Computer vision techniques are becoming increasingly popular for monitoring pig behavior. For instance, object detection models allow us to detect the presence of pigs, their location, and their posture. The performance of object detection models can be affected by variations in lighting conditions (e.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWhile several countries impose minimum light requirements for pig housing, it remains unknown whether these requirements are beneficial for pig welfare. Therefore, we aim to review the current knowledge on the effects of light on pig welfare. In this paper, we explain concepts defining light, discuss the relevance of vision for pigs and systematically review the effects of light on pig welfare.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWith an ongoing transition towards the use of Light Emitting Diodes, more knowledge is needed on which light settings optimise sustainability parameters in pig production. We studied the effects of four light intensities on social, environmental and economic sustainability indicators, including ammonia emissions, space use, pen fouling, weight gain, carcass quality, perception of the stockkeeper, costs of the light system, and use of drinking water, electricity and medicines. Light treatments included a low (45 lux), medium (198 lux) and high (968 lux) uniform intensity, and a spatial gradient treatment ranging from 71 lux in the front to 330 lux in the back of each pen.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe feeding behaviour of individual growing-finishing pigs can be continuously monitored using sensors such as electronic feeding stations (EFSs), and this could be further used to monitor pig welfare. To make accurate conclusions about individual pig welfare, however, it is important to know whether deviations in feeding behaviour in response to welfare issues are shown only on average or by each individual pig. Therefore, this study aimed (1) to quantify the individual variation in feeding behaviour changes in response to a range of welfare issues, and (2) to explain this individual variation by quantifying the responses to welfare issues for specific subgroups of pigs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe effect of light intensity has been explored in relation to endocrine functions and reproduction in pigs, but effects on health and behaviour are scarcely documented. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different light intensities on behaviour, health and growth of growing-finishing pigs. An experiment was conducted on a commercial farm equipped with light-emitting diode-based luminaires creating four light intensity treatments: low (45 lux), medium (198 lux), high (968 lux) and spatial gradient of intensity (from 71 lux to 330 lux).
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