1.3.2024 -
On the day of the pig

From the perspective of Gut Aiderbichl

(written by Gisela Pschenitschnig)

If meat is eaten in Austria, then it is pork: on average, more than 34 kilograms are consumed per person per year. This considerable demand could be met exclusively with Austrian pork, as domestic farms produce even more than is eaten in Austria. However, a considerable proportion of the pork produced in Austria is exported. In order to meet our demand, almost 170,000 tons of pork are imported, as imported pork is sometimes significantly cheaper than Austrian pork. This exchange also has to do with the eating habits of Austrians. Fatty cuts of pork or even the trunk, ears and feet are hardly used in Austrian kitchens. In other countries, such as China, these cuts are in demand. On the Asian market, pigs' feet are prized as a delicacy. The most important importer of Austrian pork is Italy, followed by China and South Korea.

As intelligent and sensitive as dogs

The majority of pigs lead a life in high-tech fattening farms. Cramped conditions, boredom and no chance to meet more than their basic needs. Neither the emotions nor the intelligence of the pig are given any importance in a fattening farm.

Pigs are not dirty or smell bad. However, this is only possible if they can lie in a generously bedded straw bed and have enough space to set up their toilet corners. There is no straw on the fully slatted floors of pig farms. Here it stinks of foul-smelling digestive gases, the floors are slippery and: it is not at all about the welfare of the pigs, but about rearing them "meaty" in order to fill the refrigerated shelves in the supermarkets after slaughter.

Let's hope that the discussion about the end of fully slatted floors will soon come to an end and that pigs will be kept in spacious, clean and straw-scented pens. Perhaps the proponents of fully slatted floors will also remember how much pigs love to walk, how much they want to enjoy the sun and the spacious living space.

Miss Piggy and Wutzi

Miss Piggy and Wutzi are red and white Husum pigs. This huge breed of pig comes from North Friesland. The small animal farm where they lived had to be closed down. The animal owner tried to find good accommodation for her animals. Miss Piggy and Wutz came to Gut Aiderbichl Henndorf.

The two of them radiate peace and contentment and were not kept as therapy pigs for nothing. In the pig palace, Miss Piggy and her son Wutzi have lots of "piggy neighbors" - all is well.

Pigs are very talkative. They grunt all day long - sometimes louder, sometimes quieter. Did you know that pigs have 244 different "oink" sounds to communicate with each other?

The prejudice of the "stupid pig" is more than unfair. Miss Piggy and Wutz observe humans, watch us very closely and can imitate us quite a bit. They also talk to us using their 244 different oink sounds. Each "oink" has a meaning, which is also defined by higher or lower, quieter "oink" sounds.

Pigs are highly intelligent creatures and are in no way inferior to man's best friend - the dog. They learn their names and always know exactly who is meant. They also choose their favorite people. In a group, they learn from each other, work together and can act tactically. They love to be lazy, and for at least 15 hours a day they simply choose not to be active. They doze off, snore or simply bury themselves in the straw and prefer to snuggle up close to their friends.

My friend Susi

Susi has been living at Gut Aiderbichl in Henndorf for some time now. She is a former fattening pig who had been left alone in the pig pen of the breeding barn. She was injured on her hind legs, had inflamed legs and was dehydrated. It was impossible for her to get to the water or feed trough due to her injuries. One day, Susi was discovered in the stable by a vet: huddled up, apathetic and in pain, he found the animal lying on its side

Susi now recognizes me "without words". She recognizes me by my voice and happily gets up from the straw bed to greet me with loud, joyful "oink calls". She loves being cuddled behind her ears and on her back. Susi also loves the silence, stands by the fence and enjoys it when I put my hand on her forehead. We enjoy these few quiet minutes until Jürgen, who has been sharing the straw bed with Susi for a few months, makes himself known. Pig friend Jürgen weighs over 300 kg, but he also has the most loyal pig eyes, which look at me and say "It's all good, I know you two are old friends!".