a thesis statement for animal farm

A Summary and Analysis of George Orwell’s Animal Farm

By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)

Animal Farm is, after Nineteen Eighty-Four , George Orwell’s most famous book. Published in 1945, the novella (at under 100 pages, it’s too short to be called a full-blown ‘novel’) tells the story of how a group of animals on a farm overthrow the farmer who puts them to work, and set up an equal society where all animals work and share the fruits of their labours.

However, as time goes on, it becomes clear that the society the animals have constructed is not equal at all. It’s well-known that the novella is an allegory for Communist Russia under Josef Stalin, who was leader of the Soviet Union when Orwell wrote the book. Before we dig deeper into the context and meaning of Animal Farm with some words of analysis, it might be worth refreshing our memories with a brief summary of the novella’s plot.

Animal Farm: plot summary

The novella opens with an old pig, named Major, addressing his fellow animals on Manor Farm. Major criticises Mr Jones, the farmer who owns Manor Farm, because he controls the animals, takes their produce (the hens’ eggs, the cows’ milk), but gives them little in return. Major tells the other animals that man, who walks on two feet unlike the animals who walk on four, is their enemy.

They sing a rousing song in favour of animals, ‘Beasts of England’. Old Major dies a few days later, but the other animals have been inspired by his message.

Two pigs in particular, Snowball and Napoleon, rouse the other animals to take action against Mr Jones and seize the farm for themselves. They draw up seven commandments which all animals should abide by: among other things, these commandments forbid an animal to kill another animal, and include the mantra ‘four legs good, two legs bad’, because animals (who walk on four legs) are their friends while their two-legged human overlords are evil. (We have analysed this famous slogan here .)

The animals lead a rebellion against Mr Jones, whom they drive from the farm. They rename Manor Farm ‘Animal Farm’, and set about running things themselves, along the lines laid out in their seven commandments, where every animal is equal. But before long, it becomes clear that the pigs – especially Napoleon and Snowball – consider themselves special, requiring special treatment, as the leaders of the animals.

Nevertheless, when Mr Jones and some of the other farmers lead a raid to try to reclaim the farm, the animals work together to defend the farm and see off the men. A young farmhand is knocked unconscious, and initially feared dead.

Things begin to fall apart: Napoleon’s windmill, which he has instructed the animals to build, is vandalised and he accuses Snowball of sabotaging it. Snowball is banished from the farm. During winter, many of the animals are on the brink of starvation.

Napoleon engineers it so that when Mr Whymper, a man from a neighbouring farm with whom the pigs have started to trade (so the animals can acquire the materials they need to build the windmill), visits the farm, he overhears the animals giving a positive account of life on Animal Farm.

Without consulting the hens first, Napoleon organises a deal with Mr Whymper which involves giving him many of the hens’ eggs. They rebel against him, but he starves them into submission, although not before nine hens have died. Napoleon then announces that Snowball has been visiting the farm at night and destroying things.

Napoleon also claims that Snowball has been in league with Mr Jones all the time, and that even at the Battle of the Cowshed (as the animals are now referring to the farmers’ unsuccessful raid on the farm) Snowball was trying to sabotage the fight so that Jones won.

The animals are sceptical about this, because they all saw Snowball bravely fighting alongside them. Napoleon declares he has discovered ‘secret documents’ which prove Snowball was in league with their enemy.

Life on Animal Farm becomes harder for the animals, and Boxer, while labouring hard to complete the windmill, falls and injures his lung. The pigs arrange for him to be taken away and treated, but when the van arrives and takes him away, they realise too late that the van belongs to a man who slaughters horses, and that Napoleon has arranged for Boxer to be taken away to the knacker’s yard and killed.

Squealer lies to the animals, though, and when he announces Boxer’s death two days later, he pretends that the van had been bought by a veterinary surgeon who hadn’t yet painted over the old sign on the side of the van. The pigs take to wearing green ribbons and order in another crate of whisky for them to drink; they don’t share this with the other animals.

A few years pass, and some of the animals die, Napoleon and Squealer get fatter, and none of the animals is allowed to retire, as previously promised. The farm gets bigger and richer, but the luxuries the animals had been promised never materialised: they are told that the real pleasure is derived from hard work and frugal living.

Then, one day, the animals see Squealer up on his hind legs, walking on two legs like a human instead of on four like an animal.

The other pigs follow; and Clover and Benjamin discover that the seven commandments written on the barn wall have been rubbed off, to be replace by one single commandment: ‘All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.’ The pigs start installing radio and a telephone in the farmhouse, and subscribe to newspapers.

Finally, the pigs invite humans into the farm to drink with them, and announce a new partnership between the pigs and humans. Napoleon announces to his human guests that the name of the farm is reverting from Animal Farm to the original name, Manor Farm.

The other animals from the farm, observing this through the window, can no longer tell which are the pigs and which are the men, because Napoleon and the other pigs are behaving so much like men now.

Things have gone full circle: the pigs are no different from Mr Jones (indeed, are worse).

Animal Farm: analysis

First, a very brief history lesson, by way of context for Animal Farm . In 1917, the Tsar of Russia, Nicholas II, was overthrown by Communist revolutionaries.

These revolutionaries replaced the aristocratic rule which had been a feature of Russian society for centuries with a new political system: Communism, whereby everyone was equal. Everyone works, but everyone benefits equally from the results of that work. Josef Stalin became leader of Communist Russia, or the Soviet Union, in the early 1920s.

However, it soon became apparent that Stalin’s Communist regime wasn’t working: huge swathes of the population were working hard, but didn’t have enough food to survive. They were starving to death.

But Stalin and his politicians, who themselves were well-off, did nothing to combat this problem, and indeed actively contributed to it. But they told the people that things were much better since the Russian Revolution and the overthrow of the Tsar, than things had been before, under Nicholas II. The parallels with Orwell’s Animal Farm are crystal-clear.

Animal Farm is an allegory for the Russian Revolution and the formation of a Communist regime in Russia (as the Soviet Union). We offer a fuller definition of allegory in a separate post, but the key thing is that, although it was subtitled A Fairy Story , Orwell’s novella is far from being a straightforward tale for children. It’s also political allegory, and even satire.

The cleverness of Orwell’s approach is that he manages to infuse his story with this political meaning while also telling an engaging tale about greed, corruption, and ‘society’ in a more general sense.

One of the commonest techniques used in both Stalinist Russia and in Animal Farm is what’s known as ‘gaslighting’ (meaning to manipulate someone by psychological means so they begin to doubt their own sanity; the term is derived from the film adaptation of Gaslight , a play by Patrick Hamilton).

For instance, when Napoleon and the other pigs take to eating their meals and sleeping in the beds in the house at Animal Farm, Clover is convinced this goes against one of the seven commandments the animals drew up at the beginning of their revolution.

But one of the pigs has altered the commandment (‘No animal shall sleep in a bed’), adding the words ‘ with sheets ’ to the end of it. Napoleon and the other pigs have rewritten history, but they then convince Clover that she is the one who is mistaken, and that she’s misremembered what the wording of the commandment was.

Another example of this technique – which is a prominent feature of many totalitarian regimes, namely keep the masses ignorant as they’re easier to manipulate that way – is when Napoleon claims that Snowball has been in league with Mr Jones all along. When the animals question this, based on all of the evidence to the contrary, Napoleon and Squealer declare they have ‘secret documents’ which prove it.

But the other animals can’t read them, so they have to take his word for it. Squealer’s lie about the van that comes to take Boxer away (he claims it’s going to the vet, but it’s clear that Boxer is really being taken away to be slaughtered) is another such example.

Communist propaganda

Much as Stalin did in Communist Russia, Napoleon actively rewrites history , and manages to convince the animals that certain things never happened or that they are mistaken about something. This is a feature that has become more and more prominent in political society, even in non-totalitarian ones: witness our modern era of ‘fake news’ and media spin where it becomes difficult to ascertain what is true any more.

The pigs also convince the other animals that they deserve to eat the apples themselves because they work so hard to keep things running, and that they will have an extra hour in bed in the mornings. In other words, they begin to become the very thing they sought to overthrow: they become like man.

They also undo the mantra that ‘all animals are equal’, since the pigs clearly think they’re not like the other animals and deserve special treatment. Whenever the other animals question them, one question always succeeds in putting an end to further questioning: do they want to see Jones back running the farm? As the obvious answer is ‘no’, the pigs continue to get away with doing what they want.

Squealer is Napoleon’s propagandist, ensuring that the decisions Napoleon makes are ‘spun’ so that the other animals will accept them and carry on working hard.

And we can draw a pretty clear line between many of the major characters in Animal Farm and key figures of the Russian Revolution and Stalinist Russia. Napoleon, the leader of the animals, is Joseph Stalin; Old Major , whose speech rouses the animals to revolution, partly represents Vladimir Lenin, who spearheaded the Russian Revolution of 1917 (although he is also a representative of Karl Marx , whose ideas inspired the Revolution); Snowball, who falls out with Napoleon and is banished from the farm, represents Leon Trotsky, who was involved in the Revolution but later went to live in exile in Mexico.

Squealer, meanwhile, is based on Molotov (after whom the Molotov cocktail was named); Molotov was Stalin’s protégé, much as Squealer is encouraged by Napoleon to serve as Napoleon’s right-hand (or right-hoof?) man (pig).

Publication

Animal Farm very nearly didn’t make it into print at all. First, not long after Orwell completed the first draft in February 1944, his flat on Mortimer Crescent in London was bombed in June, and he feared the typescript had been destroyed. Orwell later found it in the rubble.

Then, Orwell had difficulty finding a publisher. T. S. Eliot, at Faber and Faber, rejected it because he feared that it was the wrong sort of political message for the time.

The novella was eventually published the following year, in 1945, and its relevance – as political satire, as animal fable, and as one of Orwell’s two great works of fiction – shows no signs of abating.

