The association between sow and piglet behavior

Sows in modern pig industry are often housed individually in farrowing crates a few days before farrowing until weaning. These farrowing crates limit movements of the sow and therefore also limit them in expressing their behavior. These limitations may lead to distress with the sow and can result in stereotypical behaviors. Because it is possible that the general behavior of the mother sow also influences her piglets, the hypothesis of the present study was that there is an association between the general behavior of sows and the behavior of their piglets. Our results showed that there was indeed an association between the postures and activities of sows and the behavior of their piglets, not only for nursing–suckling behavior. Results also indicated that piglets prefer resting when sows are resting. When sows were standing up, piglets were running around more. Although there were indications that piglets were more at ease when sows were bar biting compared with when they were sham chewing, a specific relationship between sow stereotypical behavior and piglet behavior could not be demonstrated in the present study. Though, it should be taken in mind that relatively low frequencies of stereotypical behaviors were observed. Furthermore, it could be that not only the prevalence of a specific stereotypical behavior is important but also a specific threshold of that specific behavior should be exceeded to induce effects on the suckling piglets. Alternatively piglets could coinduce stereotypical behavior of the mother sow.     

Impacts of a freedom farrowing pen design on sow behaviours and performance

The limited space in farrowing crate imposes many challenges, such as prolonged farrowing duration and high piglet stillbirth rate. Although the features of farrowing pens compensate for the drawbacks of farrowing crates, they are associated with high piglet crushing mortality caused by the greater space afforded to sows and their rolling-over behaviour. Therefore, a freedom farrowing pen was designed to overcome the drawbacks of both farrowing crates and farrowing pens. The main features of the freedom farrowing pen are its left anti-crushing bar and detachable right anti-crushing bar on the sides of the sow lying area. It also has a 10 cm-high anti-crushing bar in the non-lying area. Eighteen healthy, multiparous Yorkshire sows (3-7 parity) were averaged and randomly assigned to farrowing crates, farrowing pens, and freedom farrowing pens to compare the effects of the farrowing systems on sow behaviour and performance. Results showed that the farrowing duration and the mean piglet birth intervals were longer for the sows in farrowing crates than for those in farrowing pens and freedom farrowing pens (P<0.05), but there was no difference between the sows in farrowing pens and those in freedom farrowing pens (P>0.05). The piglet stillbirth rate was higher for the sows in farrowing crates than for those in farrowing pens and freedom farrowing pens (P<0.001). Crushing mortality was higher among piglets in farrowing pens (P<0.001), but there was no difference between piglets in freedom farrowing pens and those in farrowing crates (P>0.05). The freedom farrowing pen and the farrowing pen allowed sows to turn around and move freely, but because of the different structures of their anti-crushing bars, the increase in sow movement did not cause higher piglet crushing mortality (P>0.05). Sows in freedom farrowing pens were found to be more protective of their piglets.     

Maternal behaviour and performance in first-parity outdoor sows

When sows and their litters are kept outdoors, much of the responsibility for the litter is shifted from the herdsman to the sow compared to when the sows are kept indoors. Therefore, the maternal ability, including maternal behaviour, is believed to be important in outdoor piglet production. The aim of this study was to describe maternal traits in conventionally bred first-parity sows kept outdoors. Nursing behaviour, sow activity, sow body reserves, litter size and piglet growth were studied in 40 first-parity sows during a seven week long lactation. The sows were kept in groups outdoors. Sow activity (lying down or active) and nursing behaviour (nursing frequency, nursing duration and nursing terminator) were recorded on videotapes at four days post partum (pp) and directly observed at four and six weeks pp. Cross suckling was observed at four and six weeks pp. Sows were weighed and measured for backfat depth five days before farrowing, two weeks pp and at weaning seven weeks pp. Piglets were weighed at four days pp, at two weeks pp and at weaning. We concluded that sow nursing behaviour and activity are individual characteristics repeatable within sows' late lactation. Less active sows are more available for suckling. Light and thin sows have an earlier and more progressed weaning process than heavier, fatter sows. A significant positive relation was found between sow appetite in early lactation and piglet growth until weaning. Sow nursing behaviour is not important for piglet growth when sows and piglets are held in groups, piglets have access to sow feed and piglets are weaned as late as at seven weeks of age.     

