Simple Summary The legislation regarding pig housing systems states that environmental
enrichment needs to be provided for group-housed pigs. Moreover, the materials used for …

Whereas mammalian mothers and young may retain long-term social affiliations in nature,
the management of animals in captivity typically dictates that offspring are abruptly and …

This scientific opinion focuses on the welfare of pigs on farm, and is based on literature and
expert opinion. All pig categories were assessed: gilts and dry sows, farrowing and lactating …

Many farm, laboratory, zoo and companion animals experience some form of maternal
deprivation. This is typically via separation from their mothers earlier than would happen in …

Simple Summary Minimising stress in intensive pig farms is paramount to raising
immunocompetent pigs. This entails providing the pigs with living conditions (from birth to …

Intensive pig production systems are a source of stress, which is linked to reduced animal
welfare and increased antimicrobial use. As the gatekeepers of the welfare of the animals …

Weaning of piglets in commercial husbandry systems is earlier and more abrupt than would
happen under natural conditions, resulting in low feed intakes and health and welfare …

The practice of breeding from hyperprolific sows producing very large litters is becoming a
normal occurrence in commercial pig production. However, the relationship between large …

This study compared the development until 9 wk of age of piglets raised in either a multi-litter
(ML) system or a conventional single-litter (SL) system. The ML system consisted of a multi …

Young animals can learn about flavors from the maternal diet that appear in the amniotic
fluid and mother's milk, which may reduce neophobia for similarly flavored food types at …