On the day of the pig
From the perspective of an Aiderbichler
The domestic pig is the domesticated form of the wild boar and with regard to the stupidity or intelligence of a pig, only one statement applies: studies have shown that the cognitive abilities of a pig are in no way inferior to those of a primate.
Pigs are also not dirty or smell bad. However, this can only be the case if the animals have a thick, clean layer of straw to lie on in the barn. Pigs living on slatted floors cannot be clean and smell good, even if they want to be. By nature, a pig does not soil its straw bed, but uses a corner as a “toilet”. Moreover, wallowing in mud is an innate behaviour that serves to cleanse and cool down. Pigs have no sweat glands, so wallowing in the cool mud bath lowers their body temperature, while the mud on their skin protects them from sunburn and any horseflies that might bite them.
Pigs in the test lab
The pig’s brain works intelligently, which is why pigs are also used in behavioural research. Physiologically, pigs and humans are very similar. Both are susceptible to stress and have similar cardiovascular problems.
Pig skin and human skin have almost identical structures. For example, if a human has extensive burns, pig skin is transplanted.
In the event that the human heart valve does not work, a human can continue to live with the pig’s heart valve. A few weeks ago, a human was implanted with a genetically modified pig heart for the first time. A pioneering operation with good prospects for humans.
Susi – left behind in the mast bay
Susi, a former fattening pig, had been left alone in the pen of the breeding barn. She was injured, had inflamed legs and was dehydrated because she couldn’t go to the watering or feeding station. Huddled in a corner, Susi was discovered by a vet. He and his team did everything they could to keep Susi alive. Susi thanked them with her recovery and is now grunting happily at Gut Aiderbichl Henndorf.
Peppa and her little family
A girl’s love of animals saved the lives of Peppa, Ginger, Vanilla, Sugar and Spicy. These are Duroc-mix pot-bellied pigs that would have been slaughtered. “No way!” – From next spring, we hope that the small, cheerful pig family will be able to roam free around the farm in Henndorf. Peppa is very people-friendly and “oinks” with joy when she hears human voices.
What does Peppa want to tell us? Pigs have 244 different oink sounds that would be worth studying.
We should have more respect for pigs because they are intelligent, clean and very social animals.
Sincerely,
Yours, Gisela
