Wallowing means rolling in mud, a behaviour characteristic of pigs. A study carried out by Wageningen UR Livestock Research has revealed that wallowing is of importance to pig well-being. For this reason wallowing needs to receive specific attention in the search for integral, sustainable pig farming.
The report contains a detailed description of the wallowing behaviour of feral pigs and wild boars, and discusses this behaviour in an evolutionary context. Criteria have been formulated for the ideal pig mud pool to promote pig well-being. The report also reviews the various functions of wallowing behaviour and examines the relationship between wallowing and well-being indicators.
Wallowing is presumably congenital behaviour that is enjoyable for pigs. Wallowing cools the skin, calms the animal and is conducive to skin care. In optima forma, wallowing is multifaceted behaviour that varies from introductory rooting to rubbing off caked mud. Wallowing is of importance to pig happiness.
Most pigs are currently unable to satisfy their needs for reasons including problems relating to costs, hygiene and the environment (water consumption). For this very reason, pig wallowing behaviour needs to receive specific attention in the search for integral, sustainable pig farming.
View a broadcast from Vroege Vogels TV that devotes attention to this study:
http://player.omroep.nl/?aflID=11390921
Free download
Report 381, Zoelen van varkens en implicaties voor dierenwelzijn (Wallowing in pigs and its implications for animal welfare) by M. Bracke, can be downloaded free here.