Group characteristics influence the performance of individual commercially raised pigs

It is has been well documented that the performance of group housed pigs is considerably lower than the performance of their genetic contemporaries when housed singularly in idealistic environments (Black et al. 2001). The review by Black et al. (2001) suggested that within commercial environments group housed pigs had depressed feed intakes and efficiency of feed usage as well as a tendency toward increased fat deposition. Undoubtedly management, environmental and within group interactions all contribute to the sub optimal performance of commercially grown pigs. The review by Black et al. (2001) listed numerous factors as contributing to this sub optimal performance including; group size, stocking density, air quality and cleanliness of the environment, microbial load and disease, climate, pig temperament and a pigs physiological response to stress.