REPRODUCTIVE FEATURES AND ELEMENTS OF THE BEHAVIOUR OF SOWS DURING OF DIFFERENT HOUSING AND SEASONS OF THE YEAR

Abstract

In pig farming, farrowing structures are used to reduce crushing ofpiglets. The movement of the sow in such structures is usually limited, which reduces the probability and frequency of dangerous changes in posture that lead to the death of piglets. Such structural elements of the farrowing limit the movement of the sow while standing, sitting, lying down and turning on its side. Limited mobility and behavioral manifestations of sows cause a decrease in the level of well-being. Machine-based farrowing systems are designed to address these welfare issues by providing more space, allowing sows to turn around and interact more with their piglets. In this regard, the aim of the conducted experiment was to study the influence of housing conditions and seasons of the year in the farrowing shop of sows on their reproductive parameters and elements of behavioural in the conditions of a commercial pig farm. Materials and methods. For the scientific and economic experiment, two groups of sows of the Large White breed were formed in the amount of 10 heads each. The sows of the first control group were housed in a room with a partially regulated microclimate in machines on a solid concrete floor, with the division of the machine into: a compartment for the sow and feeding and resting piglets with the use of variable straw bedding for the non-fixed maintenance of the sow, the size is 2.0Ч2.3 m. The sows of the second experimental group were housed in a room with a regulated microclimate in machines on a partially slotted floor above concrete baths without the use of litter, with a fixed retention of the sow in the machine during the entire suckling period, the size of the machine is 1.8Ч2.4 m. Results. As a result of the experiment, it was determined that that the introduction into production of a new type of farrowing machine made it possible to improve the survival of piglets by 21.9 %, to increase their average daily gain during the suckling period by 11.1 % and the weight of the litter of piglets before weaning by 17.9 %. Elements of the behavioural of suckling sows and suckling piglets depend on the season and structural features of the premises and machines for farrowing. In modern machines, sows rest more (by 6.8-19.0 %) and move less (by 27.5-32.4 %). While piglets show by 6.3 % more mobile activity in machines of the new design in winter and by 5.5 % less in summer. Conclusion. On the basis of the conducted experiment, it was established that the design of the farrowing system of sows significantly affects their behavioral elements and reproductive parameters, ensuring social interaction between sows and piglets, which is confirmed by the reliability of the obtained research results. Key words: machines, period of the year, productive traits, suckling piglets, suckling sows, farrowing system, welfare.