Farm Animals

Pig Skin Lesion Scoring Systems

Skin lesion scoring in pigs is a validated welfare indicator that helps identify aggression, disease, and management problems on farm.

Key Facts

Skin lesion scoring uses 0-5 scales on body regions to quantify injury
Lesions on the shoulder and flank often indicate aggression during regrouping
Automated image-based scoring systems are being validated for routine use
Scoring at weaning, regrouping, and slaughter captures lifetime welfare events
High lesion scores correlate with fear-based behaviour and poor resource access

Welfare Considerations

Frequent or severe skin lesions indicate significant suffering. Regular scoring enables early intervention to prevent escalating injuries.

What You Can Do

Implement routine lesion scoring at key production stages
Reduce regrouping frequency and provide adequate space
Use nose rings or other management tools cautiously and ethically
Support research into automated welfare monitoring systems