Welfare indicators
Dossier: Climate control and space allowance
Indicators to monitor pig welfare related to climate control and space allowance during transport.
The pigs’ physiological and behavioural needs are described under “Knowledge”.
The welfare of animals during transport is for a significant part dependent on being able to:
- thermoregulate effectively, including being able to access sources of water;
- on the ability of the animals to perform basic behaviours such as standing and lying, to adopt a normal position, to limit risks for injuries, stress and panic.
For both areas, i.e. ‘Climate control’ and ‘Space allowance’, indicators are suggested to facilitate welfare inspections. An overview of indicator factsheets for this topic can be found on the "Indicator factsheets" webpage.
Climate control
Indicators, fairly specific for pig welfare related to climate control are:
- Heat stress: Panting (high-frequent, open-mouth breathing), pumping (heavy abdominal breathing with open mouth).
- Cold stress: Shivering (vibration of body), huddling (lying on top of pig(s)).
- Body temperature: Normal body temperatures for slaughter pigs: 39.3 °C; piglets: 39.5 °C; multiparous sows: 38.3 °C (all values +/- 0.3 °C).
- Ambient temperature and humidity (see ‘Knowledge’).
Relevant links
- Panting and pumping, indicators of heat stress, indicator factsheet, EURCAW-Pigs
- Video showing signs of severe heat stress, FLI
- Huddling and shivering, indicators of cold stress, indicator factsheet, EURCAW-Pigs
- Transport guide extreme temperatures – Pigs, factsheet, EU Platform Animal Welfare, 2019
- Monitoring and evaluation of transported pigs, factsheet Animal Transport Guides Project, European Commission, 2018
- Guide to good practices for the transport of pigs, Animal Transport Guides project, 2017
- The welfare of animals during transport (details for horses, pigs, sheep and cattle), Scientific Committee on Animal Health and Animal Welfare, 2002
Space allowance
Indicators to assess space allowance are:
- Exhausted/fatigued animals: Animals are unable to get up or move, and show panting or reduced response to stimuli/reduced vigilance.
- Kg/m² or m²/animal: Taking into account the body weights/size of the animals.
Relevant links
- Exhaustion and fatigue, indicator factsheet, EURCAW-Pigs
- Monitoring and evaluation of transported pigs, factsheet Animal Transport Guides Project, European Commission, 2018
- Guide to good practices for the transport of pigs, Animal Transport Guides project, 2017
- The welfare of animals during transport (details for horses, pigs, sheep and cattle), Scientific Committee on Animal Health and Animal Welfare, 2002
Climate control/space allowance
Temperature and space allowance are connected:
High stocking density is a risk factor for overheating, i.e. especially in combination with elevated temperatures the risk for poor welfare and mortality is increased:
- Dead on arrival: Animals which are found dead on the floor in the vehicle or die during unloading.
Relevant links
- Dead on arrival, indicator factsheet, EURCAW-Pigs
- Guide to good practices for the transport of pigs, Animal Transport Guides project, 2017