mixing pigs

Care is needed because:
1	Pigs will fight whilst they establish their ‘pecking order’. This happens whenever the group is disturbed.
2	It takes 1-2 days to establish the pecking order, and performance may be compromised during this period.
3	Pigs need time and space to work out their pecking order. After this, the weaker pig will back down.
For all pigs;
1	Pigs should be kept as much as possible in stable social groups, and mixing at any stage between accommodation types should be kept to a minimum.
2	Avoid mixing in pens where sharp edges to feed troughs and drinkers protrude, and can injure the pigs.
3	Always mix pigs of similar size.
4	As a general rule, never introduce less than 3 pigs into an established larger group. However, it may be necessary to introduce 1 or 2 sows to dynamic service groups.
5	Low levels of lighting can reduce aggression when mixing. This must not be used for longer than 1-2 days.
6	Resorting to the use of tranquillisers and masking sprays may indicate that the mixing methods and facilities on your farm are inadequate.
For sows:
1	Allow plenty of space (eg if mixing sows, you need 3.5 m^2 per sow) so that there is enough space to get away if chased or threatened. Sows will mostly chase for less than 2.5 m.
2	Ideally only mix sows at weaning. Avoid mixing sows 5-21 days after service as this is when the eggs implant and stress can result in high numbers of returns.
3	Use physical barriers in the pen such as big bales or plastic sheeting suspended from the roof. This allows a beaten pig to get out of sight and quickly ends the fight.
4	Time mixing to fit in with management routines to best allow supervision, however mixing in the evening may be best if you can arrange to be there to oversee this.
5	Use fresh straw at mixing – it acts as a cushion if fighting occurs and increases surface grip.
6	Consider ad lib feeding when mixing.
7	Consider allowing physical contact eg through a gate, between a dynamic main group and a sup-group to be mixed into it, prior to mixing. This may reduce fighting when they are introduced.
8	Avoid re-mixing groups. If practical mix sows back into their original groups post weaning.
9	Avoid mixing in any form of cubicle system. Sows can be trapped easily and injured – consider a specialist mixing pen.
10	Consider breaking up the edge of the lying area with divisions so that sub-groups can have their own areas.
11	Try closing off a section of a large yard system for a few days then penning the sub-group in this area when mixing. This helps to establish a new territory for the smaller group.