Socializing piglets before weaning: effects on behavior of lactating sows, pre- and postweaning behavior, and performance of piglets

This study evaluated how socializing piglets before weaning affects behavior of lactating sows and the pre- and postweaning behavior and performance of piglets. Two farrowing rooms, each with 6 pens, and 1 nursery with 4 pens were used. In total, data were obtained from 24 sows and their litters. In each farrowing room, the solid barriers between 3 farrowing pens were removed on d 12 after farrowing, and the sows remained confined in their crates (experimental group). In the other 3 farrowing pens of each farrowing room, sows and their litters were kept under conventional conditions until weaning (control group). All piglets were weaned 28 d after birth. After weaning, piglets from each group remained together in 1 pen of the nursery. The behavior of sows (lying, standing, sitting, nursing) and piglets (lying, active, suckling) in the farrowing rooms was observed for 24 h before and for 48 h after removal of the barriers between the pens. In addition, behavior (active, lying, feeding, agonistic behavior) of piglets was observed in the nursery during the initial 48-h period after weaning. Each piglet was weighed on d 5, 12, and 28 after birth and thereafter weekly until the fifth week of rearing. In the farrowing room, mixing of litters did not influence behavior of piglets and sows. Preweaning weight gain of the piglets did not differ (P = 0.60) between the treatments. In the initial 48 h after weaning, less agonistic behavior (P < 0.001) was observed in piglets belonging to the experimental group. During 5 wk of rearing, piglets in the experimental group gained more weight compared with the control group (P = 0.05). The advantage shown by the experimental group became especially conspicuous in the first week after weaning (P = 0.05). By socializing unfamiliar piglets before weaning, stress due to mixing could at least be distanced in time from the other burdens of weaning, thereby improving performance.     

Sow performance and maternal behaviour in organic and conventional herds

Abstract

The study evaluates the first three parities of 144 Swedish Landrace×Yorkshire sows from three certified organic and three conventional commercial piglet-producing herds. Sows and litters were weaned at seven and five weeks post partum (pp) in organic and conventional herds, respectively. Herdsmen judged sow behaviour and maternal ability at farrowing, two weeks pp and at weaning. Herdsmen collected registrations of litter size, litter weight and sow fat status at farrowing and at weaning. Piglet mortality and oestrous signs were registered continuously during the nursing period. Sows in organic herds were scored to be more cautious among piglets, and to have better nursing behaviour and maternal ability in early lactation than sows in conventional herds. Piglet mortality was higher in organic than in conventional herds. Oestrus during lactation was only observed among sows in organic herds, and sows showing oestrus during lactation were fatter at weaning.     

Evaluation of drop versus trickle-feeding systems for crated or group-penned gestating sows

A total of 160 gilts were used to evaluate the effects of pen vs. crated housing systems and drop- vs. trickle-fed feeding systems on sow productivity, occurrence of lesions during farrowing and weaning, immune measures, and behavioral responses during 2 consecutive gestation periods. Of the 160 eligible gilts, 117 farrowed in parity 1, and of those, 72 farrowed in parity 2. The gilts were randomly assigned to represent 1 of 4 factorially arranged treatment groups: pen drop-fed, crate drop-fed, pen trickle-fed, or crate trickle-fed. Replicate blocks were used for each parity with 5 sows per block initially in each treatment. At weaning, sows housed in pens had greater (P < 0.05) backfat thickness than sows housed in crates. The piglet weaning weight was greater (P < 0.05) for sows fed with the single drop compared with the trickle-feeding system. Lesions scores and all other productivity measures did not differ among treatments. An interaction was observed for percentage of neutrophil phagocytosis (P < 0.05) between penning and feeding systems. In pens, drop-fed sows had greater phagocytosis than trickle-fed sows, but in crates, drop-fed sows had a tendency for lower phagocytosis than trickle-fed sows. All other immune measures were not different among treatments. The occurrence of oral-nasal-facial (ONF) behaviors (chewing, rooting, and rubbing) and active behaviors increased, and lying behavior decreased (P < 0.05), from 0800 to 1200 for all sows. During the 0800 to 1200 period, crate drop-fed sows displayed more (P < 0.05) ONF and active behaviors than did sows in the 3 other treatments. Sows housed in groups of 5 had a greater (P < 0.05) duration of standing in the 0400 to 0800 period compared with crated sows. Housing systems had complex effects on sow behavioral sequences, but penned sows had more sequences associated with stress than did crated sows. Also, crate drop-fed gilts and sows expressed more ONF behaviors than gilts and sows in other treatments. Generally, productivity, skin lesions, and immune measures were not different, but behaviors at certain times of day and behavioral sequences were different for sows in pens and crates with drop or trickle-feeding systems. None of the environments evaluated were associated with significant physiological stress responses among the sows. Thus, sows were able to adapt within each environment through behavioral mechanisms without the need to invoke major physiological adjustments.     

