Animal Health

We are delving into the health and welfare of pigs and other livestock. Looking at diverse animal species, analyzing the microbiome, assessing parasitic profiles, and monitoring stress and immune responses in a free-range setting.

Pigs and mobile phones

In an effort to enhance animal welfare in mixed free-range systems (MFS), researchers are adapting the PIGLOW protocol, a user-friendly app originally developed for assessing the welfare of outdoor pigs. This protocol, derived from international welfare quality standards is being evaluated for its effectiveness in the field.

Health monitoring

The focus of the research extends to monitoring the health and welfare of pigs integrated with other livestock, like sheep. This involves observing their interactions across different seasons, analyzing various health indicators such as growth, feed conversion, and immune responses. And checking for antimicrobial resistance and parasites.

Stress and vitamins

We are also investigating the positive physiological impacts of free-range management on pigs. This includes analyzing biomarkers like cortisol and vitamin D levels in hair samples, as well as comparing haematology and biochemistry profiles in relation to the forage and fauna available to the pigs in different seasons.

This comprehensive approach aims to refine animal welfare protocols and contribute to healthier, more sustainable free-range farming practices.

Preliminary results

Scientists found that pigs in free-range environments had different levels of vitamin D, which can be linked to their overall health. They measured vitamin D levels across different groups of pigs and found that those living outdoors generally had higher levels, especially in the summer due to increased exposure to sunlight.

Parasites and bacteria

They also looked for parasites in the pigs and found that while some pigs had them, the numbers were low. This suggests that living outdoors might not significantly increase the risk of parasite infections. Interestingly, the study also examined the pigs' gut bacteria and found that it changed with the seasons and varied depending on where the pigs lived.

A variety of farms and animals

In Italy, researchers visited various farms with different animals, including pigs, and found that the way animals are managed varies a lot depending on the farm's location and size. In Norway, the focus was on farms where pigs live with trees, and in Slovenia, the study involved a local pig breed living outdoors with cows, donkeys, and sheep. These different setups provide insights into how various environments and cohabitation with other animals can influence pigs' health and welfare.

Potential infectious dangers

The scientists studied the microbiome (the collection of microorganisms) of animals in low-input farms in Transylvania, Romania.

They found a variety of bacteria, including some like E. coli and Proteus vulgaris, which could potentially be harmful to humans (like farm handlers and veterinarians) due to their zoonotic potential (ability to transfer from animals to humans). They noticed changes in the types of bacteria found on the animals and in their environment with the seasons. Interestingly, the pastures mainly had gram-positive bacteria, while the areas where the animals lived (paddocks) had more gram-negative bacteria.

They also found that many of these bacteria were resistant to several common antibiotics, which is a concern for both the animals and humans in contact with them.

As for parasites, the researchers found that fattening pigs had more types of parasites than piglets and sows. They used various methods to assess the pigs' stress levels and immune responses. The results showed that the pigs had a low level of stress, regardless of the farm type. The immune response in pigs varied with age, with adults showing a different response pattern than younger pigs.

More results to follow

More testing and analysis is yet to be done in the project. Stay tuned for more results and conclusions in the coming year!