems from governments, non-governmental organisations and consumers. The chapter reviews recent advancements in technology that have the potential to improve animal wellbeing, profitability and performance during the weaning period.
The final chapter discusses the main etiological agents acting in the period of transition from weaning, the risk factors for their introduction and diffusion within the farm and the main measures available for their control.
Chapter 1 - Optimising sow and piglet welfare during farrowing and
lactation: Emma M. Baxter, Animal Behaviour and Welfare Team, Animal and
Veterinary Sciences Research Group, SRUC, UK; and Sandra Edwards, Newcastle
University, UK; 1 Introduction2 Welfare challenges during farrowing and
lactation3 Mitigating welfare challenges4 Conclusions5 Future trends in
research6 Where to look for further information7 References
Chapter 2 Optimising pig welfare at the weaning and nursery stage: Nicole
Kemper, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany; 1 Introduction2
Minimising the impact of weaning3 Optimised management: the human key factor4
Conclusion5 Future trends in research6 Where to look for further information7
References
Chapter 3 Welfare of weaned piglets: Arlene Garcia and John J. McGlone, Texas
Tech University, USA; 1 Introduction2 Pre-weaning mortality3 Weaning stress4
Painful practices: castration and ear notching/tagging5 Painful practices:
tail docking and teeth clipping/resection6 Transportation7 New technologies8
Conclusion9 Where to look for further information10 References
Chapter 4 Optimising the health of weaned piglets: Andrea Luppi, Istituto
Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dellEmilia Romagna (IZSLER),
Italy; 1 Introduction2 Transition from weaning: factors influencing health
and performance of pigs3 Transition from weaning: intervention and prevention
strategies4 Weaning transition and infectious agents5 Viruses acting in the
period of transition from weaning as immunosuppressive agents6 Example of
diseases recognising risk factors and prevention strategies in the transition
from weaning7 Conclusion and future trends8 Where to look for further
information9 References
Dr Sandra Edwards is Emerita Professor in the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences at Newcastle University, UK. Professor Edwards is widely regarded as one of the worlds leading experts on pig welfare with over 200 publications in the field. She has won numerous awards, including from organisations such as UFAW, EAAP, RSPCA and BSAS. She is a former President of the British Society of Animal Science, a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, as well as a former member of the UK Farm Animal Welfare Council and the Animal Health and Welfare Panel of the European Food Safety Agency. Dr Sandra Edwards is Emerita Professor in the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences at Newcastle University, UK. Professor Edwards is widely regarded as one of the worlds leading experts on pig welfare with over 200 publications in the field. She has won numerous awards, including from organisations such as UFAW, EAAP, RSPCA and BSAS. She is a former President of the British Society of Animal Science, a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, as well as a former member of the UK Farm Animal Welfare Council and the Animal Health and Welfare Panel of the European Food Safety Agency. Dr Sandra Edwards is Emerita Professor in the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences at Newcastle University, UK. Professor Edwards is widely regarded as one of the worlds leading experts on pig welfare with over 200 publications in the field. She has won numerous awards, including from organisations such as UFAW, EAAP, RSPCA and BSAS. She is a former President of the British Society of Animal Science, a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, as well as a former member of the UK Farm Animal Welfare Council and the Animal Health and Welfare Panel of the European Food Safety Agency.