The addition of ground wheat straw as a fiber source in the gestation diet of sows and the effect on sow and litter performance for three successive parities

A regional experiment was conducted at 8 experiment stations, with a total of 320 sows initially, to evaluate the efficacy of adding 13.35% ground wheat straw to a corn-soybean meal gestation diet for 3 successive gestation-lactation (reproductive) cycles compared with sows fed a control diet without straw. A total of 708 litters were farrowed over 3 reproductive cycles. The basal gestation diet intake averaged 1.95 kg daily for both treatments, plus 0.30 kg of straw daily for sows fed the diet containing ground wheat straw (total intake of 2.25 kg/d). During lactation, all sows on both gestation treatments were fed ad libitum the standard lactation diet used at each station. Response criteria were sow farrowing and rebreeding percentages, culling factors and culling rate, weaning-to-estrus interval, sow BW and backfat measurements at several time points, and litter size and total litter weight at birth and weaning. Averaged over 3 reproductive cycles, sows fed the diet containing wheat straw farrowed and weaned 0.51 more pigs per litter (P 相似文献   

Impact of rank position on fertility of sows

The investigations were carried out with 484 sows from two farms (farm A: housing the sows in small groups of 8 animals each, farm B with a large group of 100 sows) and a total number of 982 inseminations. The number of agonistic interactions was registered for each sow during 48 h after mixing soon after weaning the piglets at farm A. The individual rank place in the social hierarchy was calculated on the basis of wins and defeats and the sows were divided in high and low ranking sows. At farm B the rank position was estimated on the basis of the daily feeding order at two electronic feeding stations (first half of the sows in the feeding order = high ranking, second half = low ranking). Additionally, the following parameters were recorded for each sow: parity, genotype, farrowing rate and litter size (total and alive born piglets). The analysis showed that sows with a high rank position had a significantly higher farrowing rate (88.8%) compared to group-mates with low rank places (82.8%, p = 0.051) (farm A). Sows with a high rank position reached a significantly higher litter size of total born piglets (12.66, 16.14 piglets per litter respectively) than the low-ranking group-mates (12.13, 14.83 piglets/litter respectively — farms A and B). When mixing sows, the time and the conditions (e.g. group size, space allowance per sow) have to be considered to prevent the negative influence of low rank order on fertility.     

Rolling behaviour of sows in relation to piglet crushing on sloped versus level floor pens

