Does access to open areas improve piglet welfare?

Researchers from India evaluated the impact of access to open area on piglets’ performance and welfare during summer. A lack of sweat glands and a thick subcutaneous fat layer increases piglets’ susceptibility to heat stress. This compromises health, welfare, performance, and productivity. In order to find out the impact of open areas on piglets’ welfare, the researchers selected 20 piglets (10 castrated male and 10 females) of 3 months of age for their trial. Each pen had a covered and