Slaughter pigs are currently subjected to a number of handling practic
es from the moment that they are in their home-cage until they are stu
nned at slaughter These practices include removal from the home-cage,
transport, mixing with unfamiliar conspecifics often leading to aggres
sive interactions, exposure to novel environments and interactions wit
h humans. The pigs' behavioral and physiological responses to these ha
ndling procedures indicate that many of these practices are adversive
to pigs and that animal well-being is impaired. To maintain pigs in go
od condition up to the stunning point, some recommendations arising fr
om recent investigations can be given. The practice of regrouping unfa
miliar pigs should be avoided loading should be improved by the utiliz
ation of hydraulic lifts and handling pigs could be eased by taking in
to account the behavioral and physiological needs of pigs.