Transitioning from crates to free farrowing: A roadmap to navigate key decisions

Baxter, Emma; Moustsen, V.A.; Goumon, Sébastien; Illmann, Gudrun; Edwards, Sandra

doi:10.3389/fvets.2022.998192

Cited by 11 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 98 publications

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“…Moreover, it should be said that the piglets’ mortality recorded in this study during lactation in both the experimental groups is higher than those reported in the literature for hyperprolific sows (Baxter et al [ 40 ] reported a lactational mortality close to 15%), but it might be related to the temporary crating of the sows in the farrowing pen. In fact, free lactation is reported as one of the major causes of piglets’ mortality due to crushing [ 41 , 42 ]. In the present study, lactation efficiency was improved in the group of treated sows.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Administration of Inactivated and Stabilized Whole-Cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to Gestating Sows Improves Lactation Efficiency and Post-Weaning Antimicrobial Use

Scollo,

Borello,

Ghilardi

et al. 2023

Veterinary Sciences

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Increasingly hyperprolific sows and the need to reduce antibiotics represent challenges in pig farming. The aim of this work was to determine the effects of a postbiotic obtained from inactivated and stabilized whole-cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, administered during the sow’s gestation, on the performance of the mother and litter. Maternal feed intake, productive parameters, colostrum quality and post-weaning piglets’ health were assessed, including antibiotic consumption. The trial involved 183 sows, divided into two groups: (1) sows fed with a daily supplementation of postbiotic during gestation (n = 90); (2) sows without any supplement (n = 93). Piglets were followed up at two different post-weaning sites. The lactation efficiency of the treated sows improved by +5.9% (41.3 ± 11.4 vs. 35.4 ± 11.6%; p = 0.011). Lactating piglets’ mortality was lower in the treated group (25.1 ± 16.7 vs. 28.8 ± 14.4%; p = 0.048). The same tendency was shown in both the weaning sites, together with a reduced antibiotic consumption in weaning site 1 (0.72 ± 0.25 vs. 1.22 ± 0.30 DDDvet/PCU; p = 0.047). The results suggest the role of this postbiotic administered to the mother in improving the health status of the piglets. Furthermore, lactation efficiency is suggested as an interesting parameter for assessing the efficiency of farming.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Administration of Inactivated and Stabilized Whole-Cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to Gestating Sows Improves Lactation Efficiency and Post-Weaning Antimicrobial Use

Scollo,

Borello,

Ghilardi

et al. 2023

Veterinary Sciences

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“…There is evidence in the livestock industries that improved human-animal interactions may enhance job-related characteristics, such as job satisfaction, motivation and commitment, thereby potentially improving the stockperson's job performance (Hemsworth and Coleman, 2011;Hemsworth et al, 2018). Therefore, if the stockperson's attitude towards interacting with farrowing and lactating sows is negative as a consequence of sow handling difficulties, personal safety issues and inexperience (Marchant Forde, 2002;Baxter and Edwards, 2022), the stockperson's job satisfaction and commitment is likely to deteriorate with adverse consequences on work motivation and commitment and consequently work performance.…”

Section: Housing and Human-animal Interactionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This information was used to update the recommended space requirements of sows during farrowing and lactation . A more recent review by Baxter et al (2022) emphasised the importance of the quality of space also, in terms of pen design and functionality and enabling the expression of fundamental behaviours including locomotion, nest building, and sow-piglet interactions. considered that while temporary confinement systems are the least costly, least risky 'alternative' to farrowing crates, they offer less in the way of improving sow welfare compared to loose farrowing and lactation housing systems.…”

Section: Piglet Mortalitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Review of the influence of farrowing and lactation housing and positive human contact on sow and piglet welfare

Hemsworth,

Tilbrook,

Galea

et al. 2023

Front. Anim. Sci.

