Weighing up the costs and benefits of co-mingling piglets before weaning

What are the pros and cons of co-mingling? One researcher provides an overview based on 30 years of research studies against the background of concerns in practice.
calendar icon 7 October 2019
clock icon 8 minute read
piglets socialising between farrowing pens
Image 1: Socialising piglets pre-weaning can be achieved by replacing the wall between farrowing pens by a divider with an opening

© M. Farish (SRUC)

socialisation of young piglets in mixed group pens
Socialisation reduces aggression at weaning. Social contact can also be encouraged by allowing snout contact between pens through bars, which can be continued also after weaning.

© I. Camerlink

References
References
Irene Camerlink, ,Marianne Farish, Rick B. D’Eath, Gareth Arnott and Simon P. Turner
(2018) Long Term Benefits on Social Behaviour after Early Life Socialization of Piglets. Animals 8(11):192

Irene Camerlink

PhD and post-doc researcher

Irene Camerlink is a researcher at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna (Vetmeduni) where she works on social behaviour in pigs and its relationship to neurobiology and animal welfare.

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