Consequences for Piglet Performance of Group Housing Lactating Sows at One, Two, or Three Weeks Post-Farrowing

Thomsson, Ola; Magnusson, Ulf; Eliasson-Selling, Lena; Wallenbeck, Anna; Bergqvist, Ann-Sofi

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0156581

Cited by 18 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…This has also been reported by Terry et al (2013), who found that with four treatments; control and three split wean treatments (with three, five or seven of the heaviest piglets removed from the sow on Day 18 lactation), the control sows had a lower subsequent total born [28]. One disadvantage of multisuckle systems is that they can result in increases in pre-weaning mortality (Thomsson et al, 2016) [29]. If this is in fact the case, our results suggest that this could be offset by better subsequent reproduction with multisuckle systems.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 56%

“…This reduction in lactation length results in earlier piglet weaning (21 to 28 days) and a more drastic response shown by the piglets to weaning, consequently an effect of stress and poor welfare [36]. Thomsson et al (2016) looked at the effects of imposing a multisuckle treatment at one, two and three weeks after weaning and found that overall piglet mortality was positively correlated with mortality in the multi-suckling pen for piglets group housed at one week and at two weeks post-farrowing, but not for piglets group housed at three weeks post-farrowing [29]. This particular research shows us that overall piglet mortality is not affected in multisuckle groups if sows and piglets are group housed at three weeks post-farrowing.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mixing Sows into Alternative Lactation Housing Affects Sow Aggression at Mixing, Future Reproduction and Piglet Injury, with Marked Differences between Multisuckle and Sow Separation Systems

Greenwood

Dissel

Rayner

et al. 2019

Animals

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Simple SummaryAlternative lactation housing could reduce aggression when sows are mixed. We aimed to compare the effects of mixing sows during lactation (with or without piglets) at weaning and after insemination and determine the effects of mixing strategies and lactation housing on the piglet. Sows in the multisuckle treatment were the least aggressive, had the fewest injuries around mixing, and gave birth to the most piglets at the subsequent litter, with multisuckle housing having no apparent ill effects on the piglets. There was greater aggression in sows separated from their piglets for seven hours daily in lactation (SEP) than any other method. Multisuckle housing appears to be an effective way of decreasing aggression at the point of mixing, whilst optimizing sow reproduction. The behavioural response to mixing was similar when it occurred at weaning or after insemination, with the highest incidence of aggression observed in sows mixed without their piglets during lactation.AbstractAlternative lactation housing could reduce aggression when sows are mixed. We aimed to compare the effects of mixing sows in lactation (with or without piglets), at weaning or after insemination, and determine the effects of lactation housing on the piglet. This study used 120 multiparous Large White × Landrace sows and 54 focal litters. The sows were mixed into groups of six and allocated to multisuckle from day 21 lactation (MS), separated from litter and housed in groups, with piglets left in the crate for seven hours daily from day 21 lactation (SEP), mixed at weaning (day 28 lactation) (WEAN) and mixed after artificial insemination (AI) (MAI; 4 ± 1 day after last AI). Behaviour, saliva for free salivary cortisol concentration and injury counts were taken on M-1 (before mixing), M0 (mixing), M1 and M6. Piglets were weighed, injury-scored and bloods taken for cortisol. There was reduced aggression, seen as fights, bites and knocks in MS compared to the other treatments on all days (p < 0.05). MS sows had no fights on M1 and M6 and had more piglets born in the subsequent farrowing. Piglet weight, cortisol and mortality were unaffected by treatment (p > 0.05). MS piglets had greater injury scores immediately after moving to multisuckle and lower injuries around weaning (p > 0.001). Multisuckle housing could decrease aggression and stress at mixing in sows, with changes in the time of peak piglet injury (at mixing rather than at weaning) but overall no negative effects on the piglets.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 56%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mixing Sows into Alternative Lactation Housing Affects Sow Aggression at Mixing, Future Reproduction and Piglet Injury, with Marked Differences between Multisuckle and Sow Separation Systems

Greenwood

Dissel

Rayner

et al. 2019

Animals

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“…Selection for increased litter size has been associated with more low-birth-weight piglets per litter (Milligan et al, 2002). Farrowing house management has been shown to significantly affect piglet mortality (Kirkden et al, 2013;Thomsson et al, 2016). For instance, proper management of farrowing induction (timing and dosage, close supervision) is shown to reduce piglet mortality (Decaluwe et al, 2012, Kirkden et al, 2013.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors associated with specific health, welfare and reproductive performance indicators in pig herds from five EU countries

