Breeding and welfare of entire male pigs (A review)
Sonya Ivanova, Mariana Petrova
Abstract: The breeding of entire mail pigs in modern pig farming is based on the quality of their meat, which means improving the carcass composition with more lean meat and more fat of the desired quality, while emphasizing various methods to prevent the appearance of boar taint. This review summarizes the state of research on the type and frequency of problems in the breeding and welfare of entire mail pigs. Observations of the behavior of uncastrated male pigs have shown increased activity, more frequent struggles to establish a hierarchical order, more frequent injuries and an increased degree of lameness compared to castrates and female animals. The influence of the group’s composition on sexual behavior, puberty and premature slaughter was analyzed in detail. It has been found that increased sexually motivated behavior towards pigs from the same box causes higher levels of stress. Observations of slaughtered animals with penile injuries ranging from 3% to 82% have been reported. Studies have been performed on the extent of skin lesions in different groups of animals. The possibility of vaccination against boar taint (immunocastration) was considered.
It is concluded that the breeding of entire male pigs seems to be a favorable, future-oriented alternative to conventional surgical castration of pigs, provided that young intact boars are kept in a healthy and socially stable environment with sucient physical resources, as safeguarded by measures of enhanced animal care and management control. Recommendations for the practice are given, based on foreign and our research. They include: early socialisation in stable groups where entire males are separated from females; provision of more space in structured pens and provision of enrichment material for observation, keeping of the necessary hygiene and optimal microclimate, minimization of stress, etc.
It is concluded that the breeding of entire male pigs seems to be a favorable, future-oriented alternative to conventional surgical castration of pigs, provided that young intact boars are kept in a healthy and socially stable environment with sucient physical resources, as safeguarded by measures of enhanced animal care and management control. Recommendations for the practice are given, based on foreign and our research. They include: early socialisation in stable groups where entire males are separated from females; provision of more space in structured pens and provision of enrichment material for observation, keeping of the necessary hygiene and optimal microclimate, minimization of stress, etc.
Keywords: behavior; breeding; entire male pigs; immunocastration; welfare
Date published: 2022-12-21
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