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Animal Farm by George Orwell: Literary Analysis Essay

The significance of the novel’s title, the major themes emerging from the novel, important passages and their significance, the setting of the novel and its effects on the plot, the main characters and their motivations, important relationships among characters in the novel, the narrator of the story and impact of his perspective on the narration, the ending of the novel, recommendation of the novel, works cited.

George Orwell’s Animal Farm is often discussed as an allegorical story having the features of the fable and satire. The significance of the novella’s title is in its satirical nature. An animal farm is traditionally discussed as a place where animals are bred by humans. The farms are usually named after the owner. However, Animal Farm is rather different. It is a place where animals are owners of the properties (Orwell 6). While referring to the meaning and significance of the phrase which is used for the title of the novella, it is important to emphasize the opposition between animals and humans as well as their differences.

The name “Animal Farm” is chosen by the characters in order to accentuate the meaning of this specific place where animals can rule instead of humans and without being exploited by them. However, the ownership of the farm by animals is a rather provocative idea. While focusing on the fact that the purpose of the novella is to present the political regime in the Soviet Union before World War II, it is possible to state that the title is significant because it stresses on the inhuman nature of Joseph Stalin’s regime.

Providing the title for the work, Orwell seems to ask the questions about the differences in the regime of the Soviet Union and irrational rule of animals at the farm. The satirical title is significant because the reader also starts asking questions about the political and social meaning of the work’s message and ideas. Using the metaphor in the title, Orwell draws the readers’ attention to the Animal Revolution as his allegory to demonstrate the results of the Russian Revolution of 1917. That is why, the title is significant to represent the double meaning of the story and stimulate the readers’ interpretation of the literal and allegorical aspects of the title’s meaning.

The major themes represented in the novella are the leadership and power in the Soviet Union, corruption, inequality, the role of an individual in the society, exploitation, and control. In his novella, Orwell discusses the power in the Soviet Union as unlimited and focused in the hands of the elite, as it is typical for the totalitarian governments. These leaders are allegorically described in the characters of pigs which are powerful, but selfish, brutal, and vicious.

The theme of corruption is discussed with the help of stating that the absolute power makes people corrupted or depraved because of receiving the unlimited resources. Thus, those pigs which were the leaders of the Animal Revolution betrayed their ideals and principles and chose to live in Manor’s house because of the convenience and extreme desire to satisfy their needs while ignoring the needs of the other working animals.

These animals chose to follow the principle “All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others” (Orwell 112). Thus, Orwell also discusses the themes of inequality and the role of an individual in the society. In spite of the fact that the Animal Revolution was declared to be organized for the welfare of all animals, only the leaders received the real benefits. The same situation was observed in the Soviet Union. The social stratification and the division into rich and poor were not overcome, but these problems were hidden now.

The other significant themes discussed in the fable are exploitation and control supported by the leaders of the revolution. The pigs were satisfied with the work of hard-working animals, but any differences in the views could result in violent punishment. This allegory represents how Stalin chose to resolve the problems with dissenters. Thus, the institution of control in the Soviet Union was People’s Commissariat of Internal Affairs, and the guarantee of the pig’s control was dogs which were used to persecute dissenters.

The first passage that attracts the reader’s attention is Major’s speech about the role of a man in the world. Thus, Major states in his speech, “Man is the only creature that consumes without producing…Yet he is lord of all the animals” ( Orwell 6 ). Major notes that a man makes animals work, but he does not care about them and only “prevent them from starving” ( Orwell 6). Major persuades the animals that they are better than men, and they have to rebel while focusing on the threats of exploitation. This statement reflects the Socialists’ arguments declared during the Revolution period. However, the significance of the passage is in the fact that the pigs forget about their statements and ideals while receiving some power, and they begin to exploit the others.

In Chapter 3, the principles of the Socialists’ attitude to work and the belief of the poor men in the better future are reflected. The horse Boxer becomes the inspiration for each animal at the farm because he follows the principle “I will work harder!” (Orwell 25). This principle is actively followed by lower class animals, but it is also used by the pigs to exploit workers. The ideology prevents these animals from seeing the real situation at Animal Farm.

The expulsion of Snowball with the help of dogs can be discussed as the important allegorical description of the struggle between Joseph Stalin and Leon Trotsky observed in the Soviet Union. Napoleon used any means to realize his goals. Thus, he even used dogs to fear Snowball and other animals, “there was a terrible baying sound outside, and nine enormous dogs wearing brass-studded collars came bounding into the barn. They dashed straight for Snowball, who only sprang from his place just in time to escape their snapping jaws” (Orwell 48). Napoleon could not support his leadership with the other resources, and he used violence to state his high social position. This moment is symbolic to represent the deterioration of any Socialist principles declared at Animal Farm.

The next significant passage is about judging Snowball as a scapegoat. This moment is important to describe the reality of Animal Farm and make the reader think about the Soviet Union. Snowball was accused of any crime at the farm only because he did not support Napoleon. Thus, “If a window was broken or a drain was blocked up, someone was certain to say that Snowball had come in the night and done it” (Orwell 66). This situation is the first step in persecution of ‘suspicious’ animals who were killed because of possible relations with Snowball. Thus, the authorities used all the cruel methods to justify and support their regime while violating the basic principles of their ideologies.

The setting of the novella is imaginary Manor Farm located in England. This place becomes the communal territories owned by the animals after the Animal Revolution. The time period associated with the described events is not stated clearly. Animal Farm becomes the place where animals live according to the principles of Animalism and equality of all the animals. These equal animals have the only enemy in men who previously exploited them (Orwell 4).

Concentrating on the allegorical meaning of the novella, it is possible to note that the setting of the story is the Soviet Union after the period of the Russian Revolution in 1917 and during the rule of Joseph Stalin. The setting can be considered as affecting the plot significantly because all the described events occur at Animal Farm where animals try to develop the communal way of life. This farm becomes the place where the pigs win the people and receive the power.

It is possible to state that the story could be told in a different setting, but the features of the fable can be lost because the main distinctive feature of the novella is its allegorical character. While putting the characters of the novella in the real-life setting, it is possible to discuss the moments from the history of the Soviet Union without using any allegories and metaphors in order to accentuate the dramatic features of the regime. That is why, this story about the corrupted leaders and exploited workers presented in a different setting can be discussed as ineffective to reveal the author’s main idea.

The main characters of the novella are Napoleon, Snowball, Boxer, Squealer, and Old Major. The character of Napoleon is based on the personality of Joseph Stalin. This ambitious pig tries to become a leader at Animal Farm after the death of Old Major. Napoleon uses all the means to achieve the goal, and these means are mostly persuasive speeches and unlimited violence. As a result, Napoleon can be described as a political tyrant.

The character of Snowball is based on the personality of Leon Trotsky, the main rival of Joseph Stalin in the Soviet Union. Snowball is an idealist, and he also wants to become a leader at Animal Farm, but he fails because of avoiding the use of extremely violent means and because of basing only on clear reasoning. That is why, Napoleon makes Snowball to become a scapegoat in order to receive the opportunity to cope with the smart competitor.

Boxer is a cart-horse who represents the working class at Animal Farm. Boxer works hard in order to contribute to the farm’s intensive development. He is loyal, strong, naïve, and dedicated to the ideals of Animalism. Boxer can be discussed as motivated by the belief in the better future and achievements of the working animals.

Squealer is a pig who develops the active propaganda at Animal Farm in order to support Napoleon’s ideas and personality (Orwell 20). This pig speaks in a language that is understandable for other animals, and he is motivated by possible Napoleon’s appraisal.

Old Major is an old pig whose character is written basing on the personalities of Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin. Old Major is rather wise, and he is focused on finding better ways for living at farm while avoiding the exploitation of the animals as the lower class (Orwell 3-4).

The character to whom it is possible to relate oneself is Boxer. This cart-horse is the appropriate choice because he discusses the hard work as the only way to build the better future, and he tries to inspire the others to do their best to create something good.

The novella is based on the description of the problematic relationships between Napoleon and Snowball. These pigs are rivals in their fight for leadership at Animal Farm. In spite of the fact that both Napoleon and Snowball orient to receiving the unlimited leadership and influence, the methods which they use to complete the goals are different. That is why, Napoleon who uses violence and fear becomes more powerful than Snowball who uses reasoning. Although Napoleon and Snowball start applying the ideals of Animalism to the regime at Animal Farm as a team, they need more leadership after the death of Old Major. These relations are typical for the ruling class where the fight for power is not only extreme but also prolonged.

The other type of relationships is described with references to workers Boxer and Benjamin. Orwell describes these animals’ relations the following way, “the two of them usually spent their Sundays together in the small paddock beyond the orchard, grazing side by side and never speaking” (Orwell 4). The horse and the donkey represent different visions and attitudes to the world and situation, but they live to support each other. Boxer can be described as more enthusiastic and positive while discussing the ideals of Animalism. Benjamin is more passive in spite of the fact that he understands the real situation at Animal Farm. Benjamin chooses not to do anything to fight cruelty of Napoleon’s regime. Thus, this character represents the visions of the majority in the Soviet Union.

The narrative point used in Animal Farm is third-person, and this point of view can be discussed as impersonal and omniscient because Orwell is not presented as a character in the work. First, it seems that the narrator’s perspective is limited, but then it can be found that readers know more than animals which are discussed in the story. Thus, the anonymous narrator not only retells the actions of the animals, but he also presents the motives and thoughts of such characters as Napoleon, Squealer, Boxer, and Benjamin (Orwell 3-14). As a result, this perspective can affect the way according to which the story is told and understood by the reader. The used approach helps accentuate the differences observed in the pigs’ words and their actions toward horses and other animals who work hard to support the commune.

