Farm Animals

Pig Finisher Welfare and Slaughter Preparation

The finishing period and pre-slaughter handling of pigs are associated with significant welfare challenges including aggressive mixing, transport stress, and lairage conditions.

Key Facts

Pre-slaughter mixing at lairage causes severe aggression between unfamiliar pigs
Lairage duration over 2 hours increases DFD (dark, firm, dry) meat and stress indicators
Stunning effectiveness is the single most important factor in humane slaughter
Electrical waterbath stunning can be poorly controlled leading to inadequate stunning
Carbon dioxide stunning causes significant aversion responses before unconsciousness

Welfare Considerations

The journey from farm to slaughter involves some of the most acute welfare challenges pigs face. Improvements in transport, lairage, and stunning can dramatically reduce end-of-life suffering.

What You Can Do

Support slaughterhouse welfare monitoring and CCTV requirements
Advocate for stunning method improvements reducing pre-slaughter pain
Raise awareness of transport and lairage welfare as part of farm animal welfare
Support research into stunning alternatives with better welfare profiles