Evidence-based refinements for pigs.

Housing & Handling

Key Natural Behaviors

  • Social with tightly bonded social groupings and dominance hierarchies
  • Foraging behaviors such as rooting, grazing, and exploration
  • Diurnal with long periods of rest/sleep & long periods of activity
  • Highly intelligent
  • Social facilitation (synchronization of activities such as eating, sleeping, manipulating materials)

Recommendations

  • Stable social groupings
  • If adult pigs must be mixed use pens designed with extra space, getaway areas/barriers, & management techniques
  • If pigs must be singly housed, allow physical contact through wire mesh or similar
  • Floor pens with rough surface flooring and straw/shaving/sawdust bedding substrate to prevent slipping and promote rooting
  • If facility limitations prevent the use of such bedding, plastic or rubber mats can be used
  • Pen large enough to accommodate a defecation area separate from the feeding area
  • Behavioral management
  • Positive reinforcement, socialization, & habituation training for routine handling/procedures
  • Staff should receive proper training before implementing these procedures.
  • Robust enrichment schedule including multiple rooting, chewing, and play opportunities.
  • Key enrichment characteristics: edible, chewable, investigable, and manipulable (e.g., snout-operated pellet dispenser)
  • If possible, enough enrichment materials should be provided for all pigs to access them simultaneously to avoid aggression.
  • If possible, outdoor access with an activity area such as access to a pool and rooting area filled with bark and wood chips.

Procedural Refinements

1. Swine Restraint

  • Positive Reinforcement Training
  • Use of Swine Board
  • Peanut Butter on Wall
  • Patience is everything!


2. Swine Anaesthesia

  • Gatoraid and Prang Popsicles for NPO
  • 3D Refinements
  • Ear Wedges


  • Modify recovery surroundings:
  • Soft padding during recovery
  • Low light
  • Low voice
  • Dedicated post-op nursing care
  • John Hopkins Chair


3. Swine Humane Euthanasia

  • Pre-Medication (Sedative): Injectable and Oral options
  • Euthanasia Options
  • Adequate Restraint: It’s all in the hold


4. Swine Blood Collection

  • Consistent body weight
  • Place weigh scale at door entryway
  • Consistent anesthesia
  • Positive Reinforcement Training

Related Refinements

Behavioural Management Program

  • Dedicated behavior manager to ensure consistency
  • Dedicated environmental enrichment opportunities
  • Rotational
  • Human-Patient Interaction
  • Understanding time to learn individual behavior