Chantziaras

Dewulf

Limbergen

et al. 2018

Preventive Veterinary Medicine

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Production diseases are often of multi-factorial origin in which environment (housing, nutrition and management) health and reproductive challenges show complex interactions. The aim of this study was to identify specific environment-related factors and to discuss their associations with health, welfare and reproductive performance in sows and piglets, in diverse systems using data from 130 farms from five EU countries. Two sets of data were used: a) a questionnaire was developed for sows and piglets covering farm management, interventions and housing and b) farm production data covering various performance parameters. Eight parameters were further selected, four of which were related to sow reproductive performance (litter index, replacement rate, repeat breeding (i.e. failure to breed after one mating), weaning to first mating interval) and the remaining four to litter / piglet health performance (piglets born alive per litter, piglets born dead per litter, preweaning mortality rate and weaned piglets per litter). Univariable and multivariable linear models were employed to identify risk factors. Associations were considered significant if P ≤ 0.007 (a criterion of p≤0.05 corrected for the number of parameters tested). Various risk and protective factors were identified for each tested outcome variable. Country effects were included in all models as a fixed factor. Adjusted R-squared values for the multivariable models varied between 9.6% (preweaning mortality) and 66% (litter index). Litter index (litters/sow/year) was negatively associated with a higher weaning age of the piglets. Housing recently weaned sows to be inseminated in a separate unit from the gestation unit had a positive association with litter index. Repeat breeding was negatively associated with PRRS-free farms, farms that bred (raised) all gilts on the farm and farms that perform farrowing induction of sows. PRRS-free farms were also associated with a higher replacement rate. Farms that bred gilts on the farm and PRRS-free farms were negatively associated with preweaning mortality. Natural ventilation in the gestation unit was associated with fewer piglets born alive and with fewer weaned piglets. Closed type of farms was associated with less piglets born dead. The use of open box housing system for pregnant sows (provision of individual resting areas) was associated with more weaned piglets. In conclusion, several factors related to applying good farm and health management, and optimal housing conditions showed positive association with various sow and piglet performance parameters. Further studies will help to assess causal links for these factors.

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“…Piglets that were socialized during lactation were also more "sleepy/tired" or "content/relaxed" than un-socialized pigs which were more "active/ curious" or "aggressive/dominant". This suggests that the socializing that often occurs in organic systems may be beneficial from a welfare perspective of piglets (Morgan et al 2014), but the time for mixing is essential in order not to adventure piglet health (Thomsson et al 2016).…”

Section: Behavioural Effectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Health and welfare in organic livestock production systems—a systematic mapping of current knowledge

et al. 2020

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This review aimed to systematically map and summarize the status of animal health and welfare in organic production. The prevalence of diseases and behavioural effects in organic dairy cow, beef cattle, sheep, pig, laying hen and broiler chicken were discussed in the context of the organic values and current knowledge on animal health and welfare. In total 166 peer-reviewed scientific publications between 2008 and 2020 were included. No strong evidence for neither inferior nor distinctly higher animal welfare in organic compared with conventional production could be supported. The welfare status of organic livestock is in general good in relation to the OIE definition of animal health and welfare. However, organic systems are still facing several challenges related to animal health and the arising of goal conflicts due to management and practical implications. Greater possibilities to perform species-specific behaviours in organic production systems, however, indicate that the organic standards offer a good framework for high animal welfare management. For organic dairy farmers, the main health problems are similar to those of non-organic farms; especially mastitis and lameness need improvement. Parasites, together with mastitis and lamb mortality, are important welfare issues in organic sheep production. Piglet mortality, leg problems, parasite load and increasing respiratory problems are of major relevance in organic pig production. For organic laying hens, major health challenges relate to feather pecking and cannibalism, parasites and possibilities to express species-specific behaviours. For organic broilers, dermatitis of footpads, hocks and breast are reported as main health issues.

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Consequences for Piglet Performance of Group Housing Lactating Sows at One, Two, or Three Weeks Post-Farrowing

Cited by 18 publications

References 25 publications

Mixing Sows into Alternative Lactation Housing Affects Sow Aggression at Mixing, Future Reproduction and Piglet Injury, with Marked Differences between Multisuckle and Sow Separation Systems

Mixing Sows into Alternative Lactation Housing Affects Sow Aggression at Mixing, Future Reproduction and Piglet Injury, with Marked Differences between Multisuckle and Sow Separation Systems

Factors associated with specific health, welfare and reproductive performance indicators in pig herds from five EU countries

Health and welfare in organic livestock production systems—a systematic mapping of current knowledge

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