The narrator can also be described as detached, and there are more opportunities for the author to present and develop the allegorical meaning of the novella while focusing on the real motivation of such characters as Napoleon and Squealer while comparing their words, thoughts, and actions with the activities of the other animals at the farm (Orwell 58-64). This point of view is effective to be used in the allegorical novella because the reader can understand all the hidden meanings of the described activities and words while referring to the narrator’s ironical remarks and hints. That is why, the choice of the perspective is rather appropriate to address the idea or message of this satirical story.

The ending of the novella can be discussed as appropriate to represent the result of corruption of the ideals and principles developed at Animal Farm. Thus, animals betrayed their ideals because of the benefits of working with their human enemies. However, the last scene demonstrates that animals and men have many features in common because of their focus on cheating, exploiting, and expanding only their own properties. The quarrel between animals’ leaders and people observed by the other animals through windows of the house reveals that “the creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which” (Orwell 118). Thus, Orwell effectively stresses on how tyrants can use the ideals against the lower classes and support their power with the methods used by the previous leaders.

Animal Farm should be recommended for reading to others because this allegorical novella is helpful to understand the nature of the totalitarian regimes which can be based on the effective ideals. Furthermore, the novella is interesting to help readers become detached from the historical reality associated with the Russian Revolution and look at the events from the other perspective. The satirical anti-utopian story makes the reader think about the true nature of many things observed in different types of the society. In his work, Orwell effectively discussed the threats of the totalitarian regimes which can be corrupted because of the aspects of the human nature. That is why, the novella can be actively recommended to the readers to look at the political events from the perspective of the satirical fable.

Orwell, George. Animal Farm. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 1990. Print.

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• Animal Farm

George Orwell

• Literature Notes
• Major Themes
• Animal Farm at a Glance
• Book Summary
• About Animal Farm
• Character List
• Summary and Analysis
• Character Analysis
• Character Map
• George Orwell Biography
• Critical Essays
• The Russian Revolution
• Full Glossary
• Essay Questions
• Practice Projects
• Cite this Literature Note

Critical Essays Major Themes

Satire is loosely defined as art that ridicules a specific topic in order to provoke readers into changing their opinion of it. By attacking what they see as human folly, satirists usually imply their own opinions on how the thing being attacked can be remedied. Perhaps the most famous work of British satire is Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels (1726), where the inhabitants of the different lands Gulliver visits embody what Swift saw as the prominent vices and corruptions of his time. As a child,  Orwell discovered and devoured Swift's novel, which became one of his favorite books. Like Gulliver's Travels , Animal Farm is a satirical novel in which Orwell, like Swift, attacks what he saw as some of the prominent follies of his time. These various satirical targets comprise the major themes of Orwell's novel.

Broadly speaking, Animal Farm satirizes politicians, specifically their rhetoric, ability to manipulate others, and insatiable lust for power. Despite his seemingly altruistic motives, Napoleon is presented as the epitome of a power-hungry individual who masks all of his actions with the excuse that they are done for the betterment of the farm. His stealing the milk and apples, for example, is explained by the lie that these foods have nutrients essential to pigs, who need these nutrients to carry on their managerial work. His running Snowball off the farm is explained by the lie that Snowball was actually a traitor, working for Jones — and that the farm will fare better without him. Each time that Napoleon and the other pigs wish to break one of the Seven Commandments, they legitimize their transgressions by changing the Commandment's original language. Whenever the farm suffers a setback, Napoleon blames Snowball's treachery — which the reader, of course, knows is untrue. Napoleon's walking on two legs, wearing a derby hat, and toasting Pilkington reflect the degree to which he (and the other pigs) completely disregard the plights of the other animals in favor of satisfying their own cravings for power. Thus, the dominant theme of Animal Farm is the tendency for those who espouse the most virtuous ideas to become the worst enemies of the people whose lives they are claiming to improve.

Role of the Populace

Orwell, however, does not imply that Napoleon is the only cause for Animal Farm's decline. He also satirizes the different kinds of people whose attitudes allow rulers like Napoleon to succeed. Mollie , whose only concerns are materialistic, is like people who are so self-centered that they lack any political sense or understanding of what is happening around them. Apolitical people like Mollie — who care nothing for justice or equality — offer no resistance to tyrants like Napoleon. Boxer is likened to the kind of blindly devoted citizen whose reliance on slogans ("Napoleon is always right") prevents him from examining in more detail his own situation: Although Boxer is a sympathetic character, his ignorance is almost infuriating, and Orwell suggests that this unquestioning ignorance allows rulers like Napoleon to grow stronger. Even Benjamin , the donkey, contributes to Napoleon's rise, because his only stand on what is occurring is a cynical dismissal of the facts: Although he is correct in stating that "Life would go on as it had always gone on — that is, badly," he, too, does nothing to stop the pigs' ascension or even raise the other animals' awareness of what is happening. His only action is to warn Boxer of his impending death at the knacker's — but this is futile as it occurs too late to do Boxer any good.

Religion and Tyranny

Another theme of Orwell's novel that also strikes a satiric note is the idea of religion being the "opium of the people" (as Karl Marx famously wrote). Moses the raven's talk of Sugarcandy Mountain originally annoys many of the animals, since Moses, known as a "teller of tales," seems an unreliable source. At this point, the animals are still hopeful for a better future and therefore dismiss Moses' stories of a paradise elsewhere. As their lives worsen, however, the animals begin to believe him, because "Their lives now, they reasoned, were hungry and laborious; Was it not right and just that a better world should exist somewhere else?" Here, Orwell mocks the futile dreaming of a better place that clearly does not exist. The pigs allow Moses to stay on the farm — and even encourage his presence by rewarding him with beer — because they know that his stories of Sugarcandy Mountain will keep the animals docile: As long as there is some better world somewhere — even after death — the animals will trudge through this one. Thus Orwell implies that religious devotion — viewed by many as a noble character trait — can actually distort the ways in which one thinks of his or her life on earth.

False Allegiance

A final noteworthy (and again, satiric) theme is the way in which people proclaim their allegiance to each other, only to betray their true intentions at a later time. Directly related to the idea that the rulers of the rebellion (the pigs) eventually betray the ideals for which they presumably fought, this theme is dramatized in a number of relationships involving the novel's human characters. Pilkington and Jones ; Frederick , for example, only listen to Jones in the Red Lion because they secretly hope to gain something from their neighbor's misery. Similarly, Frederick's buying the firewood from Napoleon seems to form an alliance that is shattered when the pig learns of Frederick's forged banknotes. The novel's final scene demonstrates that, despite all the friendly talk and flattery that passes between Pilkington and Napoleon, each is still trying to cheat the other (as seen when both play the ace of spades simultaneously). Of course, only one of the two is technically cheating, but Orwell does not indicate which one because such a fact is unimportant: The "friendly" game of cards is a facade that hides each ruler's desire to destroy the other.

Thus, as Swift used fantastic places to explore the themes of political corruption in the eighteenth century, so Orwell does with his own fantastic setting to satirize the twentieth. According to Orwell, rulers such as Napoleon will continue to grow in number — and in power — unless people become more politically aware and more wary of these leader's "noble" ideals.

Previous The Russian Revolution

Animal Farm

Introduction to animal farm ‎.

One of the best novels for children and adults alike, Animal Farm , is stated to be an allegorical novellet by George Orwell . It was first published in the United Kingdom in 1945. Since then it has been published every year and also has been part of the middle school teaching curriculum, mesmerizing the generations. Set in the background of the animal rebellion on an animal farm, the storyline reflects the cleverness of the clever animals leading the other simpletons and guiding them to victory with the allusion of freedom and happy life. Animal farm is also known as symbolic writing for Russia during the revolution in 1917 and the Soviet nation under the communist rule, and how the common people were affected by it. The novel created ripples for attacking capitalists and the communist regime, in other words, totalitarian states and propagandist approach of the statecraft.

Summary of Animal Farm

The story begins with animals on Mr. Jones’ Manor Farm who are fed up with his maltreatment and rise to rebellion after an old pig, Old Major. The Old Major narrates to them his dream of freedom and liberating from the cruelty of men. He also coins a slogan for them that four legs are good and two legs are bad. However, he does not live long to see the revolution. Later, Snowball and Napoleon, two clever pigs, lead the animals and when Jones and his men come to teach the animals a lesson, the animals beat them out of the far, making them flee for their lives. The pigs take charge of the affairs on the farm and issue seven commandments for animals’ rights and protection.

Following the success, the animals start harvesting and cultivation, with weekly meetings to debate on the policy matters. The pigs become administrators and assign duties to all the animals. However, Napoleon, the clever and astute pig, becomes the head, who does what he wants for himself. He also resorts to propaganda against his enemies and in his own praise. Therefore, Squealer is employed for this specific task. Although Jones and his men try to win the farm back, animals fight back ferociously. This is called the Battle of the Cowshed in which they are victorious. Soon the winter takes hold of the farm, while the only mare, Mollie, also flees. Snowball, on the other hand, devises innovative plans for a windmill installation and electricity generation. However, Napoleon opposes him for such schemes. Both go against each other and soon Napoleon, the astute one, uses the dogs to chase him out of the farm. Later, Squealer and Napoleon use his escape as the source of all evils on the animal farm.

While the work on windmill and harvest continues around the year, Boxer, the strong horse, proves very useful. Jones, also, seems to lose interest in taking back the farm, while Napoleon takes full charge of the animal form. However, his lust for power increases day by day. Seeing the shortage of grain, he issues a mandate to the animals to eat less than before. All the setbacks on the farm projects are attributed to Snowball or Mollie, while the pigs enjoy life in luxury on one or the other excuse. Soon Napoleon engages himself in timber selling and doing business with the neighboring farms. Despite attacks from the neighboring form owner, the animals win once again but lose their windmill. Boxer, though, tries to gird up his loins but feels that he is now old and cannot work. Napoleon, seeing the opportunity, sells him to a knacker to be butchered and make useful things from his bones. However, animals are told that he has been sent to a vet for treatment. The pigs also take charge of the commandments and start changing them one by one to suit their purpose. Life for animals continues to become harsh. Soon they see that their motto is changed to “ All animals are equal but some are more equal than others.” When the other animals see that the pigs have started living separate from them, they see that they have also started meeting the human beings of the neighboring farm and drinking. When the novel ends, the animals are at loss to distinguish between human beings and pigs when all of them are drinking in the barn.

