NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Swine Welfare
NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Swine Welfare
(306) 966-7151
WCVM, UofS, 52 Campus Dr., Saskatoon, SK
Search

Practical alternatives for managing castration pain in piglets

Research Team:

  • MSc Student: Erin Davis
  • Supervisor: Dr. Yolande Seddon
  • Project Members: Jennifer Brown – Prairie Swine Centre

Project Timeline:

  • May 2016 to  January 2020

Funding Agency:

Background:

Surgical castration of piglets is a painful procedure used to reduce boar taint, sexual behaviours, and aggression. Recent requirements in Canada state that an analgesic must be administered to control post-procedural pain.

Project Objectives:

  • To evaluate the effects of piglet age and timing of analgesic administration on the piglets’ response to castration.

Value of this research:

This research is aimed at improving piglet welfare by providing producers with evidence-based management strategies for piglet pain control following castration. Reducing the pain and stress of castration is important for humane production, supporting societal acceptance of pork production.

Links to results:

Results available in Erin Davis’ MSc thesis.