ASSESSMENT AND INCIDENCE OF SKIN DAMAGE IN SLAUGHTER PIGS

Abstract

Documentation of animal welfare in the entire production chain is an increasing demand from authorities and the market. The aim of this study was to establish a scale by which skin damage in living pigs as well as in carcasses can be evaluated and to investigate when the skin damage arises. The study included 240 pigs from six commercial herds. It is possible to establish a scale for assessing skin damage on the live pig that expresses the corresponding skin damage assessed on the carcass. Furthermore, the results indicate that skin damage is primarily caused by aggression. A four point scale was used, but it can be argued that a three point scale would be more operational.