Low staw coverage
What To Look For:
Less than 5cm depth of straw the majority of the lying area
Additional information:
Less than 5cm depth of straw across the majority of the lying area.
Whilst straw covers all the requirements for pig enrichment and keeps pigs usefully occupied, it has additional benefits in providing a thermally and physically comfortable lying area. Providing low straw coverage will reduce pigs’ comfort when lying, and will disrupt resting behaviour. Low amounts of straw will restrict its availability to pigs as enrichment and may induce competition for comfortable lying areas and for straw as enrichment.
Change subtitle “Suggestions” to “Suggested Actions” and replace text under that heading with:
Aim to provide at least 5cm depth of straw across the majority of the lying area. Where pigs maintain clean straw, it can be topped up regularly, rather than replaced. If pigs regularly foul and waste straw, assess ventilation and lying patterns to ensure pigs are using the lying area as the dry, warm area of the pen; remove fouled straw.
Ensure that weekend workers have clear instructions on straw provision.
Suggestions:
Aim to provide at least 5cm depth of straw across the majority of the lying area. Where pigs maintain clean straw, it can be topped up regularly, rather than replaced. If pigs regularly foul and waste straw, assess ventilation and lying patterns to ensure pigs are using the lying area as the dry, warm area of the pen; remove fouled straw.
Ensure that weekend workers have clear instructions on straw provision.
Additional material:
Action for Productivity 2: Strawing up