Reducing space density to improve pig growth and welfare (mEATquality Practice Abstract)

{Tool} Reducing space density to improve pig growth and welfare (mEATquality Practice Abstract). [Reduzierung der Besatzdichte zur Verbesserung des Wachstums und des Wohlbefindens von Schweinen (mEATquality Practice Abstract).] Creator(s): Coutant, Mathilde and Pedersen, L.J.. Issuing Organisation(s): AU - Aarhus University. (2025)

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Document available online at: https://meatquality.eu/training-materials/

Summary

You will find information about benefits of reducing space density, for example that pigs are able to maintain the functional areas of the pen: they can rest on the solid floor, have a better access to the feeder, and keep the pen clean. Also, with fewer pigs in the pen, competition for the feeder and the pen enrichments also decreases, which improves feed intake and helps prevent behavioural issues such as tail biting. You will also find practical recommendations.

EPrint Type:	Practice tool
Teaser:	Preventing behavioural and physiological issues and improving pig welfare, health, and growth.
What problem does the tool address?:	In conventional indoor farming, a standard space density of 0.7 m2 per pig results in crowded pens, especially in the last weeks of the fattening period. This leads to a range of behavioural issues including disturbed sleeping and feeding patterns, increased displacement and aggression. Besides reducing animal welfare, these issues can also impact feed intake, pen hygiene, and disease spread, ultimately affecting pig health and productivity.
What solution does the tool offer?:	Reducing the number of pigs in fattening pens can help prevent behavioural and physiological issues, improving pig welfare, health, and growth.
Country:	Denmark
Type of Practice Tool:	Practice abstracts
Keywords:	animal husbandry, swine, piglets, sows, animal health, animal welfare, animal housing, farm buildings, disease control
Agrovoc keywords:	Language Value URI English animal husbandry http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_8532 English swine http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_7555 English piglets http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_5872 English sows http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_7271 English animal health http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_431 English animal welfare http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_443 English animal housing http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_432 English farm buildings http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_10743 English disease control http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_2327
Subjects:	Animal husbandry > Health and welfare Animal husbandry > Production systems > Pigs
Research affiliation:	Denmark > AU - Aarhus University > AU, DJF - Faculty of Agricultural Sciences European Union > Organic Farm Knowledge European Union > Horizon 2020 > mEATquality
Horizon Europe or H2020 Grant Agreement Number:	101000344
Related Links:	https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/57479, https://meatquality.eu/, https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/57419, https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/54528, https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/54529, https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/54530, https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/54531, https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/54532, https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/54533, https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/54537, https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/54538, https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/54539
Project ID:	OFK
Deposited By:	Rüger, Madelaine Lea
ID Code:	57479
Deposited On:	30 Mar 2026 07:43
Last Modified:	30 Mar 2026 07:43
Document Language:	English, German/Deutsch, Danish/Dansk, Dutch/Nederlands, Italian/Italiano, Polish/Polski, Spanish/Español
Status:	Published

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