The study focused on the rolling behaviour of sows and the crushing of piglets by sows' rolling behaviour. The experiment examined the influence of sloped floor in loose housed farrowing pens on the rolling behaviour of sows and crushing of piglets. The experimental unit was made up of 24 pens. There were two experimental pen designs with piglet creep in the corner of the pen and piglet creep across the end of the pen, respectively. Both of the experimental pen designs had a 10% sloped floor in the sow's resting area. The two control pen designs were identical to the experimental pen designs, but with a level floor. The behaviour of 85 sows and their litters was continuously video recorded. Behavioural observations were made from birth of the first piglet and until 3 days after birth of the first piglet. Rolling behaviour of sows caused significantly more trapped piglets under the sow than lying down from standing (P = 0.04). Rolling behaviour caused 64% of the trapped piglets and lying down from standing caused 36% of the trapped piglets. Rolling from udder to side without protection trapped significantly more piglets than rolling from udder to side near slanted wall or piglet protection rails and rolling from side to udder (P < 0.001). With a certain pen design sloped floor reduced rolling from udder to side without protection (P = 0.007) and reduced the number of trapped piglets (P = 0.01), but results concerning lying behaviour showed that sloped floor pushed sows to rest on the level part of the floor. The results indicate that rolling behaviour that crushes piglets can be reduced, and sows prefer to lie on a level floor.     

Effects of different gestation housing types on reproductive performance of sows

This study evaluated the effects of different gestation housing types on reproductive performance of sows. A total of 60 sows (218 ± 24 kg body weight) with mixed parity were used. During gestation, 28 sows were housed in groups with electronic sow feeders (space allowance = 1.26 m²/sow) and 32 sows were housed in individual stalls (space allowance = 1.20 m²/sow). Sows from both housing types were moved to farrowing crates on day 109 of gestation and stayed until weaning (18 days post‐farrowing). Typical corn‐soybean meal diets were provided to sows during gestation and lactation. Measurements were reproductive performance of sows at farrowing as well as performance of sows and their litter during lactation. Similar total numbers of piglets born at farrowing were observed for sows gestated in both housing types. However, group‐housed gestation sows had more mummies (0.321 vs. 0.064; P < 0.05) and stillbirths (0.893 vs. 0.469; P = 0.073) at farrowing than individual‐housed gestation sows. Consequently, individual‐housing type had higher percentage of piglets born alive (95.5 vs. 90.4%; P < 0.05) than the group‐housing type. Therefore, improved reproductive performance of sows from individual gestating housing was confirmed in this study.     

Factors affecting length of productive life in Swedish commercial sows

The objective of this study was to investigate factors that might influence the length of productive life in Swedish crossbred (Landrace x Yorkshire) sows. The data set consisted of 20,310 sows farrowing between 2001 and 2004 in 21 commercial piglet-producing herds. Productive life (PL) was defined as the number of days between first farrowing and removal or termination of data collection. In addition to the overall risk analysis of PL, another 4 longevity traits were analyzed (competing risk analyses): reproductive disorder-determined length of PL (RPL), udder problem-determined length of PL (UPL), lameness-determined length of PL (LPL), and mortality-determined length of PL (MPL). Analyses were performed by using survival analysis, applying a Weibull model with 6 time-dependent and 1 time-independent variable (age at first farrowing). The factor with the largest contribution to the likelihood function for PL was days after farrowing, followed by parity, the herd x year combination, the total number of piglets born, days between weaning and next farrowing, farrowing month, and age at first farrowing. For all 4 competing risk traits, the factors contributing most to the likelihood function were days after farrowing, the herd x year combination, and parity, with a varied order between traits. The hazard for removal was greatest 30 to 40 d after farrowing (after weaning) for PL, UPL, and LPL (P < 0.001). However, for MPL the hazard was greatest just after farrowing (0 to 10 d), and for RPL the hazard peaked at 70 to 100 d after farrowing. The hazard for removal was, compared with parity 1, less in parities 2 to 7 and greater from parity 8 for PL (P < 0.001). The hazard was greatest in parity 1 (P < 0.01) for RPL, UPL, and LPL, whereas for MPL the hazard increased with greater parity number and was markedly greater from parity 9 (P < 0.001). Sows with litters of 9 piglets or less had a greater hazard for removal than sows with litters of 12 to 13 piglets (P < 0.001). Intervals between 120 and 122 d from weaning to the next farrowing showed the lowest hazard for removal (P < 0.001). The influence of farrowing month displayed no clear pattern for PL. Sows of 14 mo or older at their first farrowing had a 20% greater hazard for removal than younger sows (P < 0.001). The hazard for removal was greater for smaller litters in all parities but was more accentuated in greater parities. Overall, days after farrowing was the main risk factor for sow removal. Removal hazard was greatest shortly after weaning, and this peak increased with greater parity number.     

