Alternative housing for sows and litters.: Part 4. Effects of sow-controlled housing combined with a communal piglet area on pre- and post-weaning behaviour and performance

Abstract

Previous experimental work has shown modest and variable production and welfare benefits for the lactating sow and piglets when sows are allowed to separate themselves temporarily from their piglets, or when piglets have access to a communal creep area sufficiently attractive that they spend substantial time away from the sow. This experiment tested the effect of both features together. Sows from experimental litters could enter a get-away area separated from the piglets where, after 12 days of lactation, they could mingle with two other sows. Litters had access to a creep area where they could mingle with piglets from two other litters after 14 days of age. Eleven experimental cohorts consisting of three sows and their litters were tested in this way. For the 12 control cohorts, also of three litters each, sows could not get-away from their piglets, and piglets could not mingle with other litters. Experimental sows spent over 14 h per day away from their piglets by the end (day 27) of lactation. Experimental sows also nursed their litters less often than controls, decreasing to almost 30% less by the end of lactation ( P<0.01), and consumed less food during lactation ( P<0.05). There was no significant effect of treatment on sow weight loss or weaning-to-oestrus interval. Piglets from experimental litters spent over 40% of their time in the pens of other litters by the end of lactation, and spent significantly ( P<0.05) more time than control piglets in the creep area. Experimental piglets ate more creep feed before weaning ( P<0.001), but tended to gain less weight ( P=0.05). After weaning, these piglets continued to eat more ( P<0.05) and gained more weight ( P<0.05), such that the average body weights were similar for experimental and control piglets on day 42 (11.8±0.26 kg versus 11.7±0.25 kg; N.S.). We observed some agonistic behaviour between experimental sows when they were first allowed to interact and between experimental piglets when mixed on day 14. However, these piglets fought less than controls when mixed at weaning with piglets from other litters within their cohort ( P<0.05). Thus, a get-away housing system that allows for mingling of both sows and litters can provide welfare advantages for the sow (time away from piglets, reduced demands for nursing, opportunities for socialisation) and piglets (reduced growth check and aggression at weaning) while allowing for high levels of production consistent with confinement systems.