Behaviour Of Sows Research Articles

Composición y biomasa fitoplanctónica en zona riparia y lagunar-estuarina del Río San Pedro, Nayarit (2008-2009)

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the productive behavior of sows in a semi-technical farm. F1 York x Landrace sows were used as the maternal line and were inseminated with Pietrain semen as the paternal line. 13 contemporary litters were considered.Litter size was recorded at birth, weights at birth and at weaning, as well as weaned piglets and the information was recorded in the pigchamp © program. Considering the information of all the sows in this study, the size of the litter at birth and the weight at birth can be considered relatively good compared to those obtained in other studies. The results in the correlations according to the number of sows birth, indicated the existence of a high and positive correlation with all the study variables, similar to that obtained by Murillo et al. (2007), which highlights the use of these variables as indicators of the maternal productivity of sows, which increases in each birth.

Sow behavior and productivity in a small stable group-housing system

Objectives: To quantify behavior and productivity of females grouped in small static groups when fed using a single-entry/exit electronic sow feeder (ESF) over two consecutive gestation periods. Materials and methods: Fifty-eight gilts with no previous experience in group gestation housing were enrolled into 3, static, successive cohorts (Cohort 1, n = 20; Cohort 2, n = 18; and Cohort 3, n = 20) at day 35 of gestation. Pigs were housed individually throughout the farrowing period, and pigs that were healthy were moved back into their respective groups for their second gestation (Cohort 1, n = 19; Cohort 2, n = 13; Cohort 3, n = 17). Pig behavior, social rank, and post-gestation productivity was quantified for each gestation period. Results: Agonistic behaviors decreased between the first and second gestation (P < .001). High-ranked sows initiated more agonistic bouts around the ESF when compared to intermediate- and low-ranked sows (P < .001). Duration of active (P = .78) and inactive (P = .76) behaviors did not differ between gestation periods, but more active behaviors were observed near the ESF when compared to other areas of the pen (P < .001). High-ranked sows visited the feeder more frequently when compared to intermediate- and low-ranked sows (P < .001). No differences in subsequent litter or female productivity measures were found based on sow ranking. Implications: Housing gestating females in small static groups with an ESF decreased aggression between the first and second parity without detrimentally affecting general pig behavior or productivity.

Freedom to lie: How farrowing environment affects sow lying behaviour assessment using inertial sensors

We address the use of accelerometery to automatically monitor lying behaviour in free-farrowing sows; due to their freedom of movement and the consequent increased variety of movements the sows are able to exhibit, the challenges in automating this are greater than in sows housed in movement restricting farrowing environments. The methodology developed was applied to two salient applications: that of farrowing prediction through detection of nest building activity, and comparison of maternal lying behaviour in conventional movement-restricting and free-farrowing systems. Two sensors were attached at both the front and hind end to each of eight periparturient sows. Movement behaviour was recorded for a period of five days around parturition. Activity transitions were classified by a Support Vector Machine classifier, using data from both sensors individually, and combined; classifier output was validated against ground truth annotations collected from video data. We draw conclusions about the benefits of using multiple sensors over a single sensor, as well as the suitability of different sensor locations on the sow. Activity classification was found to improve through the use of multiple sensors, with a mean F1 score (a measure of predictive performance between 0 and 1) of 0.84, compared to use of the front sensor alone (mean F1 = 0.49) and the hind sensor alone (mean F1 = 0.57). Activity transitions were classified using the dual sensor setup with a mean F1 score of 0.77. Using a threshold-based approach, taking transition frequency as an indicator of nesting behaviour, we were able to detect the onset of nest building with an average latency to farrowing of 11.1 (±4.65) hours, and an average of 1 premature detection per sow; however, the majority of these premature were in a particular sow. We draw comparisons between the lying behaviour of free-farrowing and restricted sows. Using a mixed-design ANOVA we found a main effect of farrowing environment on transition duration (p=0.003), peak acceleration (p=0.007) and rate of change in pitch (p=0.009). Improving the classification accuracy of sow activity transitions through the addition of multiple sensors allows for improved performance in applications such as farrowing prediction, which has the capacity to reduce piglet mortality through enabling farrowing supervision. Understanding how movement restriction affects the lying behaviour of farrowing sows has the potential to inform decisions regarding restriction of sows and development of free-farrowing environments.

