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FREE indispensable resources of information about pigs
Below are key FREE reports that provide authoritative information on raising pigs in a higher welfare way. Whether you wish to practice natural pig farming, free range or pig raising systems based on a factory farming mentality the information in the reports below will give you the knowledge to make informed decisions about how to maximise your pig welfare.
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Essential reading! Make sure you download the PDF case study section as well as the main report content (see links below). This is an excellent resource with lots of photographs that tells you in a clear, easy to understand way all aspects of pig behavior, what their welfare needs are and how best you can raise pigs in a way that respects their natures. Leave a donation to help CIWF fight for pig welfare. Every penny or cent will help.
http://www.ciwf.org.uk/includes/documents/cm_docs/2008/g/gap_book.pdf
http://www.ciwf.org.uk/includes/documents/cm_docs/2008/g/gap_pig_case_studies.pdf
FILM: Good Agricultural Practice Pig Production
Highly recommended! Watch this short 25 minute film that shows how the natural behavior of pigs is thwarted in intensive pig farming and what practical methods of higher welfare pig farming can do to respect pigs core needs. Includes interviews with farmers, scientists, supermarket buyer and a veterinarian.
http://www.ciwf.org.uk/resources/education/pig_production.aspx
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A must read. This landmark report by the European Union Scientific Veterinary Committees report " The Welfare of Intensively Kept Pigs" tells you pretty much everything you need to know about what is wrong with the way the majority of pigs are raised today and what needs to be done to improve the welfare situation of pigs. It looked at 1000’s of scientific studies on pig behavior and conditions in factory farms to recommend fundamental changes to the way pigs are intensively farmed. This is a must read for anyone raising pigs.
This Scientific Opinion on the welfare aspects of the castration of piglets report by the Scientific Panel on Animal Health and Welfare examines the effect of castration on piglets and explores ways in which piglets welfare can be improved.
This Scientific Opinion on the welfare of weaners and rearing pigs: effects of different space allowances and floor types looks at on the effects of different space allowances and floor types applicable to the welfare of weaners and rearing pigs.
This Scientific Opinion on animal health and welfare in fattening pigs in relation to housing and husbandry looks at all aspects of welfare including the effects of stocking density, including group size and grouping methods, space requirements and the impact of stall design and different flooring types taking into account different climatic conditions.
This Scientific Opinion on the animal health and welfare aspects of different housing and husbandry systems for adult breeding boars, pregnant, farrowing sows and unweaned piglets looks at the effects of stocking density, the implications of space requirements and the impact of stall design and different flooring types taking into account different climatic conditions, the latest developments of group housing systems for pregnant and farrowing sows with piglets through weaning and the latest developments of loose-house systems for sows in the service area and for farrowing sows with piglets through weaning.
This Scientific Opinion on the risks associated with tail biting in pigs and possible means to reduce the need for tail docking considering the different housing and husbandry systems (click here).
Free books to download or read online
Back to the future? These out-of-copyright books are well worth a read despite being somewhat dated. They are written by experts in their field at a time when scientific knowledge was still in its infancy but where good pig husbandry and management, based on years of practical hands-on experience, was high. Most of these books have good sections on the history of pigs breeds and breeding and they also have many relevant tips for raising healthy pigs (pig building and sty design, feed composition, pasture management, the need for fresh air, sunlight and exercise etc.). All the books have numerous black and white photographs of pigs. Have a read. There is much that we today can learn from their advice. I was particularly struck by the compelling case that is made for the practice of raising pigs in a mixed sty + pasture operations that was once the way to successfully raise pigs, an approach we seem to have largely forgotten today.
I am only listing the books that I have personally read below. Enjoy!
SWINE – Breeding, feeding and Management by William Dietrich
A must read: Of all the out of copyright books this is the one to read. Printed in 1910 and over 300 pages long, this book looks at all aspects of raising pigs in quite a modern, informed way. This was one of the first books to really use and report on the results and conclusions of trials done by the Experimental Research Stations that were being set up to improve pork production in the USA at the time. Many, if not most, of the key messages are certainly applicable today. The chapter on Shelter for Swine is notable for its plans and the description of benefits for a well lit piggery using natural light and the trough with swinging panel. The explanation of the nutrients (protein, carbohydrate and other elements) needed in feed for good pig growth and health is also very clear and if you are not too familiar with this aspect of pig raising, the book covers the general principles involved well.
Swine Husbandry in Canada by J.B. Spencer (1914)
A book you should read: This is a very interesting short book that looks at all aspects of swine husbandry as practiced in Canada. There is a good section on breeds and quite a focus on the scientific results of feeding different compositions of fresh feed. The section on pig housing is very good, and the observations made about progressive farmers and their pig housing on page 52 could well apply as a damning indictment of today's factory farmers. If you look at nothing else check out the plans for moveable pens, the well lit piggery and the trough with swinging front, all of which can be relevantly used today, and should be.
