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The treatment of pigs in the pork industry can be and is a controversial subject, but it doesn't have to be. For the most part, and contrary to what most people would like to claim, pigs are generally treated very well by the pork industry. How can that be? It is economics combined with good management practices, pig production is a business!

When the sow is about to farrow (give birth) she is taken into a farrowing house and cleaned and washed, it is a shower rather than a bath, but is done with disinfectant. The goal is to get rid of any harmful bacteria that might infect the piglets at birth. An attendant is present and as each baby pig is born, the umbilical cord is dipped in iodine solution and the piglet is given a vitamin and iron shot. Why/ because they have found that most newborn pigs need extra iron and vitamins to get a good start on life.

The sow will be put in a small enclosure that is surrounded by rails. This is because sows often lay on the piglets and mash them by mistake. The rails allow the piglets freedom but prevent them from getting crushed. For a pig farmer, it can double the number of pigs that survive the first week of life!

The pigs are left with the mother for the first six weeks of life and they grow very fast. The pig farmer will be watching for disease and will usually keep the pigs on concrete floors, which get washed daily. This keeps down parasites, keep the pigs cool (Pigs cannot sweat) and actually builds stronger bones. Now the pigs are removed and get weaned!

At this stage they are often give vaccinations and a check up, plus another dose of vitamins. Their feed will be specially designed to produce the best pork in the quickest time. The pig diet is actually better than what 70% of the children in the world get! It is carefully balanced to give enough energy for growing, but not too much to make the pig fat! It will change as the pig grows. Once the pig reaches the desired weight (this varies), it goes to market.

The pig now gets cleaned up and goes to the processing plant, but is treated well along the way. Why careful treatment? Because if stresses often the meat become pale and discolored, and unsaleable! The pig is run into a shoot where it is knocked unconscious before killing. This cuts down on the struggling of the animal, creating less stress and suffering. The throat is cut and then the animal is bled and processed to pork.

And that is how most pigs are really treated by the pork industry in the United States!

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