Effects of Farrowing Stall Layout and Number of Heat Lamps on Sow and Piglet Production Performance

Abstract

Most farrowing facilities in the United States use stalls and heat lamps to improve sow and piglet productivity. This study investigated these factors by comparing production outcomes for three different farrowing stall layouts (traditional, expanded creep area, expanded sow area) and use of one or two heat lamps. Data were collected on 427 sows and their litters over one year. Results showed no statistical differences due to experimental treatment for any of the production metrics recorded, excluding percent stillborn. Parity one sows had fewer piglets born alive (p < 0.001), lower percent mortality (p = 0.001) and over-lay (p = 0.003), and a greater number of piglets weaned (p < 0.001) with lower average daily weight gain (ADG) (p < 0.001) and more uniform litters (p = 0.001) as compared to higher parity sows. Farrowing turn, associated with group/seasonal changes, had a significant impact on most of the production metrics measured. Number of piglets born influenced the percent stillborn (p < 0.001). Adjusted litter size had a significant impact on percent mortality (p < 0.001), percent over-lay (p < 0.001), and number of piglets weaned (p < 0.001). As the number of piglets weaned per litter increased, both piglet ADG and litter uniformity decreased (p < 0.001). This information can be used to guide producers in farrowing facility design.

Effect of farrowing pen size on pre-weaning performance of piglets

“…Only one published study has compared farrowing pen sizes utilizing sows kept in crates during lactation. Leonard et al (2020) found no effect on piglet pre-weaning mortality or weaning weight from keeping sows and litters during lactation in pens with floor areas of either 3.2 m 2 (pen dimensions 1.52 by 2.13 m) or 4.5 m 2 (pen dimensions 1.83 by 2.44 m), results that are similar to those of the current study. The dimensions and area of the smaller pens in the study of Leonard et al (2020) were similar to the Standard treatment of the current study ( Table 1 ).…”

“… Leonard et al (2020) found no effect on piglet pre-weaning mortality or weaning weight from keeping sows and litters during lactation in pens with floor areas of either 3.2 m 2 (pen dimensions 1.52 by 2.13 m) or 4.5 m 2 (pen dimensions 1.83 by 2.44 m), results that are similar to those of the current study. The dimensions and area of the smaller pens in the study of Leonard et al (2020) were similar to the Standard treatment of the current study ( Table 1 ). However, the larger pen size in the study of Leonard et al (2020) was greater than the Increased treatment of the current study.…”

“…The dimensions and area of the smaller pens in the study of Leonard et al (2020) were similar to the Standard treatment of the current study ( Table 1 ). However, the larger pen size in the study of Leonard et al (2020) was greater than the Increased treatment of the current study.…”

“…However, most U.S. facilities utilize farrowing crates to confine sows during lactation ( McGlone, 2013 ). Only one large-scale controlled study has compared farrowing pens of differing sizes in facilities which used sow crates; however, this study found no effects of pen size on piglet mortality or growth ( Leonard et al, 2020 ). Further research is necessary to determine the effects of farrowing pen size on piglet pre-weaning performance using the large litter sizes that are typical of current commercial production.…”

Farm Animals Are Long Away from Natural Behavior: Open Questions and Operative Consequences on Animal Welfare

“…Just a few examples are the superior care associated with intensive systems, such as higher veterinary care, control of the production environment in terms of temperature, humidity and light, and better feeding and managements strategies [ 71 ]. Another example is represented by the use of piglet lamps in the sow farrowing pens compared to body heat of the mother in extensive pig systems [ 72 ]. It follows that animal welfare is a technology that, like the others used for animal breeding, must be studied and applied not only for ethical purposes, but also to obtain the best coupling between available environmental conditions and animal health and productivity.…”