Major Themes in Animal Farm

• Leadership and Corruption: Leadership and its corruption is the major theme of the novel as depicted through Napoleon and his propaganda minister, Squealer. Although in the beginning, he shares power with Snowball, the most creative one, but later, he turns to Squealer and proves devious by making Snowball run away and using every mishap to demonize him. He also starts doing what human beings are supposed to do, using his power. By the end of the novel, he proves as exploitative as Mr. Jones in the name of leadership.
• Control on Mentally Weak: The novel also shows that the people with sharp minds control the people having weak minds, or who do not want to think and work hard. The pigs, who are mentally sharp, take control of the revolution. Even among them, Napoleon, Snowball, and Squealer prove leaders and compete with each other whereas the most devious and deceptive, Napoleon wins and Snowball flees to save his life. Napoleon, then, uses all the pigs to exploit other animals and enjoys life himself.
• Lies and Deceit: Animal Farm shows that politics is the game of lies and deceits. Although Old Major is sincere and his experience is honest, his successors do not prove sincere and honest like him. Napoleon, specifically, spreads so much lies and deceits about Snowball and Mollie that other animals lose the verve and memory of the revolution.
• Rules and Order: Animal Farm also shows that rules and order suit the upper class that exploits them and change them whenever the time is suitable, or whenever they do not suit them. The animals are amazed at the speed that pigs change the rules and Squealer changes the order. Even the main slogan of all animals are equal change by the end to all animals are equal but some are more equal than others.
• Foolishness and Folly: The novel, Animal Farm, shows that foolishness and folly cost dearly whether shown by an animal or a human being. Had Mr. Jones been clever and wise, he would have made arrangements to keep animal satisfied. The folly of the pigs and other animals of using only a few leaders without any check also cost them dearly.
• Dreams and Hopes: The novel also shows dreams of the animals for freedom, their subsequent hopes, and plans. Hens, horses, pigs, and other animals have various dreams. They dream of being equal to each other and even adopt the slogan of the Old Major. However, when they see the end of their revolution where pigs and human beings enjoying together, their hopes and dreams dashed to the ground.
• Cunning and Cleverness: Cunningness and cleverness in the novel are shown through the character of Napoleon and Squealer. The first one is deceptively cunning in wielding power and using it, while the second is dexterous in propaganda. Therefore, both make Snowball run away and use this power to their own end.
• Violence: The novel shows that every revolution and power usurpation involves violence. When the animals rise up to the rebellion, they resort to violence and change the status quo of Mr. Jones’ ownership. They again face violence when the neighboring people try to capture the farm. Also, when Snowball leaves the farm, there was fear of violence as the fierce dogs were chasing him.
• Propaganda : The use of propaganda to wield power has been shown through the character of Squealer. He not only paints black to white and vice versa but also distorts the very spirit of the revolution by changing the commandments one by one.

Major Characters in Animal Farm

• Napoleon : Napoleon is an important character in that he is the mainstay of the revolution following the Old Major, after his death. Napoleon represents Joseph Stalin. He comes into power along with Snowball’s support to lead the rebellion. However, he is quite clever and cunning when it comes to usurping powers. A taciturn but tactician, Napoleon leads the pigs and other animals to believe that he is the true leader after making Snowball flee and chased by fierce dogs. He is a strategist who knows the mob psychology and power of propaganda. That is why he uses Squealer for his purpose. He even uses a simpleton like Boxer and sells him to a knacker by the end and yet shows that he has sent him to a vet for treatment.
• Old Major: Old Major is another significant character on account of his importance as being the doctrinaire of the animal farm. He represents Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin, who starts the animals to gain consciousness about the exploitation by humans, and how to rise up against it. His final speech shows him a dignified character who leaves the stage as soon the revolution is set in motion. Despite his absence and lack of direction by his successors, his words resonate until the end of the novel.
• Snowball: The second important leader of the pig community and animals is Snowball. Snowball represents Leon Trotsky. He is a creative, motivated as well as an intelligent person, whose ingenuity lies in developing things and preparing plans. With the help of Napoleon, he forms seven commandments, prepares the plan of a windmill, and also develops plans for its work. However, Napoleon soon realizes that Snowball could outwit him. Therefore, he makes him an outlaw. He sends dogs to chase him out of the farm on the pretext of helping enemies.
• Squealer: A very clever and eloquent fellow, Squealer joins hands with Napoleon to drive out Snowball from the animal farm and enjoy the life of luxury while leading the gullible animals. He represents Vyacheslav Molotov knowns as a protégé of Joseph Stalin. He is the cleverest one among all the pigs, the reason that he can write and read. He also writes the commandments and other rules and changes them when the time comes. However, he ensures to inform the animals about the changes and their reasons.
• Boxer: Boxer is the toughest and hard horse on the animal farm who sets examples of the blind following and hardworking people. He is also representative of Alexey Stakhanov, a hard-working and passionate role model of the lesser-known Stakhanovite movement. He is always found working very hard and getting up early than other animals. However, when he is unable to perform the duties, Napoleon and Squealer make a deal with a knacker to sell him.
• Jones: The representative of most upper-class citizens in the Soviet Union. Mr. Jones is a lazy and drunk landlord who merely seeks his own interests fulfilled, leaving others to go to dogs. The animals hate him for his cruelty and drive him out of the farm when he does not mend his ways. His repeated tries to subdue animals fail badly.
• Clover: A beautiful mare and Boxer’s friend, Clover is a kindhearted animal who sees the violations of the rules but does not take courage to explain it to others. She is the representative of the innocent animals who does not interfere in the statecraft.
• Pilkington: Owner of the other form, he feels a threat of the revolt on his own farm. Although his farm is quite small, he tries to win Jones to keep his animals away from rebellion.
• Frederick: The owner of the neighboring farm, the Pinchfield Farm, Mr. Frederick is a shrewd fellow who knows the legality of the land and issues of the landowners. He tries to purchase the animal farm from Mr. Jones, but once seeing the ferocity of the animals, backs out of his deal.
• Benjamin: The cynical donkey, Benjamin, has seen through his mind’s eyes that the situation after Mr. Jones would not change. Therefore, he always comments that life will be bad whether the farm is under Mr. Jones or Napoleon and pigs.

Writing Style of Animal Farm

Animal Farm is a very simple novelette written in a formal as well as informal style . The formal style is shown through terse and succinct prose , while informal style creeps in when the animals talk to each other or when the Old Major addresses the animal. The simplicity of language shows its tones changing according to the setting of the novel, from ironic to sarcastic and from simple to rhetorical. However, by the end of the novel, this tone becomes highly ironic.

Analysis of Literary Devices in Animal Farm  

• Action: The main action of the novel comprises the rise of animals and their fall like their previous condition. However, it comprises the rising action that is the successful rebellion of the animals culminating into the establishment of the Animal Farm and then the falling action that demonstrates the deteriorating circumstances of the animals.
• Alliteration : Animal Farm shows many examples of the use of alliteration in its songs.

Cows and horses, geese and turkeys, All must toil for freedom’s sake. Beasts of England, beasts of Ireland, Beasts of every land and clime, Hearken well and spread my tidings Of the golden future time. (Chapter-1)

The above lines taken from the first chapter show the use of alliteration that means the use of consonant sounds in quick succession in a line. For example, the /f/ sound is seen in 2 nd line.

• Allegory : Animal Farm is an allegory in that it shows how animals bring a revolution to set up a utopia dreamed by their old teacher, Old Major, but then it proves as futile as the efforts of human beings. Therefore, it shows the setup of a state and its working as shown through the animal story and then the elite class enjoying at the expense of the lower classes.
• Antagonist : Although it seems that Snowball is the antagonist for the animals on the farm, in a real sense, it is Napoleon and Squealer, who are antagonists, for Snowball flees to save his life, while they are still there to rule the animals and are involved in subverting the very structure of the farm that the animals have dreamed to set up.
• Allusion : There are various examples of allusions given in the novel, Animal Farm. For example, Old Major represents Karl Marx, while Snowball is the allusion of Leon Trotsky, the intellectual, who was chased out of the farm. Napoleon alludes to the character of Joseph Stalin, while Squealer alludes to Joseph Goebbels, the propaganda minister of Hitler.
• Anaphora : The novel, Animal Farm, also shows the use of anaphora as given below.

No animal shall wear clothes. No animal shall sleep in a bed. No animal shall drink alcohol. No animal shall kill any other animal. (Chapter-II)

The phrase “No animal shall…” is repeated in the beginning of these three commandments, showing a good use of anaphora.

