Farm Animals

Pig Abattoir Design Welfare

Slaughterhouse design significantly affects pig welfare at killing, with stunning race design, lighting, and handling systems determining whether pigs move calmly or experience panic before stunning.

Key Facts

Pigs refuse to move through areas they perceive as threatening including shadows and drains
Curved race designs that exploit natural curiosity improve pig flow without electric goading
Intermittent lighting reduces visual contrast that causes pig balking
Electric goads should be used as last resort not routine management
Temple Grandin's abattoir design principles are widely adopted but inconsistently implemented

Welfare Considerations

Abattoir design determines whether millions of pigs experience panic in their final minutes. Evidence-based design improvements reduce pre-slaughter stress at negligible cost.

What You Can Do

Support welfare organisations auditing slaughterhouse design and practice
Advocate for adoption of Temple Grandin's animal handling design principles
Raise awareness of slaughterhouse design as a welfare variable in food production
Support CCTV requirements and independent welfare auditing at all slaughter premises