Activities per year
Abstract
There are animal welfare concerns about the continued use of permanent crating systems for farrowing and lactating sows, which is the most prevalent maternity system in global pig production. Greater societal attention in recent years has culminated in changes (or proposed changes) to regulations as well as market-driven initiatives to move away from crated systems. Transitioning from farrowing crates to systems that allow the sow greater freedom of movement and behavioral expression requires a number of key decisions, with various trade-offs apparent when trying to balance the needs of different stakeholders. This review discusses these decisions based on common questions asked by farmers, policy makers and other stakeholders when deciding on a new system to build/approve. Based on the latest scientific evidence and practical insight, decisions such as: whether to retrofit an existing barn or build a new one, what spatial dimensions are necessary per sow place, whether to adopt free farrowing or temporary crating, how to provide substrate/enrichment and be hygienic and environmentally friendly, and how to optimize the human inputs and transition between systems are considered. The aim of this paper is to provide a roadmap for those interested in uptake of higher welfare systems and practices, as well as to highlight areas requiring further optimization and research.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 998192 |
Pages (from-to) | 1-22 |
Number of pages | 22 |
Journal | Frontiers in Veterinary Science |
Volume | 9 |
Early online date | 14 Nov 2022 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | First published - 14 Nov 2022 |
Bibliographical note
Copyright © 2022 Baxter, Moustsen, Goumon, Illmann and Edwards.Keywords
- Free farrowing
- Temporary crating
- Pigs
- Design
- Welfare
- management
- economics
- environment
- free farrowing
- temporary crating
- welfare
- pigs
- design
Rural Policy Centre Themes
- Food, health and wellbeing
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'Transitioning from crates to free farrowing: A roadmap to navigate key decisions'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Activities
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Scottish SPCA Pig welfare policy
Baxter, E. (Consultant)
5 Feb 2023Activity: Consultancy types › Consultancy
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Consultancy on farrowing systems
Baxter, E. (Consultant)
2023 → …Activity: Consultancy types › Consultancy
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Reducing neonatal piglet mortality in alternative farrowing systems
Baxter, E. (Speaker)
1 Mar 2023Activity: Talk, evidence or presentation types › Oral presentation
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Projects
- 2 Active
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RESAS 22-27: SRUC-a3-5 Practical On-farm Solutions For Welfare And Sustainability: Solutions To Chronic Problems
Haskell, M. (PI), Donbavand, J. (CoI), Dwyer, C. (CoI), D'Eath, R. (CoI), Turner, S. (CoI), Baxter, E. (CoI), Jack, M. (CoI) & Rutherford, K. (CoI)
Scottish Government: Rural & Environment Science & Analytical Services
1/04/22 → 31/03/27
Project: Research
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RESAS 22-27: SRUC-a3-2 Eu Exit ? Challenges And Opportunities For Animal Welfare.
D'Eath, R. (PI), Donbavand, J. (CoI), Lawrence, A. (CoI), Akaichi, F. (CoI), Dwyer, C. (CoI), Wemelsfelder, F. (CoI), Turner, S. (CoI), Haskell, M. (CoI), Baxter, E. (CoI) & Rutherford, K. (CoI)
Scottish Government: Rural & Environment Science & Analytical Services
1/04/22 → 31/03/27
Project: Research
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Review of temporary crating of farrowing and lactating sows
Goumon, S., Illman, G., Moustsen, V. A., Baxter, E. & Edwards, S. A., 17 Mar 2022, (First published) In: Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 9, 25 p., 811810.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open AccessFile18 Citations (Scopus)62 Downloads (Pure) -
‘Free’ Farrowing: Exploring different international farrowing regulations, industry- and market-led initiatives - Policy Spotlight
Baxter, E., 2022, SRUC's Rural Policy Centre. 7 p. (Policy Spotlight; no. 5)Research output: Book/Report/Policy Brief/Technical Brief › Policy Brief
Open AccessFile