Pig Pain Recognition in Farm Settings

Improving pain recognition in commercial pig farming requires practical training and tools that can be applied in busy farm environments.

Key Facts

Pig grimace scale requires training in observing orbital tightening, cheek tension and ear position
Behavioural indicators including reluctance to move and abnormal posture supplement facial assessment
Farmers trained in pain recognition intervene more quickly and treat more effectively
Digital tools including farm apps are being developed to make pain scoring more accessible
Welfare outcomes including mortality and morbidity improve significantly on farms with systematic pain assessment

Welfare Considerations

Pain recognition training for farm workers is a high-return welfare investment. Trained stockpeople identify and treat pain-related conditions earlier, reducing suffering duration and improving welfare outcomes. Making training accessible and practical is the key adoption challenge.

What You Can Do

Support development and distribution of practical pig pain recognition training materials
Advocate for pain recognition training as a mandatory component of pig farm assurance
Engage farm staff with accessible pain recognition resources from AHDB and university partners