Forty Years Experience of a Practical Hog Man by A.J. Lovejoy
Recommended: Published 1914 by a one of the great characters of US pig farming this 168 page book contains an awful lot of worthwhile information and guidance on raising pigs. Unlike other swine books of the era there is nothing here on breeds, just a direct and knowledgeable focus on how to raise pigs successfully. It covers all the areas of pig raising you would expect. There are good descriptions, plans and pictures of various sty buildings and equipment – the set up and plans of the Myers swine house is definitely worth checking out as it’s a great example of how to raise pigs in sties with access to pasture. The book ends with a chapter full of Lovejoyisms espousing on all things pigs.
On the Domesticated Animals of the British Islands by David Low
A superb section on pigs. This celebrated work looks was the first comprehensive study of a variety of domesticated animals in the British Isles. The section on pigs remains a highlight and is well worth a read.
Biggle Swine Book by Jacob Biggle
Definitely worth reading: Printed in 1912 this is a very readable compact book covering all aspects of pig raising and husbandry. It contains lots of interesting advice and observations.
Printed in 1852 this is the first and oldest book on pigs. A fascinating read of social and pig history.
Worthwhile read: Published in 1919 (2nd edition) this is a very good book by one Britain's leading pig breeders. The book contains some good hands on advice and observations, is easy to read, and in my opinion is well worth a read.
Productive Swine Husbandry by G.E. Day
Published 1913 (2nd edition) this was a Lippingcotts Farm Manual series publication. It’s very comprehensive. If you’re really interested in learning about pig breeds this book could be for you. Well over a third of this 363 page book looks at the various main pig breeds in detail. There’s an interesting section on preparation methods for feed (cooking/steaming, grinding, wet v dry, soaking, fermenting) and their benefits, and a long chapter on feeding and management that has much of interest and relevance for today. It contains a number of descriptions and plans for various types of pig buildings.
Pigs - Breeds and Management by Sanders Spencer
Published in 1910 this is a worthwhile read by one of the great pig breeders of the UK.
Swine Husbandry in the United Kingdom and Denmark edited by J.D. Spencer
This is a 1909 report by a Commission from Canada looking at swine husbandry in the UK, Ireland, Denmark and Holland. It’s quite an interesting report of how pig farming was carried out in the various countries at this particular time and has some nice black and white photographs of pigs and pig raising operations. It is of more limited value to someone wanting to learn about raising pigs than the other books listed in this section.
Links to useful websites
Compassion in World Farming <http://www.ciwf.org.uk/>
Higher farm animal welfare campaigning organisation with some very useful pig welfare reports, videos and resources.
Soil Association <http://www.soilassociation.org/>
The U.K's leading organic farm organisation that grows and campaign for healthy, humane and sustainable food. Good information on raIsing high welfare pigs.
VIVA <http://www.viva.org.uk>
Higher welfare farmed animal campaign organisation that is determined to end cruelty to animals and to work for a saner, sustainable future.
Factoryfarming.com <http://www.factory-farming.com>
A very good site that lifts the lid on factory farming in the USA.
Aussiepigs.com <http://www.aussiepigs.com.au>
Exposes cruelty and abuse in the Australian pork industry and campaigns for higher welfare. Worth a look.
Pig Business <http://www.pigbusiness.co.uk>
An organsation that campaigns against large scale intensive pig factory farming.
Europa <http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/welfare/farm/index_en.htm>
European Commission website that is responsible for farm animal welfare standards across Europe. Their range of authorative reports into the pig industry by their standing veterinary committee make clear just how desperately higher pig animal welfare is needed.
Pig progress <http://www.pigprogress.net/>
Your portal on global pig production. Excellent on news of the pork industry. Sign up for their excellent weekly newsletter.
Pig 333 <http://www.pig333.com>
Site about the pig production chain that is aimed at veterinarians, farmers, etc. Contains articles by swine specialists on health, husbandry, as well as general news.
The pig site <http://www.thepigsite.com>
Global resource for all thing pig.
About pig farming <http://www.aboutpigfarming.com/pig-farms/>
A very good site that explains the key things you need to consider when thinking about starting to raise pigs.
Raising pigs for beginners <http://www.raisingpigs.net/>
A site that give tips for the back yard pig raiser.
Animal farm life <http://www.animalfarmlife.eu/index.html>
This website provides information about the lives of farm animals that cannot be found anywhere else in one place. Very good section on pig raising.
Pig farming in New Zealand <http://www.pigfarminginnz.co.nz/>
A site that looks ate the various types of pig farming that takes place in New Zealand. Good case studies.
Aussie pig farmers <http://www.aussiepigfarmers.com.au/>
Looks at the different styles of pig farming in Australia. Good site.
Australian Pig Farmers Free range pastured pork <http://www.australianpigfarmers.com.au/>
A great site that covers all the basics about raising free range pigs.
Littlepigfarm.com <http://littlepigfarm.com/>
A guide for those wanting to start organic pig farming.
Australian free range pastured pork association <http://www.freerangepork.com.au/>
All about free range pig farming.
Pork Provenace. co. uk <http://www.porkprovenance.co.uk/outdoorbred.asp>
Outlines the code of practice for labelling pork and pork products in the U.K..