Abstract
ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate swine females of different genetic lines submitted to different reproductive management and housing systems during pregnancy on reproductive performance and animal welfare parameters. After artificial insemination protocol, 524 females were divided into two gestation housing systems: PEN1=animals housed in individual stalls during the breeding and after group-housed; PEN32=animals housed in individual stalls from breeding until 32 days of pregnancy and after group-housed. The number of piglets born, and the pregnancy and farrowing rates were evaluated. Welfare parameters related to the pregnancy phase were used. Females who weaned more piglets in the previous farrowing had a higher number of piglets born at the next farrowing. The pregnancy rate was affected by the number of semen doses. The farrowing rate was not influenced by the evaluated parameters, with average value of 91.36%. There was no effect of the gestation housing system and the genetic lines on pregnancy and farrowing rates, with values above 90.0%. The animal welfare indicators showed more compromised parameters in PEN1 system. PEN1 system did not impair the reproductive performance although it presented more compromised animal welfare parameters.
Highlights
The European Union (EU) has been a pioneer in the development of many measures to improve animal welfare in the production system, and since 2013 it has become mandatory to abolish individual pen for sows and gilts after 28 days of pregnancy and obligated to use group-housed after this period (Knox et al, 2014; Dias et al, 2018).As in the EU, Canadian swine producers are in the constantly seeking to reconcile animal welfare and productivity as well as food security
In New Zealand, another country concerned with animal welfare relations and productivity, the recommendation is the removal of sows and gilts from pregnancy stall soon after breeding, with a maximum tolerance of 7 days after artificial insemination (AI) to transfer to a group-housed system (New Zealand, 2018)
In this study we evaluated the effects of transferring females to collective pens in different moments post AI on reproductive performance and animal welfare parameters
Summary
The European Union (EU) has been a pioneer in the development of many measures to improve animal welfare in the production system, and since 2013 it has become mandatory to abolish individual pen for sows and gilts after 28 days of pregnancy and obligated to use group-housed after this period (Knox et al, 2014; Dias et al, 2018).As in the EU, Canadian swine producers are in the constantly seeking to reconcile animal welfare and productivity as well as food security. The European Union (EU) has been a pioneer in the development of many measures to improve animal welfare in the production system, and since 2013 it has become mandatory to abolish individual pen for sows and gilts after 28 days of pregnancy and obligated to use group-housed after this period (Knox et al, 2014; Dias et al, 2018). In New Zealand, another country concerned with animal welfare relations and productivity, the recommendation is the removal of sows and gilts from pregnancy stall soon after breeding, with a maximum tolerance of 7 days after artificial insemination (AI) to transfer to a group-housed system (New Zealand, 2018). The use of pregnancy pen has always been aimed facilitating the management and to optimize the distribution of the animals as well as to increase available space on farms, reduce hierarchical disputes and standardize supply and consumption of feed. The little capacity of movement due to the restriction of space can predispose locomotor and genitourinary problems (Silva et al, 2008)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
