Camille Ducrue
Project Title: Protecting piglet welfare in future proofed farrowing systems
Biography: Camille Ducrue is researching how early-life environments affect piglet welfare. She studies piglets raised in two farrowing systems: the traditional crate, where the sow is confined throughout lactation, and a new free-movement pen in which the sow is released a few days after farrowing. While these modern pens are known to improve sow welfare, their impact on piglets remains unclear. Camille aims to understand whether these systems influence piglet behaviour and survival.
Her work contributes to a broader effort to improve animal welfare in livestock systems while maintaining farm sustainability. Understanding how farrowing management affects piglets can help reduce post-weaning mortality, a major challenge for the pig industry worldwide.
Camille has experience in animal behaviour research and uses behavioural observations, welfare indicators, to investigate how management practices shape welfare in livestock.
Research Programme: Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Programme
Research Location: – Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre
University:University College Cork
Teagasc Supervisor: Dr.Laura Boyle
University Supervisor: Dr. Fidelma Bulter
Funder: Teagasc