Avaliação das condições de bem-estar em creches de suínos em São Luís-MA

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate favorable and unfavorable conditions for the welfare of piglets during the nursery phase, identifying the variability of factors related to housing, management, health, and animal behavior in nursery units of intensive swine production systems practiced on the Island of São Luís. The research was conducted through the development and on-site application of questionnaires during visits to ten swine farms between February and August 2025, covering the assessment of facilities (floor type, stocking density, ventilation, and thermal environment), management practices (feeding, water supply, and environmental enrichment), as well as health and behavioral indicators (presence of lesions and occurrence of tail biting). The observed results revealed that the intensive production system in the region presents significant challenges, particularly due to asymmetries in crucial aspects of animal welfare. It was found that 90% of the farms had ground-level flooring, with 70% being concrete and 20% subfloor, while only 10% had suspended slatted floors, with the use of subflooring being predominant (70%). All units had fiber-cement roofing; however, 70% did not have any type of thermal monitoring, only 20% used curtains and 10% used thermometers, indicating deficiencies in the maintenance of thermal comfort, which is especially important in hot climate regions. Furthermore, 50% of the farms operated under excessive stocking density, representing an unfavorable management condition that compromises space availability and animal movement, which, combined with the absence or inadequacy of environmental enrichment in most farms (80%), contributes to increased stress and the development of stereotypic behaviors in animals. It is concluded that the intensive swine production system on the Island of São Luís requires significant improvements regarding animal welfare, including the implementation of more appropriate management practices and facilities that promote adequate thermal and environmental comfort for the animals.