Characterization of outdoor pig farms in Ireland using a ‘One Welfare’ approach
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Date
2024
Authors
Senanayake Mohotti Appuhamilage, Nipuna Sahan Senanayake
Journal Title
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Publisher
University College Cork
Published Version
Abstract
Outdoor pig farming is gaining attention for its alignment with growing consumer interest in animal welfare and environmental sustainability. Unlike intensive systems, outdoor farms offer pigs access to soil and vegetation, encouraging natural behaviours such as rooting and foraging and minimising damaging behaviours and the associated body lesions. However, challenges such as seasonal weather effects, degradation of the soil, and greater exposure to gastrointestinal parasites pose risks to animal welfare and environmental health. This thesis explores the interconnections between animal welfare, environmental parameters, and farmer well-being in outdoor pig farming systems in Ireland using a ‘One Welfare’ approach. Welfare and environmental measures were assessed in 446 pigs across 20 outdoor pig farms in Ireland during two seasonal visits (1st visit - February–May 2nd visit - July–October 2023). Welfare indicators included body condition score (BCS), lameness, skin lesions, and prevalence of ecto-parasites, while environmental parameters focused on soil shear strength and plant diversity across distinct paddock areas (foraging, defecation, and low-impact areas). Majority of the pigs were in good welfare and there were only minor seasonal effects (P < 0.05): higher lameness and ecto-parasite prevalence in the 1st visit, and higher lesion counts at the 2nd visit. Older animals (i.e. sows and boars) exhibited poorer welfare outcomes than fattener pigs, including higher lameness scores, lesion counts, and ecto-parasite prevalence (P < 0.05). Soil structure was significantly weakened in foraging areas during the 2nd visit, while the diversity of plants declined from the 1st to the 2nd visit in the foraging area. The relationships between animal welfare, environmental parameters, and farmer well-being was explored using a holistic approach. Data from 223 pigs across 17 farms during the second seasonal visit (July–October 2023) were analysed using principal component analysis (PCA), revealing three distinct clusters. Cluster 1 was characterized by poor animal welfare (high lameness, skin lesions, and ecto-parasite prevalence), primarily relating to sows and boars. Cluster 2 was associated with organic or GMO-free farms, with higher animal welfare but with the lowest scores for farmer well-being. Cluster 3 achieved a balance of high animal welfare and farmer well-being, typically involving fattener or grower pigs. Significant differences (P < 0.05) between clusters were observed for soil shear strength and plant diversity in specific paddock zones, highlighting trade-offs between welfare dimensions. The second study focused on gastrointestinal parasite prevalence and its associations with management practices. A total of 65 paddock-level faecal samples, collected over two visits for the same farms mentioned above, were analyzed using the McMaster flotation method. Four parasite taxa were identified: Eimeria spp., strongyles, Ascaris suum, and Trichuris suis. Infection rates exceeded 80% for Eimeria spp. and strongyles, 31% for A. suum, and 9% for T. suis. Seasonal differences were evident, with Eimeria spp. counts significantly higher in the second visit (P < 0.001) and strongyles higher in the first (P < 0.05). Fattener pigs had higher Eimeria spp. counts (P < 0.01), while sows/boars had higher strongyle counts (P < 0.05). Strongyle FEC was reduced with anthelmintic usage (P < 0.05), while paddock rotation mitigated Eimeria spp. counts when anthelmintics were administered. This thesis provides the first comprehensive evaluation of animal welfare, environmental quality, and farmer well-being in outdoor pig farming systems in Ireland. The findings highlight the importance of season-specific management strategies and the importance of the interplay between animal, environment and the human, providing a holistic understanding of ‘One Welfare’ in Irish outdoor pig farms.
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Keywords
Outdoor , Pig , Ireland , One Welfare , Parasites
Citation
Senanayake Mohotti Appuhamilage, N. S. S. 2024. Characterization of outdoor pig farms in Ireland using a ‘One Welfare’ approach. MSc Thesis, University College Cork.