Welfare impact of social breeding value and straw for growing-finishing pigs

摘要: Animal welfare is of increasing concern in present society. In commercial pig farming, animal welfare problems are common. One of the causes for these problems is the barren environment in which pigs are housed, which can cause oral manipulation of pen mates. Providing straw might be one solution to this problem. Another solution could be reached through genetic selection. Present breeding schemes are only focused on direct production characteristics of the individual, like growth performance. Welfare, as well as production …