Out of respect for the farmer involved, we will not disclose the name or location of the farm. However, during today’s heatwave, we visited several large Dutch pig farms to observe how the animals were coping with the extreme temperatures.
With outdoor temperatures reaching approximately 33°C, signs of heat stress were evident throughout the facility. Many of the pregnant sows were panting heavily and breathing rapidly, clear indicators that they were struggling to regulate their body temperature.
We observed that a large number of sows were avoiding the straw-covered lying area. During periods of extreme heat, a thick layer of straw can trap and retain warmth, making it more difficult for animals to dissipate body heat. In addition, sunlight entering through the windows further warmed parts of the resting area, causing many animals to seek cooler locations elsewhere in the pen.
As a result, the sections with slatted floors and more shade, where the water troughs were located, became heavily overcrowded. Areas intended primarily for walking, feeding, drinking, and defecating turned into the preferred resting places, as the pigs searched for relief from the heat
Although fans were installed in the building, no water-misting or evaporative cooling systems were present. Some sows appeared so desperate for relief that they attempted to lie in or against the water troughs to cool themselves down.
We also observed female pigs awaiting insemination being housed in small gestation crates, severely restricting their movement. Several of these animals were breathing rapidly and showed signs consistent with heat-related discomfort. During periods of extreme temperatures, the inability to move freely or seek cooler areas can further limit an animal’s ability to cope with heat stress.
