Animal care and economic implications are very involved in space allowance for finishing pig production. Space allowance and group size was investigated along with productivity measurements. For both large and small groups, average daily gain was reduced when space allowance decreased at around the same point (k = 0.033 – 0.036). In the final weeks, lameness occurred more often in smaller pens. Pigs also had fewer meals and less time was spent eating indicating a reduction in appetite. Productivity along with health and behaviour are affected by space allowance.
Space Allowance for Finishing Pigs Affects Productivity, Health and Behaviour (full article)
