The euthanasia of non-viable pigs on farms — those too sick or injured to recover economically — involves methods that vary widely in humaneness, with some common practices causing significant suffering compared to available alternatives.
On-farm euthanasia represents an end-of-life welfare challenge that affects millions of pigs annually. The two most common on-farm methods — blunt force trauma and CO2 euthanasia — both carry significant welfare concerns when improperly performed. Blunt force trauma that fails to render the animal immediately insensible on the first blow causes severe pain and distress. CO2 causes burning sensations and aversion before unconsciousness. Perhaps more significant than the method choice is the problem of delayed euthanasia — animals left to suffer because producers are reluctant to write off an animal that might survive, or because welfare concerns are not prioritized in production decisions.