Management practices and biosecurity in hobby and companion pig holdings: A cross-sectional study in Denmark

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Hobby and companion pig holdings tend to differ from commercial farms and may pose a risk of introduction and transmission of infectious diseases due to a limited application of biosecurity measures. We conducted a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study with the objective to describe the surroundings, management practices, registration status, and housing conditions under which hobby and companion pigs are kept in Denmark. We used descriptive statistics to summarise the results. The study population included 222 holdings. The respondents had various reasons for keeping the pigs – mainly companionship and meat production. Most of the pigs originated from Denmark and were registered and located in holdings in the countryside. The results indicate that some factors may serve as risk pathways in the case of infectious disease outbreaks, including the trade of pigs from countries where the pathogen of interest is present, feeding leftovers and kitchen waste (swill feeding), contact with other animals and visitors, limited fencing for pigs kept outside, movements outside of the premises, disposal of pig faeces as fertiliser or as feed for other animals, burying dead pigs in the garden, and caretakers’ hunting activities. The housing conditions and potential risk pathways should be taken into consideration in future risk assessments, including the risk posed by small-scale holdings in the introduction and spread of infectious diseases. Due to the variation in how hobby and companion pigs are kept, recommendations on management and biosecurity practices should be adapted to the individual holdings, depending on the purpose of the holding and the practicality of the measures. • Management in small-scale pig holdings differs from commercial farms. • Owners of 222 small-scale pig holdings surveyed about management and biosecurity. • Swill feeding, hunting, limited fencing, disposal of pigs and manure posed as risks. • Improved awareness about potential risk pathways for African swine fever is required. • Findings relevant for risk assessments on infectious disease introduction and spread.

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