Effect of Floor Type on the Severity of Foot Lesions and Osteochondrosis in Swine

Abstract

Foot lesions were most severe (P < 0.01) in starter pigs which were penned on wovenwire flooring. There was also a tendency (P< 0.06) towards more severe hind-toe lesions in 94-kg gilts which were penned on woven-wire flooring. In general, the lateral digits of the feet of these gilts had more severe lesions (P<0.01) than the medial digits.

The importance of straw for pig and cattle welfare: A review

“…On the other hand, the prevalence of movement disorders, claw damage and other leg injuries is higher on concrete floors without bedding (Brennan and Aherne, 1987;Andersen and Bøe, 1999). This could explain why the prevalence of bursitis with slaughter pigs and injured knees with piglets is less when straw is used Hatchell, 1998, 1999).…”

Differentiation of the effects of somatotropin and enhanced growth rate on the occurrence of osteochondrosis in pigs

“…The cartilage soundness of the proximal and distal humerus and femur was scored from 1 (normal) to 5 (severe damage), as described by Brennan and Aherne (1987 (1992), Azain et al (1992) and Beltranena et al (1993).…”

Opinion of the Scientific Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW) on a request from the Commission related to welfare of weaners and rearing pigs: effects of different space allowances and floor

“…However, at low temperature, housing on aluminium slats gave poorer feed efficiency than on concrete or plastic slats (Wilson et al, 1977;Orr et al, 1978). Brennan and Aherne (1987) found no difference in the growth of five week weaned piglets housed on plastic coated expanded metal or woven wire floors, despite more severe foot lesions on the latter flooring. Similarly, Lindemann et al (1985) found that despite lower injury scores for plastic-coated expanded metal, plastic coated woven wire and perforated galvanised panels than there were for galvanised expanded metal and galvanised woven wire, the flooring had no effect on lesion score or on liveweight gain.…”

“…For example, Kornegay et al (1981) reported fewer foot pad lesions with plastic coated expanded metal (2.9 mm diameter, 1.3 x 2.5 cm void) compared to galvanised, flattened expanded metal (2.9 mm diameter, 1.9 x 3.8 cm void) or galvanised woven wire (4.6 mm diameter, 1.0 x 3.8 cm void). Brennan and Aherne (1987) also reported more foot lesions in weaned piglets kept on woven wire than on plastic covered expanded metal. Similarly, Lindemann et al (1985) found that foot pad scores were lower (less cuts, cracks and abrasions) for plastic-coated expanded metal (2.9 mm diameter, 1.5 x 2.6 cm void), plastic coated woven wire (4.6 mm diameter, 0.9 x 3.8 cm void) and perforated galvanised panels (0.9 x 1.8 cm void) than for galvanised expanded metal (2.9 mm diameter, 1.3 x 3.3 cm void) and galvanised woven wire (4.6 mm diameter, 1.0 x 3.8 cm void).…”