Table 1 Developed measures for welfare assessment of growing pigs on farms
Welfare criteria | Measures |
|---|---|
I. Good feeding | |
1 Absence of prolonged hunger1 | Body condition scores |
2 Feed quality2 | Feed condition4 |
3 Absence of prolonged thirst1 | Water supply4 |
II. Good housing | |
4 Environmental condition2 | Temperature and relative humidity5 |
5 Ventilation status (air quality)2, 3 | Particulate matter and ammonia concentration5 |
6 Comfort around resting1 | Bursitis and manure on the body |
7 Thermal comfort1 | Shivering, panting, and huddling |
8 Ease of movement1 | Space allowance |
9 Other facility condition3 | Conditions of floor, fencing, feeder, and other facilities inside the farm4 |
III. Good health | |
10 Absence of injuries1 | Lameness, wounds, tail biting |
11 Absence of disease1 | Coughing, sneezing, pumping, twisted snouts, rectal prolapse, scouring, skin condition, ruptures, and hernia |
12 Health management3 | Veterinary-client-patient relationship, medical record, and hospital pen4 |
13 Euthanasia2 | Number of euthanized animal and euthanasia methods |
IV. Appropriate behavior | |
14 Expression of social behavior1 | Negative and positive social behavior |
15 Expression of other behavior1 | Exploratory behavior |
16 Good human animal relationship1 | Fear of humans |
17 Positive emotional state1 | Qualitative behavior assessment |