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Farrowing crates continue to be the most common system of housing farrowing and lactating sows, however continuous confinement is one of the most contentious welfare issues in livestock production. This review aims to critically evaluate the scientific literature on the implications of two important determinants of sow and piglet welfare: housing and human contact. While the evidence in sows is contradictory, there is consistent evidence of a greater short-term cortisol response in gilts introduced to farrowing crates than pens and there is limited evidence of changes in the HPA axis consistent with sustained stress in gilts during the fourth week of lactation. Confinement of sows during lactation increases stereotypic behaviour, reduces sow-piglet interactions, nursing duration and lying behaviour, and may contribute to leg and shoulder injuries in sows. Piglets reared by sows in pens display more play and less oral manipulative behaviours and generally have better growth rates than those reared in farrowing crates. However, there is increasing interest in developing alternate housing systems with minimal sow confinement and reduced piglet mortality risk. Recent research on temporary crating of sows suggests that confinement briefly around farrowing may be the best compromise between continuous housing in farrowing crates and pens, as it may reduce live-born piglet mortality, while providing the opportunity for the sow to move more freely prior to parturition. Together with housing, the behaviour of stockpeople is a key determinant of pig welfare. Recent evidence shows that positive handling of piglets during lactation reduces fear behaviour and physiological stress responses of pigs to humans, novelty and routine husbandry practices, and thus may be enriching for piglets. As a source of enrichment, positive human interactions provide several advantages: close interactions with piglets usually occur several times daily, positive interactions can be combined with routine checks, human interactions invariably provide variability in their predictability which will minimise habituation, and positive interactions may not require additional physical resources. There is a clear need for comprehensive research examining both the short- and long-term welfare implications and the practicality of less confinement of the sow, and positive handling of both sows and piglets during lactation.

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“…The weaker a piglet, the less capable it is to react to posture changes of the sow and to avoid being crushed or trampled (8, 10-16). To protect piglets from the risk of being crushed, farrowing crates are used almost everywhere in the world (17)(18)(19). Multiple studies showed that pre-weaning mortality is higher in non-crated than in crated housing systems of the farrowing and lactating sow (reviewed by 17,18,20).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risk factors differ for viable and low viable crushed piglets in free farrowing pens

et al. 2023

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Newborn piglets have a high risk of being crushed by the sow, and this risk implies welfare and economic consequences. The aim of this study was to investigate the importance of differentiating between low viable (secondary crushing losses) and viable crushed (primary crushing losses) piglets for the evaluation of risk factors for crushing related to characteristics of the sow, the litter, and the environment. Eleven Swiss farmers recorded sows’ production data (parity class, gestation length, numbers of live-born and stillborn piglets), data (age, sex, weight, cause of death, and signs of weakness) for every live-born piglet that died in the first week after birth (piglet loss), and ambient temperature. Piglet losses were assigned to five categorical events: piglet loss, subdivided into not crushed and crushed, the latter being further subdivided into low viable crushed and viable crushed. Piglets recorded by the farmer as crushed were assigned to the events low viable crushed and viable crushed based on the piglet’s body weight and signs of weakness (diseases, malformations). Data of 9,543 live-born piglets from 740 litters were eventually used to statistically model the hazard of dying at any given time in the first week after birth due to one of these events (mixed-effects Cox model). Five potential risk factors were analyzed as co-variates: parity class, gestation length, number of live-born piglets, number of stillborn piglets, and daily number of hours with ambient temperature >30°C. We identified two risk factors for dying from the event viable crushed that were not identified as risk factors for low viable crushed, namely shorter gestation length and higher daily number of hours with ambient temperature > 30°C. Vice-versa, we identified additional live-born piglets in the litter as risk factor for low viable crushed, but not for viable crushed. Our results show the importance of differentiating between low viable and viable crushed piglets for the interpretation of risk factors for crushing losses. Therefore, we suggest that for breeding purposes and in research, this differentiation should be made.

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Transitioning from crates to free farrowing: A roadmap to navigate key decisions

Cited by 11 publications

References 98 publications

The Administration of Inactivated and Stabilized Whole-Cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to Gestating Sows Improves Lactation Efficiency and Post-Weaning Antimicrobial Use

The Administration of Inactivated and Stabilized Whole-Cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to Gestating Sows Improves Lactation Efficiency and Post-Weaning Antimicrobial Use

Review of the influence of farrowing and lactation housing and positive human contact on sow and piglet welfare

Risk factors differ for viable and low viable crushed piglets in free farrowing pens

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