PigNovations - Improving the design of novel, innovative systems for finisher pigs reared in large groups

In the form of a 4-yr PhD project we will investigate animal welfare and sustainability in novel, innovative stables for groups of several hundred finishing pigs.

Large groups of pigs is both novel and come with risks, both for pigs and production results, at the same time as large, flexible stables potentially have great advantages.Pigs are extremely social, meaning that the first part of the project focus on group dynamics and investigate if early social training may alleviate aggression when the pigs are introduced to the large groups in the finishing barn.

A centrally placed automatic scale in the system give the farmers the possibility to closely monitor growth and efficiently sort pigs for slaughter, but can at the same time pose an obstacle for pigs movements in the system.Towards the end of the project we focus more on climatic factors inside the stables and how the pigs’ behaviour interact with e.g. ventilation can be used to increase pig comfort and hygiene.The project will result in greatly demanded, scientifically based advice on how these novel, innovative systems should be designed and managed.