• Conflict : There are two types of conflicts in the novel, Animal Farm. The first one is the external conflict that is going on between the animals and Mr. Jones. The internal conflict goes into the minds of the different animals about the changing behavior of the pigs about eating and drinking.
• Characters: Animal Farm presents both flat as well as round characters . Old Major, Boxer, and Benjamin are flat characters who do not show any change in them throughout the storyline. However, Snowball, Squealer, and Napoleon are round characters who change with the events of the story.
• Climax : Although it seems that climax is the success of the revolution, it is not the case; actually, the climax occurs when Napoleon accuses Snowball of every problem arising on the farm.
• Fable : Animal Farm shows the type of fable in which animals take part as if they are human beings. Old Major, Napoleon, Boxer, Benjamin, and other pigs debate the revolution and take part in it as if they are human beings.
• Foreshadowing : The first example of foreshadowing in Animal Farm occurs with the entry of Mr. Jones in the very first chapter where it is shown that he “was too drunk to remember to shut the popholes,” a foreboding that something sinister is going to happen. Shortly after that, the old Major speaks to the animals to make them prepare for the revolution.
• Hyperbole : Hyperbole or exaggeration occurs when Squealer is engaged in stating things and attributing them to Snowball. Old Major is also engaged in hyperbole that all bad things are occurring due to man and that man is always the enemy of the animals.
• Imagery : Imagery is used to make readers perceive things involving their five senses.
• “At one end of the big barn, on a sort of raised platform, Major was already ensconced on his bed of straw, under a lantern which hung from a beam. He was twelve years old and had lately grown rather stout, but he was still a majestic-looking pig, with a wise and benevolent appearance in spite of the fact that his tusks had never been cut.” (Chapter-I)
• There were shoutings, bangings on the table, sharp suspicious glances, furious denials. The source of the trouble appeared to be that Napoleon and Mr. Pilkington had each played an ace of spades simultaneously. (Chapter-X)

Both of these passages show the use of the sense of sound, hearing, touch, and sight in an effective way.

• Metaphor : Animal Farm shows good use of various metaphors such as the entire novel is a metaphor of the Russian for that matter of the Cuban Revolution. The names also refer to different personalities in a metaphorical manner. Gun, flag, milk, cowshed and even the animal farm is a metaphor.
• Mood : The novel, Animal Farm, shows a serious mood in the beginning but it suddenly charges up when the revolution takes place and becomes cheerful and light when the animal wins. However, it turns to darkly comic when the pigs transformed into the old masters.
• Motif : Most important motifs of the novel, Animal Farm, are the corroboration of songs and chants with the idea of revolution and then the ensuing rituals such as the flag march and parades.
• Narrator : The novel, Animal Farm, has been narrated by a third-person narrator . It is also called an omniscient narrator, who happens to be the author himself, as he can see things from all perspectives .
• Protagonist : Snowball and the Old Major are two main protagonists of Animal Farm, as they lay the foundations of the revolution.
• Paradox : Animal Farm shows the use of paradox in its amusing way. The statement, “All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others” is a paradox where to illogical concepts have been bound together.
• Rhetorical Questions : The play shows good use of rhetorical questions at several places. For example,
• “Now, comrades, what is the nature of this life of ours?” (Chapter-I)
• “But is this simply part of the order of nature? Is it because this land of ours is so poor that it cannot afford a decent life to those who dwell upon it?” (Chapter-I)
• “Why should we care what happens after we are dead?” or “If this Rebellion is to happen anyway, what difference does it make whether we work for it or not?” (Chapter-I)

These examples show the use of rhetorical questions mostly posed by the Old Major in Animal Farm. They are not supposed to elicit answers from the animals. They are rather supposed to make them aware of the existing realities.

• Theme : It is a central idea that the novelist or the writer wants to stress upon. The novel, Animal Farm is a critique of the revolutions such as the Russian Revolution or the Cuban Revolution. It also shows violence, human nature, and the use of deception.
• Setting : The setting of the novel, Animal Farm, is the farm where the rebellion takes place and where the animals set up their own government.
• Simile : The novel, Animal Farm, shows good use of various similes.For example,
• It was decided to set the gun up at the foot of the Flagstaff, like a piece of artillery (Chapter-IV)
• The earth was like iron, and nothing could be done in the fields. (Chapter-V)
• All that year the animals worked like slaves. (Chapter-VI)

The first simile compares the gun to a piece of artillery, in the second example, the earth is compared to the hot iron, and in the third one, animals are compared to slaves.

• Symbol : Animal Farm, the barn, the windmill , and the gun are symbols of different gadgets that the animals place value to show that they have brought a revolution and that the common people are always oppressed under any type of regime.
• Verbal Irony : The novel shows verbal irony through some of its commandments such as “All animals are equal but some are more equal than others.” This is an irony that equality shows through its use with “more.”

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15 RELEVANT ANIMAL FARM ESSAY IDEAS

Reading for pleasure allows enjoying the process instead of forcing yourself to make it through. Most of the people who start reading George Orwell's "Animal Farm" share that they are immersed in the novel completely. Even those who tell that books aren't their cup of tea agree that this story is a masterpiece.

Still, choosing the proper "Animal Farm" essay ideas to discuss in an academic paper isn't an easy task. Writing a good essay on this topic can be a challenge. That's because the book itself is rather philosophical - there's a lot of issues to analyze. The narrator covers many aspects related to politics, history, sociology, and psychology, and any area will be a relevant ground for your writing. You may ask how it is possible to highlight those issues if the book is about animals. But, while working on your homework assignment on "Animal Farm," you will discover the meaning of different techniques author uses to deliver his ideas.

As in the case with many other writings, an essay on Orwell's novel aims to make a student analyze the concepts, images, and messages covered in the book. And, if you are going to write a good essay, the first and major step remains the same - you have to choose and formulate a relevant topic. But how to find a perfect one? In this article, we will go through some issues that may be used by students of Literature specialties. We hope that our ideas will inspire you and help to come up with a judgment of a topic you need.

Recall the Background

First, let us recall the basics of the book's plot so that everyone will get the point without reading the entire piece.

It all starts when an aged boar who represents the farm's major calls a meeting. It suggests that the pets are nothing but garner Jones's slaves that have no rights of freedom, and the man gains the advantage of using them for his own purposes. The boar calls for a revolution to fight for rights, and in three days, it kicks the bucket. The pets get rid of Jones's easily and occupy his lands - the Animal Farm is founded.

There is another character, a pig named Snowball, which is presented in a book as an idealist. For it, being free means being polite and educated. That is why Snowball tries to teach the animals things that people can do - reading and thinking logically. Snowball believes that everyone should respect each other and be equal.

And, Boxer - a horse that is the strongest animal on the farm. With Snowball, these two get along well at first. But that's until the smart Snowball offers to build a windmill and provide all animals with electricity. The opposition traits it as an endeavor and scare off Snowball by bringing out the dogs. Napoleon, who is in the head of the farm, decides that now, only pigs have a right to make decisions and implement laws. And that is when it's getting worse. During an attempt to build the windmill using Boxer and other animals as slaves or free labor, Napoleon crashes down. As the windmill falls over, he blames Snowball for everything taking place.

So, how does the plot remind you of a real-life situation? What social issues do you think are hidden in the book "Animal Farm" and how can you use them for a good essay? Take your time - we have prepared an insightful guide on how to implement those ideas from the novel in your writing.

15 Best "Animal Farm" Paper Topics

To begin with, collect the necessary information from the external sources and the book itself, and develop an outline. The best reference is the original Orwell's story, for sure. Have the book right beside you to consult it, if needed. While reading, make notes to pick the best quotes, and support your statements well.

The next stage is to make an outline - it will help you to move on while writing a paper. Depending on the theme you choose, your points will be named differently, but the overall image of your outline can be the following:

• A quote from the story
• The significance of the selected question
• Background information
• Thesis statement
• Claim 1 (A farm represents the country)
• Claim 2 (Animals underestimate the role of farm in their lives)
• Claim 3 (A farm as a real-life image from your experience)
• Paraphrased thesis statement
• Summary of the main points (claims)
• A rhetorical question (how far it could go if...)

At this stage, make sure that your paragraphs are organized logically, and the essay content will be coherent for the audience. The theme you select has a great impact on how your overall structure will look. And now, it is time to list the possible topics to write on.

The story is full of extraordinary characters that you can discuss. Pick and analyze one of them and try not to retell the plot.

• Snowball: A Vivacious Pig
• Squealer as an Example of a Brilliant Talker
• Boxer: An Enormous Beast
• The brutality of the nine dogs
• Benjamin and the stereotypes about the older generation

Those can be a good ground for a character analysis essay as well.

"Animal Farm" covers various social and political issues, so you have plenty of ideas to choose from.

• Leadership & corruption
• Total control of the labor class
• Lies and deception
• American Dream
• Social injustice

These are the central themes covered by George Orwell, and investigating one of them through the novel's plot will be a relevant choice.

There are many hidden messages in the story written by Orwell. If you can see those references, you understand what historical events are described in the book, and if you're not a fan of symbols - here are some topics for you:

• Character symbols: what do Old Major and Snowball symbolize?
• Image of the Soviet Union in The Animal Farm
• Parallels of historical and political events with the book plot
• The Battle of the Cowshed
• Post-communistic spirit and the role of the windmill

Those were some relevant essay topics for your Animal Farm assignment. Feel free to use them and express your ideas on the book in the best manner.

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Animal Farm — The use of power and propaganda in animal farm

The Use of Power and Propaganda in Animal Farm

• Categories: Animal Farm George Orwell Propaganda

About this sample

Words: 1721 |

Published: Jun 29, 2018

Words: 1721 | Pages: 4 | 9 min read

Works Cited

• Anderson, M. (2012). Propaganda Techniques. In M. A. Genovese (Ed.), Encyclopedia of the United States in the Twentieth Century (pp. 623-625). New York: Infobase Publishing.
• Arendt, H. (1951). The Origins of Totalitarianism. New York: Harcourt Brace & Co.
• Botsford, K. (2015). Language and Propaganda. In K. Botsford (Ed.), Propaganda and Persuasion (6th ed., pp. 117-146). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.
• Ellul, J. (1965). Propaganda: The Formation of Men's Attitudes. New York: Vintage Books.
• Orwell, G. (1946). Animal Farm. London: Secker and Warburg.
• Pratkanis, A. R., & Aronson, E. (1992). Age of Propaganda: The Everyday Use and Abuse of Persuasion. New York: W.H. Freeman and Company.
• Stanley, J. (2015). How Propaganda Works. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
• Sunstein, C. R. (2017). #Republic: Divided Democracy in the Age of Social Media. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
• Tifft, S. E. (2005). Analyzing Propaganda. In S. E. Tifft & P. M. Myers (Eds.), Handbook of Political Communication Research (pp. 263-279). New York: Routledge.
• Welch, D. (2001). Propaganda and the German Cinema, 1933-1945. Oxford: Clarendon Press.

