Finisher Pig Welfare: Growth Stage Management

Key Welfare Considerations

• Finisher pigs growing from 30kg to 100kg+ require welfare management adapted to rapid physiological change.
• Stocking density must be adjusted as pigs grow — static allocation causes welfare space inadequacy at finish.
• UK welfare regulations require minimum 0.65-1.0m² per pig depending on weight at finish weight.
• Respiratory disease welfare (enzootic pneumonia, PRRS) is a major welfare challenge in finisher accommodation.
• Adequate ventilation is critical — 60+ litres/sec per pig is required for welfare air quality at finish.
• Temperature management for finisher pigs requires cooling in summer — thermal welfare stress increases at higher weights.
• Pen design allowing rest, feed, and dunging areas separately prevents welfare substrate contamination.
• Feed space of minimum 7cm per pig prevents competitive welfare exclusion at troughs.
• Water provision welfare target of minimum 1 drinker per 10 pigs prevents dehydration welfare stress.
• Enrichment welfare requirement continues through the finisher stage — substrate rotation maintains novelty.
• Tail biting welfare risk persists through the finisher stage — tail scoring and prompt management is essential.
• Mixing of pigs at finisher stage causes significant welfare aggression — pen stability is welfare-beneficial.
• Lameness welfare assessment using gait scoring should be conducted at regular welfare intervals.
• Pre-slaughter welfare assessment using animal-based measures identifies welfare compromised pigs for early action.
• Slaughter welfare including lairage management, handling, and stunning is the final welfare stage assessment.