Effects of salinomycin on sow weight change during lactation and on sow reproductive performance

Forty-five gravid cross-bred sows (mean parity 3.3 +/- .3) were randomly allotted to two dietary treatments: corn-soybean mean (CS) or CS plus 60 mg salinomycin per kilogram of diet (CSS). Sows were fed their respective diets through two successive parities with dietary treatment initiated at 100 d postcoitum and continued until weaning of the second successive litter. Therefore, sows fed CSS received salinomycin for 14 d before the first parturition and for approximately 153 d before the second parturition. Daily feed intake was restricted to 2 kg.hd-1.d-1 during gestation and to 3 kg.hd-1.d-1 from weaning to breeding. All sows. had ad libitum access to feed during lactation. Sows were weighed 7 d prior to parturition, at weaning and at breeding. Weaning-to-estrus interval and farrowing interval were recorded for all sows. Litters were weighed at birth and weaning. There were no differences (P greater than .05) between dietary treatments in sow weights before parturition, at weaning or at breeding for either first or second farrowing. The CSS-fed sows lost more weight from weaning to breeding after the first (P less than .03) and second (P less than .05) lactation periods than CS-fed sows. The CSS-fed sows tended to gain more (P = .06) weight during lactation than CS-fed sows. There were no differences (P greater than .05) between treatments in lactation feed intake, weaning-to-estrus interval, farrowing interval, litter size born or weaned, litter weights at birth or at weaning, or in sow culling rate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effect of β‐carotene on health status and performance of sows and their litters

A total of 48 sows were allocated to four groups (12 sows per group) at the 99th day of pregnancy and were treated throughout two consecutive breeding cycles, as follows: (a) control group: no treatment; (b) group BC1: 400 mg β‐carotene/sow/day via feed from 7 days prior to the expected farrowing, until the 30th day postservice; (c) group BC2: 400 mg β‐carotene/sow/day via feed from 7 days before weaning up to service, followed by 200 mg β‐carotene until the 30th day postservice; and (d) group BC inj: four intramuscular (i.m.) injections of 200 mg β‐carotene/sow (on the 100th day of pregnancy, on the day of farrowing, on the day of weaning and on the first day of oestrus). Serum β‐carotene equivalents, vitamin A and IgG concentrations were determined in sows at several times of the breeding cycle. Moreover, serum IgG concentrations were determined in piglets on the second day of lactation and at weaning. Data relating to sow reproductive parameters and litter parameters were also recorded. It was shown that concentrations of serum β‐carotene equivalents were elevated only in the BC inj group during lactation and at service, while serum vitamin A concentrations were also elevated in the BC inj group only at oestrus. There was no effect of β‐carotene on the oestrus intensity score, the weaning‐to‐oestrus interval, the number of returns to oestrus per sow and the farrowing‐to‐farrowing interval. The number of piglets born alive was greater in the BC inj group compared with the controls, while the litter size at weaning was greater in the groups BC1, BC2 and BC inj compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Supplementation of β‐carotene did not appear to influence the serum IgG concentration in sows and piglets.     

The effect of nesting material on the nest-building and maternal behavior of domestic sows and piglet production

