Farrowing pens used with and without short-term fixation impact on reproductive traits of sows

Abstract

In the present study two farrowing pens with movable crates were tested as two different farrowing systems (with short-term fixation and without) regarding reproductive traits in two parts. The aim of Part 1 was to compare the reproductive traits of sows housed in the farrowing pens without fixation of the sows (FF, free-farrowing system; n = 121) and sows housed in farrowing crates with permanent fixation (FC, farrowing crate system; n = 127). Part 2 compares the reproductive traits of sows housed in the same farrowing pens as in Part 1 but used with a short-term fixation in which the sows were fixated in the movable crates from one day ante partum until four days post partum (SF, short-term fixation system; n = 47) and sows housed in farrowing crates with permanent fixation (FC; n = 79). The number of piglets born alive, stillborn piglets, weaned piglets and piglet losses were recorded. Additionally, the individual birth and weaning weights of all piglets were documented. The results of Part 1 (FF vs. FC) show that sows of the FF system had significantly higher total piglet losses and a higher number of crushed piglets compared to sows of the FC system (p < 0.05). Furthermore, 88% of all piglet losses were documented during the first four days post partum. The total piglet losses in Part 2 (SF vs. FC) did not differ between the SF system and the FC system. The results of the present study show that sows of the fee-farrowing system had higher piglet losses compared to sows in farrowing crate system with permanent fixation. However, a fixation of the sows for only one day ante partum until four days post partum showed no differences in the piglet losses compared to sows fixed permanently in crates. It can be concluded that a short-term fixation of sows in crates of four days is sufficient to minimise piglet losses.