What is boar taint and how can it be prevented?
As male pigs reach puberty, they start producing andosterone, a male sex hormone, and skatole, a digestive by-product formed in...
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What are the animal welfare issues associated with pig production?
In Australia, pigs farmed for meat may be housed in intensive indoor, semi-indoor (outdoor-bred) or outdoor (free-range) farming systems. Intensive... -
What is the difference between, free range, outdoor bred, organic, sow-stall free, RSPCA Approved?
‘Free range’, ‘outdoor bred’, ‘organic’ and ‘sow-stall free’ are terms that are applied to animal-based food products, such as meat... -
What are the RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme standards for pigs?
Through the RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme the RSPCA works closely with farmers committed to raising pigs to higher animal welfare standards. Since releasing our first... -
What are the animal welfare issues associated with different stunning methods for pigs at slaughter?
In Australia, it is legally required that pigs are stunned prior to slaughter. The purpose of stunning is to ensure... -
How are pigs farmed in Australia?
Pigs are intelligent, sociable and inquisitive animals. Historically pigs were farmed as an additional source of income in the dairy... -
What is a mating stall for pigs and is it different to a sow stall?
A mating stall is a crate used to hold a female pig for artificial insemination. A mating stall allows the... -
Why is environmental enrichment important for pig welfare?
Providing environmental enrichment may be an effective strategy to improve animal welfare by enabling positive affective (emotional) states and improving... -
Why is group housing important for pig welfare?
Pigs are intelligent, social animals, with a complex range of behaviours and needs. Group housing of pregnant pigs allows them... -
Why is wallowing important for pig welfare?
Wallowing is a natural behaviour which pigs are motivated to perform and, when given the opportunity, pigs will make their... -
What is mass killing?
Mass killing, or the humane killing of large numbers of farm animals, is at times required in the event of... -
What is the difference between a farrowing crate and a farrowing hut?
In indoor intensive systems, pregnant gilts/sows (female pigs) are moved to a farrowing crate, also known as a piglet protection... -
What are the animal welfare issues associated with imported pork?
All fresh pork products sold in Australia are from pigs raised in Australia, whereas imported pork products are either ‘small... -
What are some of the painful procedures experienced by pigs on farm?
RSPCA defines a painful farm animal husbandry procedure as any action that alters or removes a specific body part of... -
What are the animal welfare issues with mating stalls for pigs?
A mating stall is a crate used to hold a female pig for artificial insemination. In a mating stall, a... -
What are the animal welfare issues with farrowing crates for sows?
In Australia, most pigs are housed in intensive indoor systems. In these intensive systems, pigs may be confined and raised... -
What are the animal welfare issues with sow stalls?
In Australia, most pigs are housed in intensive indoor systems. In these intensive systems, pigs may be confined and raised...