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• George Orwell

Animal Farm

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Animal Farm: a Thesis

Thesis: Napoleon is not a democratic leader, he is a dictator. George Orwell, the author of Animal Farm, wrote this novel to discuss the role of a non-democratic leader. In the novel, Napoleon, a pig, is the leader. However, Napoleon uses his power to frighten and to control the animals. For this reason he creates lies, uses propoganda and violence to keep his authority. Therefore Napoleon is not a democratic leader, he is a dictator. Firstly, Napoleon creates lies and abuse the ideology,Animalism, with his lies.

For instance; at the Battle of the Windmill, Boxer fought bravely but got injured. His injuriy started to get worse and after a while it started to affect his work. One day a slaughter house car came by to Animal Farm and took Boxer. Animals shocked when they saw Boxer was sent to death, not to heal. After a while Napoleon explained that Boxer was sent to a hospital, not to a slaughter house. He stated that the car was belonged to a slaughter house but now it belongs to hospital and Boxer died at hospital peacefully. After a couple of days a barrel of whisky came to Animal Farm.

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This shows that Napoleon had sent Boxer to a slaughter house and bought whisky with Boxer’s meat. Napoleon abuse his power for his own profit and creates lies to abuse his power. Another example can be the milk and apple story. Napoleon tells animals that pigs are the brain of the farm and because of that, thay have to drink milk and eat apples for just themselves. He told that pigs actually doesn’t like yo eat apples but they have to eat for their health. This shows that pigs are not democratic enough to share the product.

Pigs only consume the products that they had never work for it, but keep telling lies about their heath and the importance of their role in the farm. Secondly, Napoleon uses fear to control and frighten animals. Napoleon knows that animals are afraid of Jones. Old Major’s speech was based on evil humans and how they made animals to work as slaves. Therefore animals in the farm are frighten of Jones to come back. For example; when animals does not believe a lie that pigs made up, Napoleon says “Do you want Jones to come back comrades? directly and animals stop talking because of their fear. Moreover Napoleon does not allow people to discuss his orders or lies. He states that pis know everything and if they do not obey their orders Jones might come back. Napoleon uses “Jones” to keep his authority and control the animals. Also he does not allow people to vote. This shows that he is not a democratic leader and he frighten animals to control. Thirdly. Napoleon violence to keep his authority. He never likes animals to question him or disobey his statements.

For instance; Napoleon wanted hens to give their eggs to pigs and he wanted 60 eggs per a week. He told that the need to sell eggs to get enough food for the farm. At first hens didn’t wanted to give their eggs but Napoleon threatten hens to cut off their meal. He also stated that if another animal shares their meal with hens, they will punish to death. Besides that Napoleon killes 4 pigs because of the opposition that they did t Napoleon. Napoleon made them confess the truth that they actually had never done.

Moreover a couple of animals confessed that they had a dream about not to follow Napoleon and Napoleon also killed them too. These examples shows that Napoleon is a curiel leader, a dictator, and he kills animals because of no reason. Animals can not control their dreams and it is so unkind to kill them. This shows he does not care about animals that’s why he is not a good leader. To conclude, Napoleon is not a good leader for the farm. He abuse power to keep his authority and control the animals, he creates lies for his own benefits, he frighten animals to control them and to make them believe in his lies.

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Relationships between pig farm management and facilities and lung lesions' scores and between lung lesions scores and carcass characteristics

• Zbigniew Kuberka 1 , 2 ,
• John F. Mee 3 ,
• Aurelia Walaszek-Kayaoglu 2 ,
• Małgorzata D. Klimowicz-Bodys 4 ,
• Arkadiusz Dors 5 &
• Anna Rząsa 2  

BMC Veterinary Research volume  20 , Article number:  124 ( 2024 ) Cite this article

Metrics details

The objective of this study was to examine the inter-relationships between pig farm management and facilities (as assessed by questionnaire) and post-mortem lung lesion (lung score assesment), which are the result of respiratory infections. The relationships between carcass characteristics and post-mortem lung lesion scores were also investigated.

Questionnaire responses were collected from 22 self-selecting pig farmers about their farm facilities/management and health condition of the respiratory system of pigs, including the occurrence of clinical respiratory signs, results of laboratory testing for respiratory pathogens, and the use of respiratory vaccines. When fatteners were sent to the abattoir, their carcasses ( n  = 1,976) were examined for evidence of respiratory disease by lung lesion (pleuritis pneumonia-like (PP-like) and enzootic pneumonia-like (EP-like) lesions) scoring and the Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae Index (APPI) was calculated. Carcass characteristics were recorded and, retrospectively, the prevalence of cachectic pigs was calculated. Using these variables, the relationships between farm facilities/management and lung lesions scores and the relationships between the latter and carcass characteristics and cachexia were explored. The key findings relating farm facilities and management to lung lesions were: slatted floors were associated with significantly higher EP-like lesions scores than litter bedding in weaners, single-stage fattening in the same building was associated with significantly higher EP-like lesions scores than two-stage fattening, but herd size, stocking density, use of all-in/all-out (AIAO) rule, technological break duration and variation in daily temperature did not affect lung lesions scores. The key findings relating lung lesion scores to carcass characteristics were: a significant, negative correlation between EP-like scores and carcass weight but not with other carcass characteristics, a significant positive correlation between PP-like scores and carcass meat content and prevalence of cachectic carcasses and a significant positive correlation between lung APPI and prevalence of cachectic carcasses.

Conclusions

It can be concluded that both farm facilities and management affect lung lesions scores and that the latter affect carcass characteristics. Lung lesion scoring is an inexpensive technique suitable for rapid monitoring of large numbers of carcasses that can be performed after animal slaughter. It provides useful information to inform producers about possible deficits in farm facilities or management and is a predictor of economic loss due to poorer quality carcasses.

Peer Review reports

The intensification of pig production poses ongoing challenges for veterinarians in pig herd health management. High pig farm stocking rates provide favourable conditions for the transmission of many infectious pathogens [ 1 , 2 ], which can lead to lower profitability of pig production.

The critical feature to maintaining a swine herd in health is a herd health programme including diagnosis of all diseases occurring in the herd, which include thorough anamnesis, clinical examinations and laboratory diagnostics as well as production data analysis. Nienhaus et al. [ 3 ] emphasised two groups of health indicators: resource-based and animal-based; both should be utilised, where data are available, to improve pig herd health [ 4 ].

One of the most cost-effective ways of gathering a comprehensive anamnesis is to use a standardized questionnaire [ 3 , 5 , 6 ]. In addition to anamnestic data, collection of pathological data, using scoring systems is valuable. Scoring methods are non-invasive, inexpensive and allow for an examination of a representative number of animals in a relatively short time [ 7 , 8 , 9 ].

Lung lesion scoring systems are now widely used internationally [ 9 , 10 , 11 ]. Lung scoring systems can detect the consequences of chronic infections, which are the most important from an economic point of view. The assessment is based primarily on the observation of the extent of lesions, mainly in the lung tissue and pleura. There are two common lesion types. The first type of lesion is caused most often by Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mhp) [ 12 ], and is called enzootic pneumonia-like lesions (EP-like) or cranioventral pulmonary consolidation (CVPC) [ 7 ]. The second common lesion type is associated with inflammation of the lungs and pleura called pleuropneumoniae-like lesions (PP-like, pleuritis pneumonia). The pathogens causing these lesions are Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (App), Haemophilus parasuis (Hps), Streptococcus suis (Ss), Mycoplasma hyorhinis (Mhr), and less frequently, Mhp [ 13 ]. For a comprehensive assessment of pig herd health, anamnestic information needs to be combined with abattoir-collected data.

Hence, this study’s objective was to examine inter-relationships between farm management/facility data collected by questionnaire and pig health as assessed by abattoir lung scoring. In addition, the relationships between lung scoring and carcass characterises were also explored.

Farm characteristics

Facilities and management.

While the herd sizes varied between 50 and 1,400 sows, most herds had between 80 and 120 sows. The average number of animals per m 2 for the whole room and in every pen in the fattening building was 1.19 and 1.21, respectively. On 10 (45.5%) farms, the fattening buildings had a concrete floor, 4 (18.2%) farms had both a concrete grate and a deep litter system, and 8 (36.4%) farms used a straw bedding system (5 deep and 3 shallow). The AIAO role was not followed in all production stages on any farm. This rule was used on 12 (54.4%) farms in the fattening stage. The majority of the surveyed farms (12; 54.4%) used one-stage fattening, while the remaining farms carried out two-stage fattening, and the fattening sectors were located several dozen to several hundred meters from the farrowing and nursing sectors. The technological break time in the fattening sector was from 0 to 17 days (average 4.3). However, in this sector, 2 (9.1%) farms did not apply the technological break.

Health status

At least one infectious pathogen was detected on all farms within the last year by laboratory testing of pig samples (Fig. 1 ), varying between 3 and 8 pathogens per farm. The four farms where clinical symptoms were most often observed, were porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) and Mhp positive, three of them additionally swine influenza (SI) positive, and two of them additionally App positive.

Percentage of 22 pig herds with laboratory-detected respiratory pathogens (based on questionnaire responses). Legend: Mhp (Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae); PCV2 (Porcine circovirus type 2); SIV (Swine influenza virus); PRRSV (Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus); App (Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae); Pm (Pasteurella multocida); Hps (Haemophilus parasuis); Pm + Bbr (Pasteurella multocida + Bordetella bronchiseptica)

Clinical signs of respiratory disease (coughing, dyspnoea, sneezing) were reported in 21 (95.5%) farms. The occurrence and frequency of these signs in the different production stages (farrowing, nursing, and fattening) reported in the questionnaire by the owners of 22 farms are presented in Fig. 2 .

