TY - JOUR AU - Etterlin, Pernille Engelsen AU - Morrison, David A. AU - Österberg, Julia AU - Ytrehus, Bjørnar AU - Heldmer, Eva AU - Ekman, Stina PY - 2015 DA - 2015/09/29 TI - Osteochondrosis, but not lameness, is more frequent among free-range pigs than confined herd-mates JO - Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica SP - 63 VL - 57 IS - 1 AB - Organic pig production is expanding and amongst the objectives of organic farming are enhancing animal health and welfare. However, some studies have reported a higher prevalence of lameness and joint condemnation at slaughter in free-range/organic pigs than in conventionally raised pigs. Organic slaughter pigs have free-range housing in which indoor and outdoor access is compulsory, while in conventional farming the pigs are commonly confined to indoor pens. The present study evaluated the effects of free-range and confined housing on lameness prevalence in a herd of 106 finisher pigs, and whether osteochondrosis and Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae associated arthritis influences these effects. We also evaluated the association between clinical lameness during the rearing period and joint condemnations at slaughter. SN - 1751-0147 UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/s13028-015-0154-7 DO - 10.1186/s13028-015-0154-7 ID - Etterlin2015 ER -