Estonian University of Life Sciences Keeping pigs in a free range system Prepared: Merko Vaga 2009 Introduction In organic farming, it is mandatory to let pigs have an outdoor area and a chance to go outside if they choose to. Also in conventional farming, keeping sows in groups with straw bedding will become a law in the near future. Therefore many farmers have started to think about going organic. Keeping pigs outside has lot of positive and also negative aspects that need to be considered before changing the production. It is obvious that in intensive production having a pasture for the pigs is almost impossible, but maybe the welfare of the animals and the consumers willingness to pay more for the naturally kept and raised pig products, can also be profitable. Many studies have been made to find out what is the best way to keep organic pigs outside, but the outcomes are often different. In this case study I will concentrate mostly on the different ways of how and where to keep pigs outdoors and some direct problems with the outdoor systems. 2 Table of contents Introduction............................................................................................................................ 2 Table of contents.................................................................................................................... 3 Keeping pigs outdoors ........................................................................................................... 4 Outdoor walking areas ....................................................................................................... 5 Free range and paddocks.................................................................................................... 6 Contamination of the environment ................................................................................ 7 Housing and shades............................................................................................................ 9 Fencing............................................................................................................................. 11 Abstract ................................................................................................................................ 14 References............................................................................................................................ 15 3 Keeping pigs outdoors There are many possible ways of how to give pigs the possibility to get outside. In the five freedoms of animals the fourth freedom is “Freedom to Express Normal Behaviour“(www.fawc.org), and since in the nature pigs like to root and walk a lot, they should have an outdoor area. In organic farming it is mandatory that animals need to have a possibility to go outside all year around (www.pikk.ee). At the same time the farmer must take into consideration the natural conditions and the age of the pigs. In Estonia the weather conditions can wary a lot during the year, in summer the max temperature can be over 30 C and in the winter the temperatures can plummet below -40 C (www.tlu.ee/geo2). So when keeping pigs on the paddocks it is imperative that pigs have some shelters where they can hide from the rain and strong winds. To protect pigs from the strong sun and high temperatures they must have possibilities to take water or mud baths (picture 1), because pigs can’t sweat like most other animals. The mud layer on the skin also protects against the sunburn,Picture 1. www.depts.ttu.edu/porkindustryinstitute gnats, flies and other external parasites. (A.Luik, et al. 2008) In general, people farrow indoors because it greatly reduces mortality and morbidity. Farrowing outdoors can still be optimal economically though, because some consumers will pay more for pigs farrowed outdoors. Even if consumers don't pay more, it can pay to farrow outdoors because the low cost of facilities balances out the extra deaths - explaining why outdoor farrowing is still common in warm places (Wooly Pigs, 2009) There are environmental and social issues that will continue to have an impact on confinement operations. Compared with pigs raised indoors, pasture systems significantly reduce problems associated with animal-rights groups, health of operators, and environmental concerns associated with dust, odour, and waste disposal. Pasture-based systems have a "built-in" waste management system because hogs disperse their waste over the land as they graze. Finally, hogs raised outdoors often have fewer problems with 4 respiratory diseases and foot and leg problems than hogs reared in confinement. Healthier hogs mean less antibiotic use which also appeals to many consumers. (Dr. D.W. "Bud" Kennedy, 1998) Outdoor walking areas Pigs should have access to walking area all year around, if the weather and health allow. If there is enough free walking space for the pigs then it is not necessary to pigs out during the winter. (A. Luik, et al. 2008). The most common Picture 2. (Ragnar Leming, 2003, European organic livestock farming) walking areas are just small pens (picture 2) with concrete flooring and iron fencing where pigs can sniff the fresh air. Minimum requirements for the size of the outdoor walking areas are: • Sow with piglets(till 40 days old): 2,5m2/sow • Weaners (over 40 days old): 0,4m2/pig • Dry sow: 1,9m2/sow • Fattening pigs: o – 50 kg – 0,6 m2 o – 85 kg – 0,8 m2 o – 110 kg – 1 m2 (Eesti Mahepõllumajanduse Sihtasutus, 2009) 5 Free range and paddocks The free range system means that pigs are kept on the paddocks all the time and the shelters are light huts (picture 3). On pastures pigs are very good at rooting and getting rid of weeds. They root up to 30 cm deep and effectively destroying weed roots. It is important that the pigs would have plenty of Picture 3. www.depts.ttu.edu/porkindustryinstitute area to run around and that the dinking and feeding areas are constantly moved. Otherwise these areas, because they are most visited areas, get problems with leaching and environmental contamination. (A.Luik, et al. 2008) One of the most important decisions to be made is where locate a pasture-based system. An area of land should be chosen that is well-drained and large enough to accommodate herd size. A land requirement of four to six sows per acre is a good place to start, but if pasture is to be utilized as feed, this stocking rate may need to be decreased. Other factors to consider when selecting a site may depend on how you plan to manage your hogs with other enterprises. A two-litter pasture system operates on a 6-month cycle, with sows farrowing in the spring and in the fall, when temperatures are relatively mild. This system fits well as an alternative enterprise on a crop or vegetable farm where labour needs are characterized by being intense at times (planting and harvesting) and less intense at other times. Farrowing, which require intense use of labour, can be scheduled to utilize labour available when crop labour needs are low. Hogs can also be rotated on land with crops to take advantage of the improved soil fertility from manure left on the ground. (Dr. D.W. "Bud" Kennedy, 1998) The amount of land required to operate a free range piggery will depend on climate, soil type, land topography, pasture cover and other factors such as the pigs' age at weaning and at sale. Don't forget to factor in the need for on-site vegetative buffer zones and adequate separation distances when determining lot size/choosing a site. A general guide is 6 around 500 sq m per sow from farrowing to weaning and around 50 sq m per growing pig (up to 30 kg). This excludes areas for laneways, roads, yards, etc. The layout of paddocks will vary due to size of the herd, soil type, topography, and land area available. A minimum number of paddocks should be constructed to accommodate the different management phases (gestation, farrowing, nursery, etc.). If pastures are to be utilized, the number of paddocks will vary depending on frequency of pasture rotation. Pasture rotation will help maintain the pasture Picture 4. (State of Queensland, 2003) stand, nutrient quality of the pasture, and reduce damage of pasture due to rooting. Furthermore, the layout of the system will depend a lot on personal preference. A wagon- wheel design (picture 4) may fit the area and can lower labour needs because the distance travelled when rotating hogs among paddocks is reduced. Site free range piggeries on relatively flat land with a grading that will minimise water logging and with soils that encourage strong vegetative growth. Avoid land that is contaminated with poisonous plants and parasites that may affect pig health, and avoid soil types that are prone to erosion as this can be a problem in free range pig farms.. Without the protection of vegetative ground cover, exposed soil is prone to erosion, particularly in wetter climates and on steeper slopes. (State of Queensland, 2003) Contamination of the environment Surface water, such as dams and streams, may be at risk of contamination by runoff from free range pig farms, or from the movement of pigs themselves. Finer soil particles that wash into ditches and/or watercourses along with dung and urine will add nitrogen, phosphorus and possibly pesticides to the water, causing environmental damage. Picture 5, www.depts.ttu.edu/porkindustryinstitute 7 You can minimise or prevent these impacts by bearing in mind the rainfall and flood records for the area and creating a landform and drainage system to protect watercourses: 1. Site paddocks across slopes and