Dick Vet Masters students visit a pig unit - to discuss animal behaviour and welfare

The on-campus MSc Applied Animal Behaviour and Animal Welfare (AABAW) students were given the opportunity to see a working pig unit, allowing them to observe and discuss:

• the behaviour of growing pigs and recording relevant behaviours such as postures, feeding, fighting and mounting
• the issue of hunger in these animals
• the issue of accommodation, especially for pregnant sows

Students also looked at farrowing environments including the PigSAFE alternative free farrowing accommodation and learnt about suckling and teat orders in pigs.

For further information on the MSc AABAW - please visit www.ed.ac.uk/vet/animal-behaviour