Nest building is an important part of maternal behavior in domestic pigs. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of nesting material sawdust vs. straw on sow behavior 24 h before and after birth of the first piglet (BFP) and piglet production. Sows, housed in farrowing crates, were randomly divided into 2 treatments: sawdust (n = 12) and straw (n = 13). Sawdust and straw were provided during the pre- and parturient period; after parturition, straw was given to both experimental groups. The prepartum nesting period (the time interval between the first and last nest-building records, including all other activity and resting before BFP), the nesting records (number of nesting records), nesting duration (duration of all nesting records), the start and termination of nesting, and the frequency of prepartum postural changes were collected 24 h before BFP. After BFP, number of nesting records and time to first sucking of the litter were collected. Frequency of postural changes and duration of udder access were collected 24 h after BFP during 3 time periods (during parturition, from the end of parturition to 12 h after BFP, and 12 to 24 h after BFP) and the frequency of nursing during 2 time periods (from the end of parturition to 12 h after BFP, and 12 to 24 h after BFP). Piglet BW gain and mortality were estimated 24 h after BFP. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED and the probability of the piglet mortality using PROC GENMOD in SAS. Nesting material did not affect (P > 0.10) most of sow prepartum nesting behavior and had no effect (P > 0.10) on the prepartum frequency of postural changes. Sows from the sawdust treatment had a longer nesting period (P < 0.05), and nest building tended to start sooner (P < 0.10) than in the straw treatment. Nesting material had only a small effect on later maternal behavior. Sows from the straw treatment tended to have more nesting records after BFP (P < 0.10). The frequency of postural changes was affected by the interaction (P < 0.01) between treatments and time period: sow from the straw treatment had more postural changes during parturition compared with other time periods and sawdust treatment. No effect (P > 0.10) of the nesting material on piglet BW gain and mortality was found. The results suggest that sawdust compared with straw as nesting material provided to sows before and through parturition does not negatively affect maternal behavior during the 24 h before and after parturition or piglet production. Therefore, sawdust can be recommended as a suitable nesting material for farrowing sows when straw is not available.     

Influence of thermal environment on sows around farrowing and during the lactation period

Our objective was to investigate the effects of floor heating duration (HEAT: 35°c for 12 or 48 h) after birth of first piglet (BFP) under different room temperatures (ROOM: 15°C, 20°C, 25°C) on sows during farrowing and lactation. The study included 8 to 11 repetitions for each combination of ROOM and HEAT. There were no treatment effects on indicators of birth problems (duration of parturition, interbirth intervals, umbilical cord lactate concentration), BW changes of the sow, and litter size and weight until weaning. Sows at 15°C compared with 20°C and 25°C spent more time nest building (P = 0.015). The feed intake was reduced the first 7 d after farrowing in sows at 25°C (P = 0.014); however, both daily feed intake (P = 0.018) and water consumption (P < 0.001) of these warm sows exceeded that at lower temperatures during the last part of the lactation. Sows at 15°C received more medical treatments until weaning at heat = 48 h only (ROOM and HEAT interaction, P = 0.005). Room temperature influenced prefarrowing water consumption (25°C > 20°C and 15°C; P < 0.017), sow surface temperature (15°C < 20°C < 25°C; P < 0.001), respiration rate (25°C > 20°C > 15°C; P < 0.001), and rectal temperature during the first 12 h after bfp (15°C < 25°C; P = 0.009); additionally, long floor heating duration (HEAT = 48 h) increased the respiration rate by 50% d 1 and 2 after bfp (p < 0.001). The proportion of lying time on the unheated slatted floor increased with room temperature (P < 0.001) and, transiently, also for the heat = 48 h treatment 13 to 48 h after BFP (P < 0.001). The majority of piglets (82% to 95%) were born on the heated solid floor, regardless of room temperature (P = 0.46). Sows spent approximately twice as much time standing and walking at 15°C during 13 to 48 h after BFP at HEAT = 12 h only (ROOM and HEAT interaction; P = 0.002). In conclusion, long-term indicators of reduced sow performance were unaffected by room temperature, probably because the farrowing and lactating sows in the current pen design were able to perform thermoregulatory behavior and successfully adapt to room temperatures between 15°C and 25°C.     

Effects of a novel carbohydrate and protein source on sow performance during lactation