The occurrence of coughing, dyspnoea or sneezing in the farrowing, nursery or fattening stages. Legend: n – not observed; s – sporadic; f – frequent

Vaccination

All farmers vaccinated sows against erysipelas and parvoviruses. In 21 farms (95.5%), piglets were vaccinated against mycoplasmal pneumonia of swine (MPS; enzootic pneumonia, EP), and porcine circovirus associated diseases (PCVAD). Very few farmers vaccinated against pleuropneumonia (4.6%). None of the surveyed farms vaccinated piglets and only 10 (45.5%) farmers vaccinated sows against PRRS. These data are presented in Table 1 .

Lung characteristics

Of the 1,976 lungs of assessed fatteners, 22.6% had no pathological lesions (2.5 to 55%, by herd).

EP-like lesions

EP-like lesions were present in all herds and were found in 1,452 (73.5%) of the lungs examined, varying between 37 and 94.7% by herd. Lesions of varying severity were observed as reflected in the point spread (1 to 21 points for individual lungs). The mean (SD) score for EP-like changes in all lungs was 3.38 ± 3.66 points. For lungs with lesions, the mean (SD) was 4.60 ± 3.57 points. Scars (fibrosis) were found in 11.6% of the examined lungs from 20 (90.9%) herds.

PP-like lesions

PP-like lesions were recorded in 12.1% of the examined lungs from 21 (95.5%) farms, varying between 2.4 and 43.2% in affected herds. The most frequent lesions were mild severity (0.24 ± 0.72 points). The mean (SD) score for all assessed lungs was 0,24 ± 0,72 and for lungs with PP-like lesions it was 1.96 ± 0.98 points. The mean Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae Index (APPI) value was 0.19 and ranged from 0.2 to 0.89 in the herds where it was possible to calculate this index.

The frequency and severity of post-mortem lung lesions in pigs from 22 herds are presented in Table 2 .

Carcass characteristics

The herd average carcass weight was 92.7 kg, varying between 81.2 and 103 kg by herd (Table 3 ). The herd average carcass lean meat content was 57.2%, varying between 53.1 and 61%, by herd. In total, 1,88% of carcasses were recorded as cachectic, varying between 0 and 4.9%, by farm.

Relationships between facilities/management and lung lesions

The relationships between all six facility/management variables and lung lesions scores were tested and statistically significant findings are reported. The size of the herd, use of the AIAO rule, the number of animals per 1 m 2 of the building and the length of the technological break had no significant effect on the post-mortem lung assessment.

In the herds where the weaners were kept on the slatted floor, the mean EP-like lesions score was 3.64 (SD = 1.78), while in the herds where the animals were kept on litter, it was only 1.44 (SD = 0.67) ( p  = 0.035). In two-stage fattening farms, the average percentage of pigs with EP-like lesions was 60.8% which was lower ( p  = 0.04) than on farms where pigs were fattened in the same building (79.2%). However these results were not confirmed statistically.

Correlations between lung lesion scores and carcass characteristics

EP-like lesion scores were negatively (rho = -0.08) correlated with carcass weight ( p  = 0.0015) but were not correlated with other carcass characteristics. PP-like lesion scores were positively (rho = 0.09) correlated with carcass lean meat content ( p  < 0,001). In addition, the mean PP-like lesion score was positively correlated ( r  = 0.59) with percentage of cachectic carcasses ( p  = 0.005). Moreover, there were positive correlations between the percentage of lungs with both type of lesions and APPI ( r  = 0.45, p  = 0.04 and r  = 0.60, p  = 0.009, respectively) and the percentage of cachectic pigs.

The finding that floor type (slatted or semi-slatted vs. litter) is significantly associated with lung lesions confirms results from earlier studies [ 14 , 15 , 16 ]. The lower prevalence of lung lesions in pigs accommodated on litter systems is probably the result of better thermal comfort as well as improved welfare by reducing stress, which reduces susceptibility to respiratory disease [ 17 , 18 ].

Respecting the AIAO rule important for animal health control, including respiratory diseases, and aims to limit the spread of pathogens between production sectors [ 19 ]. This rule was applied by only 54.5% of farms. The percentage of lungs showing pathological lesions was 14% higher in the herds where this rule was respected. This result is opposite to the expected one. However, adherence of the AIAO role was as reported by the owners and it could not be verified during the study. Farmers may claim to follow the AIAO rule, but often inadvertently fail to do so. Perhaps this rule was not fully implemented because of regrouping of some fatteners according to their body weight to obtain uniformity in slaughter weight [ 20 , 21 ].

Two-stage fattening was associated with a significantly lower prevalence of EP-like lesions compared to fattening in one room. Similar results, although concerning PP-like lesions, were obtained in Italy [ 22 ]. The probable reason for the results found in the present study is lower antigenic pressure in the next building to which fatteners were moved. If animals stay in one building throughout the production cycle, they are exposed to increasing contamination of the environment with various pathogens until the end of the fattening period [ 23 ].

There was no association between the duration of the technological break and the severity of lung lesions, a result similar to that reported by Merialdi et al., [ 9 ]. However, a Spanish study found a positive correlation, indicating that adoption of a technological break can reduce the prevalence and severity of lesions in the lungs of fattening pigs [ 7 ]. Too short technological break time, and certainly its absence, may have an impact on the exacerbation of clinical symptoms and pathological lesions in the lungs observed during slaughterhouse audits. In many cases, such a situation is reflected in the lack of cleaning and disinfection or carrying out these activities in a careless manner, as well as non-compliance with the AIAO principle. Negligence in this area as risk factors for respiratory diseases in pigs was described by Fablet et al. [ 1 ].

Health status and vaccination

There were no herds free from respiratory pathogens in this study and coinfections occurred commonly. The occurrence of coinfections may induce and/or intensify clinical symptoms and pathological lesions in the lungs [ 24 , 25 ]. Moreover, the farms with the highest prevalence of respiratory clinical signs had the highest pig density in the fattening sector, which could induce the symptoms due to the easier horizontal transmission of pathogens [ 1 , 26 ] and had a significant impact on the intensity and extent of lung lesions [ 19 ].

There was no metaphylactic use of antibiotics on the study farms. Antibiotics were used occasionally, to treat sick pigs, mainly during the nursery phase. A high adoption rate of vaccination against some respiratory diseases (MPS and PCVAD) was found in the examined herds (95.4%). In a previous Polish study the percentages of pig herds in which piglet vaccination against MPS and/or PCVAD was implemented was 63.5% and 49.7%, respectively [ 27 ]. This may reflect MPS and PCVAD status of the surveyed herds. In contrast, the farm-level adoption of pleuropneumonia vaccination (4.5%) was low and was similar to previously published data from Polish pig herds (6.1%) [ 27 ]. Analyses performed in 2015 showed that none of 140 farms surveyed used anti-influenza immunoprophylaxis [ 28 ], while in the current study, the percentage of farms using vaccination against swine influenza was 45.5%. In the present study 10 herds used PRRS vaccines for sows, (45.5%). Data from Germany [ 29 ] and Spain [ 7 ] show higher usage rates of these vaccines, 84% and 63.3%, respectively. In the current study, none of the surveyed herds used this method of immunoprophylaxis against piglets. In countries such as France and Belgium, the percentage of farmers using vaccination against PRRS in piglets was 7.2% [ 1 ] and 2% [ 8 ], respectively.

Prevalence of EP-like lung lesions

EP-like lesions were detected in the lungs of fatteners from all herds, and in nearly 75% of all tested lungs. This prevalence is higher than that reported in all previous comparable studies internationally. For example, in the Balkan countries – 61% of lungs [ 30 ], in Italy – 59.6% [ 31 ], and in France – 69.3% [ 32 ]. However, while the prevalence of lungs with these lesions was high, the mean lesion score (3.34) was not dissimilar to those in previous reports; similar values were obtained in Spain [ 7 ], France [ 32 , 33 ] and in Italy [ 30 ]. Apparent differences between studies could be explained by epidemiological factors such as prevalence of the underlying causal agents, differences in pig susceptibility, environmental factors such as climate, housing, or management features and methodological factors such as number of examined lungs or scoring methods [ 34 ].

The high prevalence of EP-like lesions (~ 75%) and scars (12%) in pigs, despite the use of respiratory vaccinations, is concerning. This may reflect the greater impact of facility and management factors in predisposing to respiratory disease than of vaccination to prevent respiratory disease. Other authors had similar observations and conclusions [ 35 , 36 ]. Moreover, the lack of significant difference in the prevalence of EP-like lesions between herds vaccinated and non-vaccinated has also been described previously [ 9 ].

Prevalence of PP-like lung lesions

This study showed a high prevalence of PP-like lesions at a herd-level (90%) and a lower prevalence at animal-level (11.9%). Similar herd-level (80%) and animal-level (from 11 to 12.5%) results have been reported in some studies internationally [ 37 , 38 ]. However, in general, the herd-level prevalence reported here is much higher than comparable data internationally. For example, mean herd-level prevalence scores were 10% in Scotland [ 39 ], 20.8% in Belgium [ 8 ], 27% in Denmark [ 40 ], 26.8% in Spain [ 7 ], and 15% in France [ 31 ]. These discrepancies may result from different technologies in pig rearing in these countries, for example, respecting the AIAO rule (which was not respected in all investigated farms, in the this study). Also important for analysis is the method of data collecting about the herd. In present study, data were collected by the authors’ own observations and an interview with the owner, while in most other studies, these were only telephone interviews due to the large number of herds which the animals were assessed from.

