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Ongoing Science & Research Projects
Learn more about the projects FOUR PAWS is helping to work on
- On-Farm Slaughter of Small Ruminants and Pigs
- Schweinerleben: Keeping Uncastrated Pigs in a Natural Environment
- Mother-bonded rearing in dairy productions
On-Farm Slaughter of Small Ruminants and Pigs
The process of loading and transporting animals to the abattoir, along with the time they spend there, is very stressful for farmed animals and negatively impacts their welfare. On-farm slaughter can help minimise stress, pain, and harm to the animals.
However, unlike with cattle, there is limited practical experience and research regarding the on-farm slaughter of pigs, goats, and sheep. Therefore, the aim of this project is to establish and continuously improve on-farm slaughter practices for these species, focusing on enhancing animal welfare by reducing stress, refining practical procedures, and ensuring economic efficiency.
FOUR PAWS supports the project financially and scientifically and the results of the project will be presented in a technical brochure, in a video and at an information event. FiBL will continue to provide advice on on-farm slaughter after the project is completed.
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Schweinerleben
Keeping Uncastrated Pigs in a Natural Environment
Background information
The majority of male piglets are surgically castrated before they are one week old. Castration is largely performed without pain relief, i.e. anaesthesia and analgesia are rarely used, which is a major welfare concern. Piglets are castrated to reduce the likelihood of 'boar taint'. Boar taint is present in some carcasses due to the presence of a compound produced during the breakdown of protein in the gut (skatol) and a boar pheromone (androstenone), which may be perceived as unpleasant by some consumers. Uncastrated pigs are most likely to be affected by boar taint, but the prevalence is low, affecting only about 5-10% of pig carcasses. Another reason for castration is the behaviour of young boars, as uncastrated male pigs tend to show more mutual mounting and agonistic interactions, which may result in increased skin lesions or lameness, depending on overall management and housing conditions.
The start of the project
The "SchweinErleben" project offers a unique opportunity to study the behaviour of uncastrated domestic pigs in a semi-natural environment. Since 2023, 44 domestic pigs, three sows and their 41 piglets have been living on a farm in the canton of Lucerne with a large semi-natural outdoor area of over 1.8 hectares with meadows, trees, sleeping huts and even a forest. FiBL Switzerland is the scientific leader of the project and has the opportunity to investigate in depth a wide range of research questions relating to the behaviour of domestic pigs e.g. how do uncastrated domestic pigs behave in a natural environment and in a social group including adult pigs?
More information regarding the current status of the projects can be found here:
1. Farm and pasture slaughtering for improved animal welfare, FIBL [accessed DATE] https://www.fibl.org/en/info-centre/news/farm-and-pasture-slaughtering-for-improved-animal-welfare
2.On-farm slaughter of pigs and small ruminants, FIBL [accessed DATE] https://www.fibl.org/en/themes/projectdatabase/projectitem/project/2206