Thursday, March 05, 2009

Effect of gestation housing on behaviour and skin lesions of sows in farrowing crates

Group housing systems for pregnant sows are set to become more popular, but there is evidence that this development could influence the welfare of sows in farrowing crates. A study was designed to assess the effect of gestation accommodation on behaviour, welfare and farrowing performance of sows in farrowing crates. Multiparous sows were housed loose (L) in groups of four with feeding stalls (n=24) or individually in gestation stalls (S) (n=24) from one month postservice. On day 110 of pregnancy, sows were moved to farrowing crates where they remained until 28 days postpartum. Behaviour was recorded on the first day in the crate and on day 10 of lactation. Posture changing frequency was recorded for 2 h prior to and for the duration of farrowing. Skin lesions were scored from 0 to 6 at 34 locations on the body the day before and the day after entry to the crate, postfarrowing, during weeks 2 and 3 of lactation and at weaning. On the first day in the crate, S sows made sig!
nificantly more attempts to lay down per lay down event than L sows (P<0.05). They also spent more time standing inactively (P<0.01) and less time lying laterally (P<0.05). During parturition, L sows changed posture more often than S sows (P<0.05) and they showed a higher frequency of ventral and lateral lying as well as dog-sitting on day 10 of lactation (P<0.05). The forelimb lesion score of S sows was significantly higher than L sows the day after entry to the crate and postfarrowing (P<0.01). Loose housing during gestation resulted in improved manoeuvering ability and comfort of sows in the farrowing crate with beneficial implications for skin health. However, L sows were more restless during parturition and in early lactation suggesting that loose housing may have a negative influence on sow welfare in farrowing crates at these times.

Accession Number: 20023039282
Author: Boyle, L. A.; Leonard, F. C.; Lynch, P. B.; Brophy, P.
Source: Applied Animal Behaviour Science. Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, Netherlands: 2002. 76: 2, 119-134.

Sunday, March 01, 2009

Designs to Reduce Seasonal Effects On Reproduction

"Seasonal infertility” should be replaced with “summer infertility” or “fall infertility.” Summer infertility identifies that reproductive problems are occurring during the summer months. This covers a spectrum of problems. Fall infertility identifies that problems are occurring during the autumn months. The severity of summer and fall infertility varies from farm-to-farm, region-to-region and year-to-year. What matters most, is maximizing fertility and breeding herd reproductive performance regardless of season or location.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Cloned pigs help scientists towards a breakthrough in Alzheimer's