Feeding and housing boars after puberty without castration allowsfor good performance and low boar taint

Abstract

Finishing entire male pigs after puberty is not common in Europe due to aggression and boar taint. Alternatives to surgical castration or immunocastration should be explored as the production of entire males can also increase the productivity and sustainability of swine production. This study evaluated the performance, welfare, health, and meat quality of heavier pigs (from 95 to 135 kg) raised without castration. A factorial experiment consisting of 2 housing conditions (H1 control, H2 improved) × 3 diets (D1 – control diet, D2 – 10% beet pulp, D3 – 5% beet pulp + 4% Fibrofos) with 60 entire males randomly allocated to 6 pens, 23 to 30 weeks of age, was conducted using a Pietrain × (Large White × Landrace) cross. Treatment effects were evaluated with respect to growth, carcass yield, skin lesions, cortisol, hemogram, skatole, androstenone and meat physicochemical characteristics. Improved housing with more headspace, larger feeders, extra drinkers, environmental enrichment (organic toys), and group stability until slaughter led to a significant decrease in androstenone levels and benefited animal health and welfare without compromising performance. In addition, diets with inulin from Fibrofos or sugar beet pulp allowed to significantly reduce skatole content. Due to the price, beet pulp is more sustainable and its 10% inclusion did not negatively affect either intake or performance. Raising entire male pigs for carcasses with low boar taint is be possible if adequate space, environmental enrichment, and specific feeds are provided.