Genetic selection and marketing strategies have created larger pigs, and along with it the possibility for producers to rethink the needed space requirements.

January 23, 2017

5 Min Read
Production phase, genetics may be cause to rethink space allotment
National Pork Board

By Heidi Carroll, South Dakota State University Extension Livestock Stewardship Associate

At the start of a new year, take a moment to consider one of the animal observations from the Pork Quality Assurance Plus Site Assessment and its impacts.

Recommendations exist in facility planning books about the square footage for an animal at each phase of production. However, these recommendations are simply a starting point at achieving animal comfort and maximizing the efficiency of your building. The challenge we sometimes forget is that recommendations are formed based on some assumptions and certain sizes of animals. What happens when our genetic selection and marketing strategies grow animals that are larger than the animals used to create those recommendations? We start to see animals with less actual space.

I think we can all agree that today’s genetics have improved and provide extra pounds on each animal, both market and breeding animals. There are also different types of housing systems that pigs can be raised in, and the type may change depending on the animal’s phase of production. Thus, a more functional indicator of acceptable animal space that is independent of housing type is defined in the PQA program.

Animal space means ensuring an animal can fully lie down without having to be in contact with other animals, unless by choice. Additionally, sows in individual stalls should not have to rest their head on a feeder or have its rump touching the back of the stall while lying down. When we look at market animals, the animals should be able to lie down without piling and be able to get up easily. There should also be enough room in the pen so animals don’t have to be in contact with a feeder or waterer when resting.

When sows don’t fit well in stalls, we may observe minor sores or behavior changes. The most obvious indicators that stall size isn’t matched to sow size is the incidence of shoulder sores or minor abrasions to areas of the body that have frequent contact with the stall frame or feeder. Despite most of these sores needing minimal treatment, it is critical that we remember that this has a direct impact on the animal’s state of well-being. Sows may depress their feed and water intake in extreme cases of limited animal space because she finds standing up and lying down difficult.

We should take a step back and ask ourselves, what’s best for the animal, to ensure we don’t let problems become normal.

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Notice how these sows have over a foot of space behind them while laying down. The sow in the top picture has her head under the feeder by choice and while her back has contact with the stall side, her belly and legs are not in constant contact with the other side of the stall.

 

Notice how these sows have over a foot of space behind them while laying down. The sow in the top picture has her head under the feeder by choice and while her back has contact with the stall side, her belly and legs are not in constant contact with the other side of the stall. (South Dakota State University/Bob Thaler)

For sow herds housed in group pens, animal space is critical because of the social hierarchy of individuals. It is well understood that mixing sows leads to fights to establish their dominance structure, essentially determining who the boss is. Some herds may keep static groups to help minimize this fighting, but this doesn’t eliminate all disputes. Adequate animal space in sow pens provides an environment where a pig that gets picked on has room to escape, which is one way to minimize conflicts and injuries.

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Sows in group housing require more space per animal than finisher hogs to maintain their social hierarchy and minimize conflicts.

 

Sows in group housing require more space per animal than finisher hogs to maintain their social hierarchy and minimize conflicts. (SDSU/Bob Thaler)

Grower and finisher phases are times we try to maximize the economic return on our facility by optimizing floor space per animal to keep costs per animal lower. Growth and average daily gain starts out great while the animals are smaller and have more room. However, as the animals grow the space allotted per animal becomes less. When pen space is limited and space at feeders and waterers becomes tight, ADG and feed efficiency drop. Competition increases leading to minor injuries that require treatment. Stocking density may not be high enough to see increased mortality and morbidity, but we do see an impact on welfare.

I often hear producers talk about a pen getting delayed for shipping and animals get fed past their expected market weight. This further shrinks the animal space in the pen and potentially drops it below the minimum recommendations for a short period. I repeatedly hear producers observe improved intakes and ADG again when the first load of market pigs is sorted off pens that became crowded. Why? This directly lowers competition and allows for more space at the feeder and waterer; a boost in animal well-being.

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When we consider animals at their different phases of production (nursery versus grower/finisher) we can easily see animal space changes dramatically as pigs grow. The larger pigs have enough space to lie down without touching each other if they choose, but we have to remember they aren’t done growing yet.

 

When we consider animals at their different phases of production (nursery versus grower/finisher) we can easily see animal space changes dramatically as pigs grow. The larger pigs have enough space to lie down without touching each other if they choose, but we have to remember they aren’t done growing yet. (SDSU/Bob Thaler)

Pigs are social animals. Social animals require a space to keep the peace and promote performance and well-being. Evaluating animal space in your barns can help maximize your production efficiencies while providing a high level of welfare. Continuous improvement toward animal welfare is one goal of the PQA Plus program.

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