The mean score for all examined lungs was 0.24, and the mean APPI value was 0.19. These findings have not been published for pig production systems in Poland before. Research conducted in Spain showed higher values, 0.5 and 0.4 [ 7 ], and in Italy 0.83 and 0.61, respectively [ 9 ]. The higher results from Spain and Italy may have been influenced by the fact that a large proportion of the tested lungs came from an area with a very high concentration of pig farms, accounting for 43% of the total pig production in Spain and 80% in Italy. According to the information available in the Local Data Bank of the Central Statistical Office of the Republic of Poland, in recent years the pig population in Wielkopolska averaged 32.45% (from 21.78 in 2012 to 36.7% in 2015) of the total pig production in Poland. The proportion of farms closed and open production cycles could also be influence this results [ 22 ], in our research they were the only farms with a closed production cycle. The higher results obtained in Italy may also be caused by the age of the slaughtered animals (9–10 months), while in Poland it was about 100 kg (5.5–6 months). The seroprevalence of the App in animals weighing 160 kg was higher than in lighter pigs [ 9 ]. The results of studies carried out in four Balkan countries showed comparable values for APPI (0.36) and the percentage of lungs with pleuritis (14.3%) [ 41 ]. In other European countries, similar values of 0.32 and 12.7%, respectively, were recorded [ 11 ].

Relationships between lung lesions and carcass characteristics

The results reported here show that the prevalence, extent, and nature of lung lesions affect carcass characteristics, as previously documented [ 38 , 42 ]. Specifically, the influence of EP-like lesions on carcass weight found here was previously reported in an English study [ 38 ]. The latter study demonstrated that higher scoring was associated with a reduction of 0.37 kg in carcass weight. In the same study, it was shown that the carcass weight of pigs with PP-like lesions in their lungs was, on average, 1.24 kg lighter than those with no adhesions. In agreement, in the present study, the mean score of PP-like lesions, APPI value, and the percentage of lung lesions were correlated with a higher percentage of cachectic carcasses. Additionally, the present results showed not only the negative impact of lesions, such as pleuritis, on carcass weight and prevalence of cachexia, but also a significant reduction in the quality of carcasses affected by adhesions in the thoracic cavity, rendering the carcasses less valuable. Ostanello et al. [ 31 ] demonstrated an adverse effect of EP-like lesions on carcass quality. They suggested that the observed decreasing of carcass quality may be related to metabolic disorders caused by hypoxia.

Based on the findings in this study, it is concluded that EP-like lesions and PP-like lesions are frequently observed in slaughtered pigs in a Polish region with a high density of pig production, suggesting substantial economic losses. It is concluded that a risk assessment for respiratory disease should be routinely conducted using a structured questionnaire face-to-face interview between the veterinarian and the pig farmer as part of the farm herd health plan. The findings of this audit should be linked to post-mortem lung lesion scoring and the latter should be linked to carcass characteristics. This surveillance model provides the farmer and the veterinarian with data which can be used to drive decision-making on the farm to improve respiratory health. This model is convenient, inexpensive and can potentially improve pig farm health, welfare and profitability. The results of this study highlight that facility (type of floor) and management factors (number of fattening stages) were associated with the frequency and severity of EP-like lesions. Both investigated types of lesions were a risk factor for the presence of cachetic pigs. The high prevalence of pneumonic lesions justifies a need for future studies on lung lesions scoring in swine production in Poland.

Data were collected from 22 self-selecting pig farmers about their farm facilities/management and pig respiratory health, including the occurrence of clinical respiratory signs, results of laboratory testing for respiratory pathogens, and use of respiratory vaccines. Additionally, when fatteners were sent to the abattoir, their carcasses were examined for evidence of respiratory disease by lung lesion scoring, carcass characteristics were recorded, and, retrospectively, the prevalence of cachectic pigs was calculated. Using these variables, the relationships between farm facilities/management and lung lesions scores and the relationships between the latter and carcass characteristics and cachexia were explored.

This study was a part of a larger project investigating respiratory disease on pig farms in the western part of Poland (Wielkopolska), in a region with a high density of pig production [ 43 , 44 ]. In total, 22 farrow-to-finish herds, varying in size from 50 to 1,400 sows, were used. These herds were chosen from the veterinary practitioner client database ( n  = 50 clients) of the first author. All herdowners were contacted by phone or personal communication and invited to enrol in a herd health study. Those that self-selected and who sold at least 75 fatteners in a single batch and did not administer antibiotics at least 14 days prior to slaughter were enrolled.

Questionnaire

One veterinary practitioner (the first author) administered a questionnaire ( n  = 43 questions) to the 22 pig farm owners by on-farm, face-to-face interview. The questionnaire was designed, based on others available in the literature [ 12 , 14 , 16 , 45 ]. The questionnaire had three sections (see Additional file 1 ). In this paper we address the relationships between the answers in the first section of the questionnaire: A - Management and production organization and lung lesions and carcass characteristics in the 12 months prior to the interview. We also describe the health status and vaccination regimes on the farms taken from section B ( Herd health status ) and C ( Veterinarian activity ).

Facilities/management variables

The following six variables were extracted from the questionnaire data to analyse the impact of facilities/management on the post-mortem lung assessment: herd size (no. sows), number of animals per 1 m 2 of a building, floor type, AIAO rule, number of fattening stages, duration of the technological break.

Lung lesion and cachexia scoring

Pigs from one batch of fatteners from each of the 22 herds were scored for lesions; in total, 1,976 pigs were scored; 75 to 140 per/herd. The lung scoring was carried out by the same veterinarian who administered the questionnaire – a swine disease specialist. Two types of lung lesions were scored: EP-like and PP-like.

The two-dimensional method described by Madec and Kobisch [ 46 ] was used to assess EP-like lesions, modified to account for the presence of scars which were defined as resolved lesions attributed to EP [ 40 ]. Lungs with no EP-like lesions were scored 0 and those with any such lesions 1.

PP-like lesions were scored using the Slaughterhouse Pleurisy Evaluating System (SPES) method [ 7 , 9 , 47 , 48 ]. In relation to the group of carcasses, the APPI was calculated according to the formula:

score 2 – limited inflammatory lesions with slight to moderate extensions into one of the diaphragmatic lobes;

score 3 – lesions like 2, but bilateral, in one of the diaphragmatic lobes can be extensive;

score 4 – severely extended lesions, at least 1/3 of both diaphragmatic lobes.

A.P. – average lungs’ punctation for lungs with 2,3,4 score.

Animals were retrospectively classified as cachectic if their carcass weight was less than two standard deviations below the mean of the batch.

Carcass characterises

The carcass weight and lean meat content were recorded using EU-approved equipment in the slaughterhouses.

Statistical analysis

The relationships between the six facilities/management variables in the questionnaire and the frequency and severity of lung scores and cachectic pigs were explored and the inter-relationships between these outcome variables were also examined. The continuous variables were subjected to the W. Shapiro-Wilk test for normality and based on the distribution outcome, the Pearson or Rho-Spearman test was chosen. Specifically, the Pearson test was used to determine the relationships between the lung lesion score (EP- or PP-like) and percentage of lungs with lesions and average carcass weight, lean meat content, and percentage of cachectic pigs in a given herd batch. Additionally, the Rho-Spearman correlations (rho) were calculated for individual fatteners between lung scoring evaluations, carcass weight and lean meat content. Data are presented as mean and standard deviation SD (±), number (n), percentage (%) and coefficient of variability – CV (%). The significance level adopted in all tests was p  < 0.05. Statistica 8.0 and Microsoft Excel with the Real Statistics Resource Pack for Excel 2013/2016 were used to analyse the data.

Availability of data and materials

The datasets used and analysed during the current study are included in the article. More details of the information of the cases are not available for public access because of privacy concerns, but available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Abbreviations

Like–pleuritis pneumonia like

Like–enzootic pneumonia like

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae Index

All–in/all–out

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae

Cranioventral pulmonary consolidation

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae

Haemophilus parasuis

Streptococcus suis

Mycoplasma hyorhinis

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome

Mycoplasmal pneumonia of swine

Enzootic pneumonia

Porcine circovirus associated disease

Slaughterhouse Pleurisy Evaluating System

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Zbigniew Kuberka

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Zbigniew Kuberka, Aurelia Walaszek-Kayaoglu & Anna Rząsa

Animal and Bioscience Department, Teagasc the Agriculture and food Development Authority, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland

John F. Mee

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Contributions

ZK, AD and AR designed the study; ZK collected the data and performed post-mortem assessments; ZK, JFM, AR, AW-K and MDK-B wrote the paper; JFM significantly edited the manuscript content, corrected the language and reviewed the final version of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Ethics approval and consent to participate.

As no experimental animal procedures were performed, ethical approval was not required for the post-mortem assessments (Ethical statement no 5/2023; Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Welfare Advisory Team). Individual oral informed consent was obtained from the owners for the participation of their animals in this study. The questionnaire collected information only on pig farm conditions (management and production organisation), herd health and pig vaccination.

Prior to interview, informed consent to collect and use the data about the pigs and the pig farms was obtained from all participants. In addition, participants were informed about the goals and the methods (including anonymity) before the interviews. These data were collected in the provision of veterinary services. In Polish law Article 28(5) of the Act of 18 December 2003 on “Animal health facilities” states that “Data contained in the documentation related to the provision of veterinary services may be used in scientific work and published in professional journals under the condition of protection of the animal’s personal data” ( https://isap.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/DocDetails.xsp?id=WDU20040110095 ), hence ethical approval is not required as this study adhered to appropriate national guidelines.

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Kuberka, Z., Mee, J.F., Walaszek-Kayaoglu, A. et al. Relationships between pig farm management and facilities and lung lesions' scores and between lung lesions scores and carcass characteristics. BMC Vet Res 20 , 124 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-024-03968-2

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Received : 24 March 2023

Accepted : 04 March 2024

Published : 28 March 2024

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-024-03968-2

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