Abstract: Sorting in Big Groups

Type and Average of Pigs on the Farm

The farm maintains approximately 1,998 grower-finishers.

Farming System

Intensive, small-scale production system.

Description and Evaluation of the Good Practice

This family business has built new farms seeking the highest standards of both productivity and animal welfare. The new fattening facilities are designed for sorting and feeding pigs in large groups, doing away with classic 3 × 3 m pens in favour of using the entire available surface area so that pigs can move freely at all times. The building is approximately 100 m long and 20 m wide. By not enclosing pens and making use of space that would otherwise be lost around structural elements such as feed hoppers, drinking troughs, weighing scales and infirmaries, pigs have a total area of 1,800 m² to move around. Pigs comply with the EU regulatory density of 0.65 m² per pig up to 110 kg live weight, but achieve it differently: animals have ample opportunity to interact with the whole group and, in the event of conflict, plenty of space to move away and find refuge. The housing is equipped with weighing scales that record growth, providing data comparable to conventional fattening pens. This is a newly built farm in its first fattening cycle, though more farms are adopting this system and it is becoming increasingly widespread. The main challenge identified is management: handling much larger groups is more complex than in conventional pens, and without sensor-based monitoring it can be difficult to detect sick or problematic pigs or separate them for any necessary intervention.

Farm Context

• Pigs: Pigs are monitored at all times, and any sick animals are transferred to dedicated nursing pens, removing the need to worry about risks within the large group.
• Environmental Enrichment: No straw is provided in this system.
• Housing and Management Characteristics: There are no internal pens; pigs are fattened in large groups across the entire facility. Space available is 0.65 m²/pig from 85–110 kg, 1 m²/pig from 110–135 kg, and 1.3 m²/pig above 135 kg. Flooring is partly slatted.
• Management Practices: Management is carried out using separation barriers within the facility to isolate pigs when required. The main risk for staff is encountering more aggressive pigs, which is managed through barrier opening and closing systems.

Economic Analysis

Benefits and costs are practically the same as for any other feeding facility, with no measurable difference in profits or costs, although welfare conditions are clearly improved. The practice required no time to implement, as it was designed into the building from the outset, and conversion rates and average daily gains are similar to conventional systems.

Environmental Analysis

The effect on emissions is not particularly notable, as the farm uses V-shaped pits with frequent emptying and a percentage of compacted floor. A high level of sensorisation and data collection allows feed to be provided with the appropriate crude protein content and prevents excess water use.

Replicable Benefits and Relevance for Other EU Countries

This practice is easily replicable, as any new farm can be built this way, and it is considered to ensure a high level of animal welfare. It is suitable for both small and large feedlots, with the main variable being the initial investment cost, and can be applied from the first day of operation with no adaptation period required.