Name the common identification methods used in pig farming. Discuss the welfare implications of different identification methods?

      Pig farming

Piggery or Pig farming is rearing and upbringing of local pigs as farm animals generally for meat (pork). Pigs are omnivorous with an exclusive skill to alter food waste and agricultural by-products into the meat. They are fast developing animals with a feed alteration proportion of 3:1.

Pig rearing is cost-effective due to the following reasons:

·         Pigs have high fertility, high feed change efficacy, early development, small age group interval and comparatively require lesser space.

·         Pigs are versatile animals providing meat and many valued byproducts like fat, bristles etc.

Identification Processes of pig farming

Animal ID is essential for the recording of several supervision parameters, treatment and killing. Pigs need to be separately recognized throughout life for management and traceability of animals for safety or assurance systems. The general identification measures are: -

1.      Ear clipping / Ear notching

2.      Ear tagging /Micro-chipping

3.      Tattooing

1.      Ear clipping / Ear notching

Ear clipping/notching is completed by using U or V designed cutting forceps for ID. New-born animals are main candidates for ear notching, as they will require it for identification purposes from a very early age. Ear notching is marked on both ears, with the position and number of notches suggesting different things. The right ear is used for the identification of the litter number. Pigs in the same litter must have the identical ear notch in the right ear. The left ear is showed specific identification for the respective pig in the litter.

2.      Ear Tagging / Microchipping

The most common technique of categorizing pigs is through tagging with soft ear or neck tags. Ear tags are applied to ears by using tag applicator. They bring an optical number.

A technology-enabled ID is through RFID (radio frequency identification) by using a transponder to communicate the animals’ data and location. The microprocessor chip is a transponder chip implanted behind ears using a needle and distinct syringe. Electronic implants are transistors fenced in very small non-reactive implantations that are placed below the skin at the base of the ear. They will collect an extensive variety of data that can be read using a microchip reader and associated mobile.

3.      Tattooing

Pigs may be tattooed with a recognizing number. Tattooing is the most consistent technique of ID either as the main method or as a backup. It is generally common between pig farmers.

The benefits of tattooing are:

·         An enduring form of identification

·         Consistent

·         Fast

·         Simple

·         Moveable

·         Appropriate for every phase - piglet to a farm to the slaughterhouse to market

·         Economical

In this process, letters and numbers are tattooed by using a sequence of pointed steel dyes on the inside of the ear or the skin of the neck area behind the ear. Liable on the age, size, and gender of the pig, the dyes can vary in various dimensions from 8 – 16 mm.

Welfare Disputes in different ID procedures

The animal welfare benefits of identification procedures comprise:

·         Traceability / quick ID of pigs with the risk of the sickness permitting rapid treatment or euthanasia so reducing suffering related to the ailment.

·         Healthier observing of pigs with distinct needs.

·         Allow quick identification of poor wellbeing or cruelty cases as part of welfare checking.

Though, all the identification procedures cause fear, pain and discomfort. Ear notching is achieved without anaesthesia or pain release. Afterwards, ear notching piglets can effort to escape, squeal and head shake, all behaviours representing piglets find the technique worrying & painful. Tagging must be performed rapidly with negligible stress to pigs. Confirm good preventive system. Check tags are fresh and in working order. If essential, confirm that the antiseptic/disinfectant solution is accessible to clean pliers and/or ears. Different other procedures of identification, ear notching is not officially essential and is instead an intentional on-farm management choice. While other methods of identification procedures like ear tagging or tattooing may be required due to the welfares to animals for traceability. Non-invasive approaches such as biometric identifiers are well-being friendly.