What happened so far…
The Pig-Vision campaign has been up and running since 18 May 2009. The following article is an overview of everything that has happened up until now. After reading, you will easily be able to follow the campaign as it unfolds. If you are not sure what the campaign is about, this article will put you in the picture. And now to everything that has happened in the campaign to date:
Artificial insemination
artificial insemination of a sow.
A sow was artificially inseminated 4 months before X11 and X15 were born. This used to be the job of the boar, but these days the pig farmer orders a bag of sperm to get sows pregnant. If you want to know more about this, then you can read this article.
Birth
X11 and X15 were born together with seven other piglets on 26 June 2009. Take a look at this video of the birth.
The following video shows what their first days of life were like.
Comment on the birth from the industry’s perspective and from an animal welfare point of view.
Castration
On 30 June 2009 X15 was castrated without the use of any anaesthetic which is sadly, the rule and not the exception in pig farming. X11 will also be castrated, but with anaesthetic.
In this video you can witness X15 and some of his brothers being castrated.
Video got blacklisted on YouTube. Read more.
Alternative:
Comment on castration from the industry’s perspective and from an animal welfare point of view.
The piglets have been given different coloured collars. This makes it easier to recognise who is who. X15 has a blue collar and X11 has a red one.
The piglets have grown quite a bit and they are a lot more independent.
Take a look here at what their typical day is like.
Weaning
X11 (will live at a sanctuary) He has already moved there.
X15 (will spend his life on a typical Austrian pig farm).
