Following the advice of EonA, Pali (livestock company and meat producer) has started providing play material for pigs at Van den Boogaart pig assembly centre in Veghel (NL).
At assembly centres pigs from different farms are gathered together. This sometimes leads to hierarchy fights that can cause a lot of stress among the animals. To reduce these fights, and to give pigs positive distraction, the holding pens now offer play balls on the floor after paying heed to our advice.
To provide pigs with the opportunity to root, investigate, chew and play and to reduce hierarchy fights, we recommended Pali attach chains or ropes with small balls (that the piglets can really sink their teeth into) to the pen walls and to sprinkle some straw, hay or Corn Cob Mix in the pens as soon as the pigs arrive. For practical and hygienic reasons Pali has chosen to experiment with playing balls on the floor. We are happy Pali is trialling the use of play material now. They will keep us informed about their experiences.
