Keeping entire male pigs

This dossier aims to help Competent Authorities and other stakeholders with issues related to assessment of animal welfare in entire male pigs and how to minimize welfare problems in this type of production. The dossier is updated periodically by the EURCAW-Pigs team. The text is not legally binding.

Behavioural characteristics of entire males are influenced by sexual hormones and include an increased tendency for activity, aggression and sexual behaviours such as mounting. It is important to focus on how to minimize negative welfare consequences of these behaviours during raising. The most important factors seem to ensure stable social relationships, enrichment of pen environments to satisfy the increased activity levels, and to create possibilities for avoiding agonistic attacks (see ‘Show more’).