Abstract: Insertion and Handling of Male Pigs

Type and Average of Pigs on the Farm

The farm maintains 2,460 sows across two sites, with 85,000 weaners and 21,000 grower-finishers per year.

Farming System

Large-scale production system.

Description and Evaluation of the Good Practice

At insertion in the finisher section, male and female pigs are separated and placed on each side of the feeding troughs, and if possible also on each side of the aisle. Male pigs are always placed closest to the door to make movement easier. This separation has led to a clear reduction in unwanted behaviour such as mounting and fighting, and results in faster movement in and out of the stables. To maintain stable social hierarchies and prevent aggression, pigs are never mixed between pens once placed at 30 kg. If a pig must be removed, it is never reintroduced into a regular pen. At slaughter, pens are emptied over a maximum of 3 weeks, as mixing male pigs between pens leads to fighting. This practice was introduced at the start of 2025, is very easy to implement, requires no additional cost and has already been shared with neighbouring farmers.

Farm Context

• Pigs Final weight: average 90 kg carcass weight at slaughter (118 kg live weight); slaughter age: 21–22 weeks. Labelling: tattoo with herd number.
• Housing and Management Characteristics Floor type: 1/3 solid and 2/3 slatted. Feeding: sows — dry and liquid feed; weaners — dry feed; finishers — liquid feed. 35 sows per batch at site 1 and 60 at site 2, each week.
• Management Practices Immunocastration with 2 injections. First injection at 35 kg / 10 weeks; second at 60–65 kg / approximately 14 weeks. Ages at injection: 10 and 14 weeks. Pigs are led to the aisle and vaccinated there. Mounting behaviour: maximum 5%, not considered a problem. No boar taint feedback from abattoir. Implemented by farmer and employees.

Economic Analysis

• At weaning: +€0.73 per male piglet (no castration cost, lower mortality)
• From 30–115 kg: +€2 per pig on average, inclusive of vaccination cost
• Vaccination: approximately €2.81 for two doses
• 2 persons, 2 hours per week

Environmental Analysis

Climate savings from immunocastrated males versus barrows are estimated at approximately 8.7 kg CO₂e per pig.

Replicable Benefits and Relevance for Other EU Countries

This good practice is applicable to all farms producing male pigs. It is scalable and transferable to farms of all sizes and can be implemented immediately after mandatory training.

Note: The image used in this abstract is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent the farm or practice described.