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On Farm Euthanasia of Swine -
Options for the Producer

Author: Penny Lawlis - Animal Care Specialist/OMAFRA
Creation Date: 01 June 2000
Last Reviewed: 01 June 2000

 

When a pig is ill or injured, a producer must decide to either treat, slaughter, sell or euthanize the animal on-farm. The American Association of Swine Practitioners and the National Pork Producers Council has put together a handbook of on-farm euthanasia methods for swine producers.

The handbook describes several methods of on-farm euthanasia in detail. It is designed to assist producers in making decisions about euthanasia while considering pig welfare, economics and public health.

Producers should discuss on-farm euthanasia with their veterinarian and fill out the Euthanasia Action Plan. The details outlined in the action plan should be reviewed at least once per year with the veterinarian and the information shared with all employees.



Table 1. Examples of Specific Euthanasia Methods for Swine

  

Human safety

Pig Welfare

Skill Required

Cost

Affects

Restrictions

Gunshot

Moderate to high, training needed, security of firearms

Good, need correct placement

Moderate

Moderate, initial cost of firearm,

Discharge of blood from wound

Some skill and training required, not for small pigs

Penetrating Captive Bolt

Moderate to high, training needed

Good, correct placement essential

Moderate

Moderate, initial cost of captive bolt gun

Discharge of blood from wound, should be followed by severing a major artery in adult animals

Some skill and training required, not for small pigs

Blunt trauma

Very low

Good if performed in small pigs with rapid force strong enough for instantaneous death

Low, proper training required

None

May be emotionally

unacceptable

Only applicable to small pigs


Euthanasia Action Plan

Farm Name: _________________________________Date: ________________________________

Drafted By: ____________________________________

Phase of Production

Euthanasia Method

Alternative Method

Nursing Piglets (<12 lb. or 5.5 kg.)

   

Nursery (<70 lb. or 32 kg.)

   

Grow/Finish (up to 300 kg. or 136 kg.)

   

Mature Animals (sows, boars)

   

 

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