Data from the 400 farms spanning four distinct agro-climatic zones was systematically gathered through a combination of surveys and structured interviews. The data has been presented based on the four agroclimatic zones North Brahmaputra Plains (NBP), Upper Brahmaputra Valley (UBV), Lower Brahmaputra Valley (LBV), Hill Zone (HZ) and as a consolidated form across all the agroclimatic zones. Additional segmentation has been based on the type of rearing cycle adopted by the farmers and whether they are breeder (B), fatteners (F), or adopting both breeding and fattening closed cycle (C) rearing practice.
Good feeding
Fig 1 indicated that although prolonged hunger did not appear to fall below the minimum acceptable level, none of the zones or types of farms showed an aggregate index level categorised as conducive to animal welfare. During the field study, body score indexes ranged from a minimum of 3.14 to 3.53, indicating a need for collective improvement efforts. Farmers should include a balanced diet in pig feed rations to achieve ideal weight gain, which is essential for both animal welfare and economic gains.
The observation of prolonged thirst across various types of farms with P
score ranging from 2.68 to 3.23 underscores the critical need for consistent access to clean water for pigs in small pig farms of Assam. While trough-based drinkers were a common observation during the survey, their intermittent refilling during feeding times may not suffice to meet the animals' hydration needs adequately. Breeding farms, with their higher water requirements, seem to be particularly affected with an overall Pscore of 2.95 which falls below the minimum acceptable level.
Good housing
It can be observed in Fig 2 that 15.5% of the surveyed farms followed the practice of tethering pigs to trees, poles, or pegs. The practice was more prevalent in the North Brahmaputra Plain zone (NBP) and Upper Brahmaputra Valley (UBV), with 26% and 19% of the farms practising tethering. The practice was least prevalent in the Hill Zone (HZ), with only 6% of the farms being seen to tether their pigs.
Observations as per Fig 3 revealed that animals in small pig farms in Assam were provided ample resting space and freedom of movement, aligning with the principles of good housing, the results of which can be referred in Fig 3 above. The consolidated score for farms across all agroclimatic zones revealed that ease of movement was provided to pigs across all types of farms and zones, with the minimum aggregate score recorded at 4.05, which is conducive towards animal welfare. Additionally, measures were taken to shield pigs from extreme temperatures to a large extent, ensuring their comfort and well-being, as evidenced by scores ranging from 4.41 to 4.57 and tending towards the most desired level of animal welfare.
Good health
It can be noted from Fig 4 that the standard practice for caring for injured or diseased animals involved separation, evident from a score above 3. However, this separation was often achieved through tethering, and remedies were predominantly limited to home remedies or over-the-counter medicines.
It was also observed that none of the small pig farms in Assam utilised gestation crates or confined farrowing cages. However, there is a pressing need for these farms to enhance their housing standards for pregnant sows, as well as sows during farrowing and piglet weaning. Such improvements should focus on group housing methods that prioritise the provision of essential care, including adequate feed, water, and measures to prevent piglet trampling. Additionally, it was noted that many farms did not seek professional veterinary assistance during procedures such as castration or minor surgeries.
Appropriate behaviour
A significant concern identified during the study (Fig 5) was the practice of group housing, where pigs of varying weights and ages were housed together and fed from the same trough, severely impacting the dynamics of social behaviour across various types of farms across geographies. This setup often led to conflicts during feeding times, affecting social dynamics among the pigs. Observations revealed instances of aggression, competition, and unequal access to food, which could impact the overall welfare of the animals and create stressful environments. Tethering was observed as another issue, where pigs were restricted in movement and unable to exhibit exploratory or social behaviours. This constraint not only limited their physical activity but also hindered their ability to engage in natural behaviours, potentially leading to boredom and frustration. These two phenomena were more evident in fattener farms in Upper Brahmaputra Valley, with a score of 2.21, and in North Brahmaputra Plains, with a score of 2.57 as depicted in Fig 5 above. The breeding farms in North Brahmaputra Plains, too, saw an unacceptable level of 2.89 in the same parameter.
Overall, animals, particularly in breeding and closed-cycle farming setups, were observed to engage in their natural behaviours, such as rooting, exploring, and socializing, with scores of 4 and 3.79. However, the score for fattening animals, while still conducive to animal welfare at 3.29, was comparatively lower due to the restricted opportunities for social interaction noted in these farms.
Regarding the human-animal relationship, no significant concerns were identified during the study. Pigs, in general, appeared to be well accustomed to the presence of humans. This positive relationship suggests that the pigs were comfortable and familiar with human interaction, which is beneficial for handling management and overall welfare.
The four dimensions of animal welfare
In Assam, a notable uniformity is observed across various types of farms. However, the predominant focus revolves around ensuring optimal feed quality and maintaining robust pig health where scores were observed to be close to the level of minimum acceptable level of animal welfare as is evident from Fig 6 and Table 2.
During the study, it was observed that housing facilities across the range of farms exhibited a commendable provision of adequate open space and covered areas, fostering a conducive environment that positively impacted pigs' social dynamics and natural behaviours. This observation was pivotal as it highlighted the importance of ensuring pigs had sufficient space to engage in their innate behaviours, facilitating socialization and exploration, thereby contributing to their overall well-being. However, despite these positive aspects, the practice of tethering emerged as a significant concern, with notable implications for pig comfort and behaviour. The constraints imposed by tethering not only restricted the physical movement of pigs but also inhibited their ability to express natural behaviours freely.
Moreover, while pigs in Assam did not exhibit signs of malnourishment, the feeding practices across small pig farms often seemed to fall short of providing an ideal growth-supportive diet. This observation underscored the importance of optimizing feed composition to ensure pigs received adequate and balanced nutrition for optimal growth and health.
The study highlighted a crucial gap in veterinary input within small pig farms, particularly concerning managing diseased and injured animals. The limited involvement of veterinarians posed challenges in effectively addressing health issues and implementing appropriate treatment protocols.
