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Characteristics of Pig Fattening Systems Involving Partially Slatted Floors

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Book cover The Welfare of Pigs

Part of the book series: Current Topics in Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science ((CTVM,volume 11))

Abstract

The impact of production methods on the well-being of the pig is governed by the interaction of all the component parts of the system. Thus, design, construction, installation and management together with day to day stockmanship, all have an influence on the welfare of the animal. There is no aspect of pig production in which this is more clearly evident than in systems of pig fattening which involve the use of partially slatted floors. This is because the system allows the pigs to give a clear behavioural response to changing environmental conditions. Such behavioural changes are not necessarily related to performance parameters but they usually give the stockman an unmistakeable signal in the form of dirty pens. In this paper I wish to focus attention on four aspects of such systems:

  1. a.

    The aim of the system and an indication of its importance in the United Kingdom together with a description of some of the variations found in commercial use.

  2. b.

    An examination of the factors which influence the operation of fattening pens involving partially slatted floors.

  3. c.

    A summary of the characteristics of the system.

  4. d.

    An assessment of the extent to which partially slatted floors achieve their objective.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Agricultural Development and Advisory Service, Wolverhampton, UK

    A. T. Smith

Authors
  1. A. T. Smith
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Research Institute for Animal Husbandry ‘Schoonoord’, Zeist, The Netherlands

    W. Sybesma

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© 1981 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

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Smith, A.T. (1981). Characteristics of Pig Fattening Systems Involving Partially Slatted Floors. In: Sybesma, W. (eds) The Welfare of Pigs. Current Topics in Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, vol 11. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-9574-4_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-9574-4_10

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-011-8725-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-9574-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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