The revised Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pigs was released in March of 2014 (NFACC, 2014), and includes several changes that impact production practices and housing on Canadian farms.
The most significant changes to the code are related to pain control at castration and tail docking, sow housing, space allowances and enrichment.
The code requirement for enrichment states that, “Pigs must be provided with multiple forms of enrichment that aim to improve the welfare of the animals through the enhancement of their physical and social environments.”
The requirement for enrichment is looked on with skepticism by some, who they may see the requirement as an unnecessary exercise to please consumers, requiring more time and money and without benefit to pigs or production.
This presentation will hopefully dispel these notions. There is an extensive amount of research on enrichment to show that, when given appropriate enrichments, pigs can benefit from reduced fear, aggression and vices, and improved growth. Also, there are many enrichments that can be produced on-farm at low cost which are durable and effective.
Source: Prairie Swine Centre