Potential welfare and production consequences of overstocking finisher pigs

Stocking density for finisher pigs isn’t as straightforward as it may seem. External factors can cause the optimal stocking density to vary between farms, and this may also change over time, writes welfare and health expert Dr Monique Pairis-Garcia. Floor space provided for finisher pigs has long been discussed in the industry and studied in university settings. Finishing pigs require enough space (square metres or square feet per animal) to accommodate for their physical body size, taking