Pigs less stressed thanks to distraction material

Pigs' play materials

Pigs' play material: improve animal health and growth

Pigs are social and curious animals by nature. They spend much of their day exploring their surroundings with their noses in search of novelty and surprises. Breeding distraction materials provide such stimuli, giving games and entertainment to pigs.

Lack of these stimuli increases stress and causes undesirable behaviors such as tail bites and damage to farm surfaces.

Improve animal health

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Normative: are you following it?

According to the European regulation Directive 2008/120/CE, enrichment materials are key to improving animal welfare by mimicking natural stimuli. Following these regulations not only promotes healthier animals but also reduces the need for tail-cutting and helps you avoid potential sanctions from regulatory authorities.

Each member state of the European Union then created its own laws to implement the regulation. However, the 3 categories into which enrichment materials have been divided remain important.

Ropes and sheets

Completely edible, ropes and sheets are a fun option for piglets and pigs. Made from cotton and jute, these items are perfect for play and nesting.

Ropes

Optimal material. Available in different thicknesses and lengths. There is also a Jute version with germ-free treatment.Discover all the ropes

Jute sheets

Optimal material. Also sold in large quantities, these materials are great for both nesting and recreational use. The germ-free option ensures extra safety for your pigs.Discover all jute sheet

Traditional material

The most traditional pig toys are made of rubber and plastic. They are bite-resistant and do not cause harm to pigs because of their flexibility.

Easyfix Rubber Luna

Suboptimal material. Made of pig bite-resistant rubber, they are durable and multiple animals can play with them together. There are different versions of the Easyfix Luna, depending on the age of the pig.Discover Easyfix products

Pigs ball

Marginal material. With a diameter of 30cm, this ball is made of very durable polyethylene. It is to be filled with sand or stones and can be secured at the top with a chain.Discover pigs ball

Discover all the traditional toys

On our website you can find many other traditional solutions, such as play bars and chains. Take a look at other solutions.Discover all traditional toys

Happier and cleaner pigs: use functional areas

Pigs, by nature, tend to divide space according to their activities: there are areas dedicated to resting, others for feeding and still others for defecation. This innate behavior can be used by breeders to maintain a cleaner environment and to reduce cross-contamination between different areas of the pen.

For example, placing straw in resting areas stimulates their instinct to explore and play, incentivizing them to stay in that area longer and keep it cleaner. They will tend to defecate in another area so they can enjoy the stimulus of straw for longer.

Control of Ammonia Emissions

Reducing the contamination of resting and play areas also contributes to lower ammonia emissions, as droppings are concentrated in specific areas, often away from the animals and their interaction spaces

Different animals, different games

Different categories of pigs have different needs for environmental enrichment

Fattening pigs

Fattening pigs need durable materials since they can be quite forceful. Raw feed is a good enrichment material, preferably provided on an enclosed floor or in boxes to avoid dispersion, which reduce material waste. It is essential to avoid a single animal monopolizing the material, reducing the effectiveness of enrichment for other pigsView Minera block

Pregnant sows

Pregnant sows might feel unsatisfied with limited feed, so adding enrichments like straw or grass silage can help. Alongside their feed, provide fabrics and bulky materials to meet their needs for both fullness and exploration.View Jute

Suckled piglets

Piglets begin exploring their environment as early as the first few days of life, and this behavior is crucial for a healthy transition to solid feed. Ensure that enrichment materials are accessible to both piglets and sows to encourage play and social interaction. Suitable materials include paper strips, cotton ropes, and jute.Discover all the ropes

Pigs health is not "a game"

To keep pigs from getting aggressive with each other, make sure they have enrichment items in their space. These items help them use up their energy in a positive way

Less aggressive behavior

To prevent aggressive behavior among pigs, make sure they have enrichment material in their space. They will use their energy to play instead of biting their breeding mates.

Improved hygiene in the barn

The placement of enrichment material influences where pigs choose to defecate and urinate. This means that resting and feeding areas will remain cleaner, decreasing the number of infections and contamination.

Improved productivity

When you provide enrichment materials yourself, pigs begin to associate human presence with pleasant experiences, such as food or new toys. This leads to better cooperation during moving, weighing and health checks.

Improved growth

Pigs with access to enrichment materials enjoy better health, heal faster and are more resistant to infection. Sows then produce more oxytocin, the hormone that facilitates farrowing and milk production, while piglets start eating solid food earlier.