Experimental evaluation of two husbandry methods for growing-finishing pigs

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of an alternative husbandry method for growing-finishing pigs on animal welfare, growth performance, carcass and meat quality traits, and its environmental impact. Sawdust-shave bedding with free access to an outdoor area (2,4 m2/pig) (O) was compared with a conventional system (totally slatted floor, 0,65 m2/pig) considered as control (C). The experiment was repeated three times in spring, summer and winter, each replicate involving 2 groups of 10 pigs (castrated males and females) in each system, for a total of 120 pigs.During rearing, O pigs spent twice more time on exploration activities (specially towards the bedding) than C pigs.Sensitivity to pathologies of the respiratory tract was lower for the O than C pigs. The volatilization of ammonia was not influenced by the husbandry method, but the L system led to a high decrease in the level of offensive odours. Growth rate was higher for O than C pigs (+ 10%) due to their higher feed intake, resulting in a higher body weight at slaughter for the formers (+ 7 kg). O pigs exhibited higher mean back fat depth and lower lean meat content (- 2,0 points) than C pigs. The O system did not influence pH1, but led to a lower pHu in the Biceps femoris and Semimembranosus muscles and to higher drip losses in the Longissimus, but also higher intramuscular fat content. Sensory analyses and consumer tests remain to be performed to evaluate the influence of husbandry methods on eating quality and product acceptability.