Penile Injuries in Immunocastrated and Entire Male Pigs of One Fattening Farm

SIMPLE SUMMARY: In the EU, stakeholders of the pork chain committed themselves to voluntarily end surgical castration of boars in Europe. Pork production with entire males (EM) and with immunocastrated boars (IC) are discussed as animal friendly alternatives to surgical castration. However, raising EM may cause new welfare problems due to sexual and aggressive behavior patterns, such as penile injuries. The incidence of this welfare problem with immunocastrated pigs has not been described so far. Thus, it was the aim of this study to compare frequency and severity of penile injuries in EM and IC systematically. Incidence and size of penile injuries (wounds, scars, hematomas) were evaluated in 192 IC and 215 EM from one farm after slaughter. Scars were observed in 71.2% EM and 44.8% IC; whereas wounds were obvious only in 17.2% EM and 8.3% IC. Thus, it is concluded that immunocastration reduces the frequency and severity of penile injuries in IC when compared to EM of same age and weight. ABSTRACT: Penile injuries in boars have been discussed as a relevant welfare problem in pork production with entire males (EM). The incidence of penile injuries with immunocastrated boars has not been described so far. Thus, it was the aim of this study to systematically compare frequency and severity of penile injuries in EM and IC. Incidence and size of penile injuries (wounds, scars, hematomas) were evaluated in 192 IC and 215 EM from one farm after slaughter (120 kg live weight; four batches (BA) in at least weekly intervals over five weeks). 75.8% EM and 48.4% IC showed injuries at the pars libra of the penis. Scars were observed in 71.2% EM and 44.8% IC. Scars/animal were significantly influenced by treatment (IC vs. EM), B and treatment x B and increased with age in EM (BA1: 2.61 ± 3.05; BA4: 3.59 ± 3.47), but not in IC (BA1: 2.00 ± 3.02; BA4: 1.22 ± 1.91). Wounds were obvious in 17.2% EM and 8.3% IC. Wounds/animal were only influenced significantly by treatment and were lower in IC than in EM. Thus, it is concluded that immunocastration reduces the frequency and severity of penile injuries in IC when compared to EM of same age and weight.