Ninety-one primiparous and multiparous sows and their pigs were used to evaluate the effects of a novel carbohydrate- and protein-based feed ingredient (Nutri-Pal, NP) on sow and litter performance during lactation. Nutri-Pal is a feed supplement for sows that consists of a blend of milk chocolate, brewer's yeast, whey products, and glucooligosaccharides. The dietary treatments consisted of a corn-soybean meal control and a corn-soybean meal plus 5% NP fed from d 110 of gestation to weaning. The diets were formulated to be equal in total Lys and ME. Sows were allotted to treatment based on parity, body weight, and the date of d 110 of gestation. There were 46 and 45 sows per treatment over four farrowing groups. Litters were standardized to 10 pigs and weighed within 1 d of farrowing, and all sows weaned at least 8 pigs at an average age of 21 d. Sows were weighed on d 110 of gestation, d 1 postfarrowing, and at weaning. Sows were fed three times daily during lactation. Sows were checked twice daily after weaning for signs of estrus. The weaning weight of sows fed NP was increased (P < 0.10) compared with those fed the control diet. Sows fed the control diet tended (P = 0.11) to lose more weight per day from d 110 of gestation to weaning than the sows fed NP. Otherwise, sow response variables (sow weight on d 110 of gestation and d 1 postfarrowing, d 110 of gestation to d 1 postfarrowing and lactation weight change per day, d 110 of gestation to d 1 postfarrowing, lactation, and total feed intake, days to estrus, pigs born alive or dead, and litter and average pig birth weight) were not affected (P > 0.10) by diet. There were no effects (P > 0.10) of diet on litter performance response variables (pigs weaned, litter and average pig weaning weight and gain, and survival percent). The NP feed ingredient had minor effects on sow productivity, but it did not affect litter productivity indices.     

Effects of late introduction of sows to two farrowing environments on the progress of farrowing and maternal behavior

To evaluate the effect of late introduction to farrowing pens on the progress of farrowing and maternal behavior, 20 primiparous and 20 multiparous sows were allocated randomly to 1 of 2 treatments: 1) early introduction to pen (EP, n = 20) and 2) late introduction to pen (LP, n = 20). To evaluate the difference between loose-housed sows and crated sows when introduced late to the farrowing environment, a third treatment was included: late introduction to farrowing crate (LC, n = 20). Sow behavior and piglet birth intervals were recorded using video recordings from 16 h before the birth of the first piglet (BFP) until 48 h after BFP. Behavioral data were analyzed using PROC MIXED in SAS and the percentage of stillborn piglets and the response of the sow to piglet scream were analyzed using PROC GENMOD in SAS. Before farrowing (16 to 3 h before BFP), sows introduced late to pens had more postural changes per hour than sows introduced early to pens (LP = 12.7, EP = 8.9; P = 0.04), whereas there were no differences between sows introduced late to crates and sows introduced late to pens (LC = 14.2, LP = 12.7; P = 0.53). Interbirth interval (P = 0.04), variation in the interbirth interval (P = 0.01), and percentage of stillborn piglets (P = 0.003) were affected by an interaction between parity and treatment. In multiparous sows there were no differences between treatments (P > 0.18) either in the progress of farrowing or in the percentage of stillborn piglets. For primiparous sows, there were no differences (P > 0.22) between sows that were introduced late to pens and sows that were introduced early to pens. Primiparous sows that were introduced late to crates compared with pens had longer interbirth intervals (LC = 29 +/- 4.9 min, LP = 16 +/- 2.9 min; P = 0.02), a greater variation of these intervals (LC = 35 +/- 8.3 min, LP = 16 +/- 3.6 min; P = 0.006), and a greater percentage of stillborn piglets (LC = 21%; 95% confidence interval ranging 14 to 30%, LP = 5%; 95% confidence interval ranging from 2 to 12%; P = 0.004). After farrowing, neither postural changes, time spent in lateral lying, number of near-crushing situations, nor the response to piglet scream test were affected by treatment (P > 0.09). When sows and gilts were introduced late to farrowing pens, neither progress of farrowing nor maternal behavior of importance for piglet crushing was influenced. However, crating primiparous sows that were introduced late to the farrowing environment compared with pen housing had detrimental effects on the progress of farrowing and the percentage of stillborn piglets.     

