Ontario Pork received an investment of $25,813, through the Ontario Farm Innovation Program, to develop, test and compare innovative enrichment devices for growing pigs on commercial swine farms in Ontario.
The 2014 Canadian Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pigs identifies enrichment devices as necessary. Four toy prototypes were tested by 11 Ontario producers. The first toy tested was a 'Teeter Totter' (TT) design that attaches to a pen dividing wall and has toy attachments that hang off either side of the wall. The second design was called a "Tri-Star" (TS), which has three arms extending from the center of the device. Both toy prototypes were also tested with and without a bell.
Of the 11 study farms, five showed a consistently higher percentage of pigs playing with the TS. One farm had a higher percentage of pigs playing with the TT, and pigs on the remaining 5 farms played with the TS and TT equally. There was no preference as to whether or not the toy produces a bell noise. This project was successful in formulating best practices regarding the installation and use of these enrichment devices. This project increased knowledge among swine producers and other members of the Ontario swine industry regarding the importance and practical application of environmental enrichment devices for growing pigs. Additionally, these results revealed that pigs prefer to play with toys that are kept clean and are able to be manipulated.
"Environmental enrichment is a requirement on all Ontario swine farms under the Canadian Code of Practice," said Ken Ovington, General Manager, Ontario Pork "And because of this investment, producers can use the project results as a foundation for developing or purchasing enrichment devices for their own farms."
The OFIP is funded through Growing Forward 2 (GF2), a federal-provincial-territorial initiative. The Agricultural Adaptation Council assists in the delivery of GF2 in Ontario.
Source: OntarioPork