April 2, 2008

Study discovers pigs grow faster when they get along
 

Pigs that "get on" better in a group, tend to invest less energy in fighting among each other.

The study by the Dutch Institute for Pig Genetics (IPG) and the Genomics Centre of Wageningen University said it is possible to select pigs and to breed them with a particular social behaviour.

The study shows that the interaction between one pig and another has a big effect on growth. According to Wageningen researcher, Piter Hijma, "by mixing socially-interactive pigs with a group of other pigs, the latter group would grow quicker.

As to how much profit such a selection process delivers in terms of quicker growth, both organisations are unsure at present and they are presently conducting further research into the area.

Still, producers may get to profit from the discovery.

Hijma hopes that further research will show that there is a connection with animal welfare. Such a research would have multiple benefits: pigs on better welfare, producers happy with profits and animal welfare and the public appeased.