The domestic pig is perceived as an animal with intelligence and
character and yet, in the industrialized world, the majority of people
have had little or no contact with them. Pigs are subject to a wide
range of environments from the tropics to the sub-arctic, ranging from
small-scale, extensive systems to large-scale intensive systems. They
may spend their whole life on one farm or may be subject to
long-distance transport multiple times. Not surprisingly, many aspects
of their life experiences can impact their welfare.
This book brings together a team of leading pig welfare research
scientists to review the natural history of the pig, the welfare of pigs
at different stages of life and to indicate what the future holds in
terms of pig welfare. The text is aimed at researchers and teachers
working in veterinary and animal science together with those working in
the pig industry and for governmental and non-governmental animal
welfare organizations.