Post-farrowing stress management in sows by administration of azaperone: effects on piglets performance

This study examined the impact of a single dose of azaperone administered to sows at the end of farrowing on piglet weight gain and mortality during the lactation period. Two hundred fifty-two sows (JSR hybrid) housed in a conventional farrowing crate system were assigned to either a treatment or a control group. The parities of the sow were between 1 and 6. The differences between live birth weight and weight at weaning were recorded for 3,093 individual piglets. Serum concentrations of IgG of 485 piglets also were recorded during tail docking. Median and interquartile range (IQR) were 5.1 (2.9 to 9.5) mg·mL(-1) in the control group and 5.6 (3.1 to 12.1) mg·mL(-1) in the azaperone group (P > 0.05). Litter size was 13.0 (11 to 15) total born piglets and birth weight was 1.28 (1.05 to 1.52) kg. Weaning weight for the control group was 5.64 (4.73 to 6.54) kg compared with 5.78 (4.79 to 6.71) kg for the azaperone treated group (P = 0.005). Daily BW gain differed significantly (P = 0.001) between the 2 groups, 205 g for the controls, compared with 214 g for the azaperone group. There were no significant differences between piglet mortality rates (17% and 20%). Azaperone applications to sows tended to have a positive effect on productivity. Effect was greatest in the primiparous sows and declined with increasing parity. This may have been due to both physiological and behavioral differences between the sows as they experienced increasing numbers of gestations, farrowings, and lactation periods.     

Effect of feather meal as a source of valine for lactating sows

An experiment was conducted to evaluate feather meal as a source of Val in lactating sow diets. Sows (five farrowing groups; mean parity = 2.34) were allotted to one of two dietary treatments on the basis of ancestry, parity, and weight and date of d 110 of gestation. The treatment diets included 1) corn-soybean meal lactation diet (n = 40) or 2) corn-soybean meal lactation diet with 2.5% feather meal (n = 39). The diets were formulated on an equal Lys basis. All litters were adjusted to 10 pigs within 24 h after farrowing, and all sows weaned at least nine pigs. Sows were bled at 110 d of gestation and at weaning, and serum urea N was determined. Backfat thickness was determined ultrasonically at 110 d of gestation and at weaning. Serum urea N and backfat thickness at d 110 of gestation were used as covariates for serum urea N and backfat thickness at weaning, respectively. The litter response criteria (weaning weight, litter weight gain, and percentage survival) were not affected (P > .10) by feather meal. The sow response criteria (weaning weight, weight loss per day, weaning backfat thickness, change in backfat thickness, ADFI, and days to estrus) were not affected (P > .10) by feather meal. Sows fed feather meal had increased (P < .01) serum urea N and tended (P = .15) to have decreased sow weaning weight. Following the initial analysis of the data, the data set was split into two groups: 1) sows with litters gaining less than 2.17 kg/d (n = 19 and 20 for control and feather meal diets, respectively) and 2) sows with litters gaining more than 2.17 kg/d (n = 21 and 19 for control and feather meal diets, respectively). These two groups were analyzed separately. In sows with litters gaining less than 2.17 kg/d, the litter and sow criteria were not affected (P > .10) by treatment. In sows with litters gaining more than 2.17 kg/d, sow weaning weight was decreased (P < .04) and sow weight loss (P < .02) and serum urea N (P < .01) were increased in sows fed feather meal. Feather meal (as a source of Val) did not improve litter weight gain, but it increased serum urea N.     

The raising of pigs--modern and fair to the animals

A sow can cope better with a husbandry system if a new situation is in accordance with her expectations and if she has been prepared sufficiently for the social and technical problems, she will have to face. In relation with applied ethology this means, that a sow should be prepared adequately for a group-housing system of pregnant sows, by a previous establishment of the social hierarchy in her (sub)group; a previous training in operating the feeding station; providing a part of the house where she is safe for aggressive other sows; providing two simultaneous and undisturbed meals of roughage per day for all sows; providing appropriate possibilities for locomotory and for exploratory behaviour. For a farrowing house are the following provisions required: the lying places (farrowing nest) shall be clearly distinguishable for the sows; sufficient long straw for allowing satisfactory nest building shall be present in the nests; a sow shall be able to turn around in the farrowing nest; the sows shall be able to ly in a position with their heads close together; the feeding station shall be in the nearest proximity; the piglets shall be able to mix gradually after their first week of life.