Pig Health & Welfare

At McAuliffe Pig Farms, animal health and welfare are at the heart of everything we do. For over three generations, our family has invested in creating an environment where pigs can thrive—healthy, stress-free, and cared for to the highest standards.

Pioneers in Sow Freedom

In 2000, we became one of the first farms in Ireland to introduce loose sow housing, allowing pregnant sows to move freely and express their natural behaviours. We built on this progress in 2016, becoming the first farm in Ireland to implement a loose lactation system, where sows have complete freedom to move during lactation, enhancing both sow comfort and piglet welfare.

High Health Status – Low Antibiotic Use

We are proud to be recognised as one of the highest health pig farms in Ireland. Our commitment to welfare and prevention means we operate with no routine use of antibiotics, relying instead on robust health plans, quality nutrition, and exceptional biosecurity standards.

Innovation in Vaccination & Veterinary Care

We work closely with leading veterinary pharmaceutical companies to stay at the forefront of animal health innovation.

HIPRA Hipradermic – We were the launch customer in Ireland for HIPRA’s needle-free vaccine gun, improving welfare by reducing injection stress.
Ceva EASI Smart Injector – We were also the first in Ireland to adopt Ceva’s advanced vaccination technology, ensuring precise dosing and enhanced safety.
Boehringer Ingelheim Frevax injector – We have also been the Irish launch customer for Boehringer Ingelheim’s smart needle-free device for intramuscular injection of pigs

Modern and High-Tech Housing

Animal comfort and welfare are supported by state-of-the-art housing systems designed to create the perfect environment for every stage of production.
Our buildings feature:

Computer-controlled ventilation and heating systems that maintain ideal temperature and air quality, adapting automatically to weather and pig size.
Smart feeding systems that deliver precise nutrition based on growth stage, ensuring consistency and reducing waste.
Automatic environmental monitoring, tracking humidity, carbon dioxide, and ammonia levels in real time to support both pig and staff wellbeing.
LED lighting systems designed to mimic natural daylight, promoting healthy behaviour and stable circadian rhythms.
Energy-efficient designs that reduce our carbon footprint while improving animal comfort and resource efficiency.

This technology ensures our pigs live in an environment that is comfortable, safe, and sustainable—combining welfare with innovation at every level.

Improving Welfare Through Stocking Rates

In 2021, we conducted a farm trial by keeping pigs at a lower stocking rate. The results spoke for themselves—pigs performed better, with improved growth and welfare indicators. In response, we built new accommodation in 2022 so that all our pigs can now be raised at this lower stocking density.

At McAuliffe Pig Farms, health and welfare are not just compliance measures—they are the foundation of our farming philosophy, shaping every decision we make for the benefit of our animals, our farm, and our customers.

Animal Welfare

High-health standards led by expert oversight.

Sustainability

Nutrient management, biodiversity initiatives, and emissions reduction.

Transparency

Open communication with community and research partners.