Pigs are the third most commonly consumed animal in the United Kingdom. Pig farming is typically separated into grower pigs which are raised for their flesh and sow pigs which are repeatedly impregnated to birth grower pigs.
Grower pigs
Breeding pigs
Birth
Natural life expectancy
Farming Practices
Farrowing Crates
Mother pigs are put into small individual cages for six weeks at a time while giving birth
Read moreIn British farming
Piglet Thumping
Piglets deemed weak or unprofitable are inflicted with blunt force trauma until they are dead
Read moreIn British farming
Early Death
Pigs die before making it to slaughter due to the low welfare conditions they are raised in
Read moreIn British farming
Artificial Insemination
Mother pigs are forcibly impregnated with tubes containing semen that are pushed into the cervix
Read moreIn British farming
Tail Mutilations
Piglets tails are removed to prevent injuries that arise due to the low welfare conditions they are raised in
Read moreIn British farming
Tooth Mutilations
Pigs teeth are clipped or ground to prevent injuries that arise due to the low welfare conditions they are raised in
Read moreIn British farming
Genital Mutilations
Male pigs are castrated to make the taste of their flesh more desirable
Read moreIn British farming
Ear Mutilations
Piglets ears are tagged or tattooed as a method of identification
Read moreIn British farming
Repeated Pregnancy Cycles
Mother pigs are repeatedly impregnated and killed once their piglet production declines
Read moreIn British farming
Indoor Rearing
After weaning pigs spend their entire lives indoors to be fattened for slaughter
Read moreIn British farming
Unsuitable Transport
Pigs are transported during hot temperatures that are known to cause distress and suffering
Read moreIn British farming
Ineffective Stunning
Pigs stunned using electronarcosis regain consciousness after their first stunning
Read moreIn British farming
Painful Deaths
Pigs are killed using high carbon dioxide concentrations that are known to cause pain, fear and distress
Read moreIn British farming