Publication Date: July 4, 2010
Reference: 2009 Annual Report, Prairie Swine Centre pg 24-26
Country: Canada
Summary:
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The objective of this study was to examine the interaction between group size and alley width on the ease and speed of movement of near-market pigs. Pigs were moved in different group sizes through a three-sided simulated handling course, in which alley width could be changed. Data were collected on heart rate, duration, handling and behavioural measures. Moving a group of 4 or 8 animals is preferred for minimizing stress and alley width of 0.9m appears to be most conducive to easy handling.