Castration of pigs - conflicting aims and possible solutions from an animal welfare point of view

Castration of male domestic piglets is mainly performed to prevent unpleasant boar taint and to reduce aggression and sexual behaviour among pigs. Based on the current knowledge that castration causes pain and suffering, castration without anaesthesia will be banned by the German animal welfare legislation by the end of 2018. This review analyses different alternative options for practicability, efficiency and animal welfare impact: Sperm-sexing, raising entire males, early slaughter before puberty, immunological vaccination against boar taint (immunocastration) and anaesthesia. The often favoured option of fattening entire males is problematic because of the risk for injuries under current housing and management conditions. Early slaughtering before puberty and immunocastration are favourable options in order to reduce critical behaviours and control for boar taint. Raising entire young males and immunocastration seem to be the preferred short term and widely usable option, as the implementation of new housing and management systems would necessitate a significant effort in research.