LPT 312: Abattoir Practices and Animal Products Technology (1+1)

PIG LAIRAGE

Dimension of the pens 

• Bacon and small porkers - 0.6 m² /animal 
• Heavy pigs                         - 0.74 m² /animal 
• Pig pens are constructed with solid walls.
• Rails used should be stronger than required for sheep lairage 
• The lower horizontal rails of the pen should not be more than 15 cm apart to prevent pigs putting their heads between the rails.
• The pens are long and narrow to allow more pigs to rest against the walls. 
• Automatic filling and emptying of the pens is achieved by controlled lifting/driving gates.
• The system is said to improve welfare standards with reduction of damage due to fighting.
• Two single files are employed in the race section where some manual assistance is required.
• A fine water spray and/or litter in the lairage pens are useful means of reducing fighting among pigs, cooling them and reducing the incidence of pale, soft, exudative (PSE) pork.