Effects of Different Farrowing Environments on the Behavior of Sows and Piglets

Zhang, Xiaojun; Li, Cong-Cong; Hao, Ya; Gu, Xianhong

doi:10.3390/ani10020320

Cited by 18 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Similar to our results, Chidgey et al [ 11 ], comparing temporary crates (opening at day 4) with conventional farrowing crates, found that after opening the crate, a greater proportion of piglets died by being laid on. In contrast to our findings, other studies, such as [ 16 , 18 , 19 , 24 ] did not find a significant effect of housing on piglet mortality from being laid on.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

“…We found that the total percentage of piglet mortality was higher for T4 litters than T7 and PC, and T7 did not differ from the PC group. This is consistent with studies that have found no differences in piglet survival when comparing loose housed sows with crated sows [ 5 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]. In contrast, a meta-analysis by Glencorse et al [ 20 ], found that the risk of total piglet mortality was 14% higher for animals raised in pens compared with those in crates.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

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Impact of Duration of Farrowing Crate Closure on Physical Indicators of Sow Welfare and Piglet Mortality

Ceballos

Góis

Parsons

et al. 2021

Animals

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This study examines effects of opening hinged farrowing crates 4 or 7 days post-farrowing. Sows (n = 696) allocated to 3 treatments: PC—crate closed, T4—crate opened day 4, and T7—crate opened day 7 were assessed for body condition score (BCS), lameness, shoulder lesions and teat lesions. Piglet mortality was higher in T4 (27.8%) compared to T7 (23.9%) and PC (25.9%) (p < 0.05) which did not differ with T7 (p > 0.05). No difference in risk of being laid on was found 1–3 days post-farrowing with all crates closed (p > 0.05). Day 4–6, piglets in T4, experienced higher risk of being laid on compared to PC (IRR = 2.5, p < 0.05), and T7 (IRR = 2.3, p < 0.05). Days 7–15 post-farrowing, risk of piglets dying from being laid on was higher in open crates, T4 and T7, versus PC (T4: IRR = 3.89, T7: IRR = 3.5, p < 0.05). We found higher risk for teat lesions in PC sows at weaning (p < 0.05). With crates open, risk of piglets being laid on increased between 7 days and weaning, but total piglet mortality did not differ and the sow’s risk for teat lesions decreased. Our results, therefore, support opening crates at day 7.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Impact of Duration of Farrowing Crate Closure on Physical Indicators of Sow Welfare and Piglet Mortality

Ceballos

Góis

Parsons

et al. 2021

Animals

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Recent work showed that environmental enriched housing could have positive effects on the development of the immune system and the establishment of gut microbiota in early life [ 133 ]. Enabling sows to build a nest and offering straw during farrowing and lactation can prevent skin and claw lesions in piglets [ 134 ], increase activity, and reduce abnormal behaviour in the sows [ 135 ]. Furthermore, there is a knock-on effect of reducing sows’ stress at the end of gestation in that it may positively affect the offspring, influencing the activity of the HPA axis and reducing the incidence of aggressiveness and belly-nosing [ 136 ].…”

Section: Improving Housing Environment and Management Practices To Re...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Linking Animal Welfare and Antibiotic Use in Pig Farming—A Review

Albernaz-Gonçalves

Antillón

Hötzel

2022

Animals

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Preventative measures, such as biosecurity and vaccinations, are essential but not sufficient to ensure high standards of health in pig production systems. Restrictive, barren housing and many widely used management practices that cause pain and stress predispose high-performance pigs reared in intensive systems to disease. In this context, antibiotics are used as part of the infrastructure that sustains health and high levels of production in pig farms. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global emergency affecting human and animal health, and the use of antibiotics (AMU) in intensive livestock farming is considered an important risk factor for the emergence and spread of resistant bacteria from animals to humans. Tackling the issue of AMR demands profound changes in AMU, e.g., reducing their use for prophylaxis and ending it for growth promotion. In support of such recommendations, we revise the link between animal welfare and AMU and argue that it is crucial to sustainably reduce AMU while ensuring that pigs can live happy lives. In support of such recommendations, we aimed to revise the link between animal welfare and AMU in pigs by analysing stress factors related to housing and management and their impact on pig welfare. In particular, we reviewed critical management practices that increase stress and, therefore, pigs’ susceptibility to disease and reduce the quality of life of pigs. We also reviewed some alternatives that can be adopted in pig farms to improve animal welfare and that go beyond the reduction in stress. By minimising environmental and management stressors, pigs can become more immunocompetent and prepared to overcome pathogenic challenges. This outcome can contribute to reducing AMU and the risk of AMR while simultaneously improving the quality of life of pigs and, ultimately, maintaining the pig industry’s social license.

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“…In this regard, the amount of nesting material and free space available at parturition may be important for the sow’s motivation to perform nesting behavior. Loose-housed sows are more active and exhibit less abnormal behaviors than sows in farrowing crates [ 27 ]. In the same study, nesting materials improved sow and piglet investigative behavior.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Postpartum dysgalactia syndrome in sows: effects on behavior of sows and piglets

Kaiser

Herskin

Jacobsen³

et al. 2022

Porc Health Manag

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Background To investigate if specific sow and piglet behavioral characteristics could be used diagnostically, this case-cohort study of the behavior of sows and piglets during the periparturient period (from 24 h before the birth of first piglet to 24 h after the birth of last piglet) was conducted. Data included 32 sows diagnosed with PDS (PDS+) vs. 37 healthy matched controls (PDS−) and their litters. Results A significant change from active behavior with many postural changes to a more passive behavior was noted in connection with parturition. Sow nesting behavior was less frequent in PDS+ sows compared to PDS− sows during (p = 0.04) and after parturition (p = 0.0004). No difference was found between PDS+ and PDS− in the number of postural changes, interval from last time standing to the birth of the first piglet, interval from last time eating/drinking to the birth of the first piglet, interval from the birth of the first piglet to the sow standing after farrowing, interval from the birth of the last piglet until eating/drinking, occurrence of bar biting, or frequency or duration of eating/drinking during the observation period. Piglets of PDS+ sows stayed outside the creep areas more often than piglets of PDS− sows (p < 0.0001), but there was no difference in the mean number of piglets observed massaging the udder every 10 min. Conclusion These results confirm that sow behavior changes from active before parturition to more passive after parturition. Being diagnosed with PDS affected the periparturient behavior of sows as well as their piglets. The observed reduction in nesting behavior in PDS+ sows may suggest that a highly motivated piglet-oriented behavior was affected. However, classical sickness behaviors like lethargy and passivity seem to be poor markers for PDS.

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Effects of Different Farrowing Environments on the Behavior of Sows and Piglets

Cited by 18 publications

References 32 publications

Impact of Duration of Farrowing Crate Closure on Physical Indicators of Sow Welfare and Piglet Mortality

Impact of Duration of Farrowing Crate Closure on Physical Indicators of Sow Welfare and Piglet Mortality

Linking Animal Welfare and Antibiotic Use in Pig Farming—A Review

Postpartum dysgalactia syndrome in sows: effects on behavior of sows and piglets

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