Effect of Environment on Pig’s Health

Ensuring animal well-being on farms necessitates good husbandry practices. The Directive 2008/120/EC, one of the most significant legal instruments governing pig husbandry practices, stipulates that group-housed pigs must have access to litter or other items that allow for occupation and exploration. The Commission Recommendation (EU) 2016/336 on the application of Council Directive 2008/120/EC, which was published in 2016, describes the different types of materials that can be utilised to enhance the welfare of animals. Straw is regarded as the best material for pig housing, according to the paper; however, materials that are classified as suboptimal—like wood bark—and materials of minor interest—like plastic toys—are frequently utilised in scientific study and practical applications. Therefore, the purpose of this work is to examine and organise the existing body of evidence about the effects of environmental enrichment on the welfare of pigs. The main concerns raised in this chapter are the effects of different enrichment methods on the decrease of aggressive behaviour, tail biting, and stereotyping during the pre-, post-, and fattening stages of pig production.