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Data Protection Declaration
Imprint
Combining the 'eye of the stockman' and precision farming techniques to improve pig welfare
Project
Project code: 2815ERA05D
Contract period: 15.03.2016
- 14.03.2019
Budget: 112,306 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research
Together with farmers, the aim of PigWatch is to develop animal-based measurements in order to avoid the pain, the frustration and negative emotional states associated with tail biting and aggression in pigs. Animal-based warning signals will be developed to identify tail biting and aggressive behavior on farms and, if possible, even be able to predict. It includes the development of precision farming techniques. In addition, animal-based measurements are used to monitor the occurrence of tail biting and skin lesions by automatically collected data in the slaughterhouse. These data allow the comparison (Bench Marking) between farms and monitor the effectiveness of approaches to prevent tail biting and aggression. The Community of pig farmers will be involved throughout the project via operation with focus groups. In WP1 (T1.1 - T1.4) will develop solutions on farms. In T1.1 focus groups are formed to discuss and improve protocols for the evaluation of injurious behaviors. In T1.2 techniques will be developed that can detect or predict injurious behaviors. In T1.3 a technology will be developed, that will detect the occurrence and the position of fresh lesions. In T1.4 the focus groups develop protocols and apply these as well as the techniques of T1.2 and T1.3. In WP2 (T2.1 - T2.3) data collection protocols will be developed at the abattoir. In T2.1 visual detection of tail lesions will be developed at the abattoir. In T2.2 the system from T1.3 will be installed at the abattoir in order to detect skin lesions. In T2.3 the system of T2.1 will be implemented at commercial slaughter lines and the effects of the feedback to the farms will be evaluated.
Section overview
Subjects
- Animal health
- Farm animal behaviour
