This collection features four peer-reviewed reviews on improving the welfare of gilts and sows.The first chapter reviews current knowledge on the factors affecting the health and welfare of gilts and sows during pregnancy and parturition. The chapter considers the influence of group housing, stress and social interaction on the development of production diseases, such as post-partum dysgalactia syndrome and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome.The ...

This collection features four peer-reviewed literature reviews on improving piglet welfare.The first chapter reviews the main welfare challenges faced during farrowing and lactation, including the occurrence of painful husbandry procedures, such as tooth resection, tail docking and castration. The chapter also highlights various mitigation strategies that can be implemented to optimise the welfare of both sows and piglets in the farrowing environment.The se...

Emphasises advances in understanding pig behaviour as the foundation for understanding and improving welfareComprehensive coverable of welfare issues across the value chain, covering breeding and gestation, farrowing and lactation, weaning, growing and finishing as well as transport, lairage and slaughterParticular focus on ways of assessing and reducing pain in such areas as tail docking and castration

Reviews latest research on diseases affecting pigs and their managementComprehensive review of pig welfare across the life-cycle, from gilts and sows to weaned piglets and finishing pigsIncludes generic welfare issues such as the role of pasture-based systems, humane transport, lairage and slaughter techniques

Covers the latest research on controlling pathogenic and non-pathogenic safety risks associated with pig meatComprehensive review of the factors affecting the different aspects of pig meat qualityAssesses ways of minimising the environmental impact of pig production such as reducing input use, emissions and waste