Rethinking share-of-wallet at the bottom of the pyramid: using financial diaries to observe monthly category trade-offs

PurposeThis study provides empirical evidence for the impact that income and expenditure fluctuations have on understanding the fundamentals of BoP household share-of-wallet in South Africa.Design/methodology/approachThe study used a longitudinal financial diary methodology to record household income in 80 households (in four different geographic areas) over four monthly waves.FindingsThe study showed the lack of reliability of aggregated population income and expenditure surveys when understanding the specific behaviour of BoP households. The study concludes that major category trade-offs occur on a monthly basis, and that these trade-offs directly impact our fundamental understanding BoP SoW.Originality/valueWhile the BoP consumer theory is developing (especially in the last decade), most of the theory is focused on development and business strategy. Empirically based consumer theory is noticeably lacking, given that the BoP is the largest population segment on earth. In addition, research is largely absent of highly rigourous and in-depth quantification of consumer SoW behaviour. This study contributes to the BoP theory by examining monthly fluctuations in income and expenditure, a line of analysis not done before to this extent. In doing so, the study proposes a new metric for the measurement of category expenditure as an index of the total spend.

Temporary crate opening procedure affects immediate post-opening piglet mortality and sow behaviour

Producers are interested in utilising farrowing systems with reduced confinement to improve sow welfare. However, concerns of increased mortality may limit commercial uptake. Temporary confinement systems utilise a standard crate which is opened 3 to 7 dayspostpartum, providing protection for neonatal piglets at their most vulnerable age and later increased freedom of movement for sows. However, there is anecdotal evidence that piglet mortality increases immediately after the temporary crate is opened. The current study aims were to determine if piglet mortality increases post-opening, to trial different opening techniques to reduce post-opening piglet mortality and to identify how the different opening techniques influence sow behaviour. Three opening treatments were implemented across 416 sows: two involved opening crates individually within each farrowing house when each litter reached 7 days of age, in either the morning or afternoon (AM or PM), with a control of the standard method used on the farm to open all crates in each farrowing house simultaneously once the average litter age reached 7 days (ALL). Behavioural observations were performed on five sows from each treatment during the 6 h after crate opening, and during the same 6 h period on the previous and subsequent days. Across all treatments, piglet mortality was significantly higher in the post-opening than pre-opening period (P<0.0005). Between opening treatments, there were significant differences in piglet mortality during the 2 days after crate opening (P<0.05), whilst piglet mortality also tended to differ from crate opening until weaning (P=0.052), being highest in ALL and lowest in PM. Only sows in the PM treatment showed no increase in standing behaviour but did show an increased number of potentially dangerous posture changes after crate opening (P=0.01), which may be partly attributed to the temporal difference in observation periods. Sow behaviour only differed between AM and ALL on the day before crate opening, suggesting the AM treatment disrupted behaviour pre-opening. Sows in AM and PM treatments showed more sitting behaviour than ALL, and therefore may have been more alert. In conclusion, increases in piglet mortality after crate opening can be reduced by opening crates individually, more so in the afternoon. Sow habituation to disturbance before crate opening may have reduced post-opening piglet mortality, perhaps by reducing the difference in pre- and post-opening sow behaviour patterns.

Factors affecting piglet mortality during the first 24 h after the onset of parturition in large litters: effects of farrowing housing on behaviour of postpartum sows

The present study aimed to identify the factors that affect immediate (within 24 h after farrowing onset) postnatal piglet mortality in litters with hyperprolific sows, and investigate their associations with behaviour of postpartum sows in two different farrowing housing systems. A total of 30 sows were housed in: (1) CRATE (n=15): the farrowing crate closed (0.80×2.20 m) within a pen (2.50×1.70 m), and (2) OPEN (n=15): the farrowing crate open (0.80×2.20×1.80 m) within a pen (2.50×2.40 m) with a provision of 20 ls of hay in a rack. A total of 518 live born piglets, produced from the 30 sows, were used for data analyses during the first 24 h after the onset of parturition (T24). Behavioural observations of the sows were assessed via video analyses during T24. Total and crushed piglet mortality rates were higher in OPEN compared with CRATE (P<0.01, for both). During T24, the OPEN sows tended to show higher frequency of postural changes (P=0.07) and duration of standing (P=0.10), and showed higher frequencies of bar-biting (P<0.05) and piglet trapping (P<0.01), when compared with the CRATE sows. During T24, the mortality rates caused by crushing were correlated with the piglet trapping event (r=0.93, P<0.0001), postural changes (r=0.37, P<0.01), duration of standing (r=0.32, P<0.01) and frequency of bar-biting behaviour (r=0.51, P<0.01) of the sows (n=30). In conclusion, immediate postnatal piglet mortality, mainly due to crushing, may be associated with potential increases in frequency of postural changes, duration of standing and incidence of piglet trapping in postpartum sows in the open crate system with large litters.

Comparison of three different farrowing systems: skin lesions and behaviour of sows with special regard to nursing behaviour in a group housing system for lactating sows

While group housing (GH) is mandatory in the European Union for the greater part of pregnancy, single housing in farrowing crates (FCs) during lactation that restrict sows in most of their natural behaviour patterns is still practised on a large scale. Research is urgently needed to develop alternative farrowing systems that improve sows’ welfare. Therefore, sows in three different farrowing systems – pens with FC, loose housing (LH) pens and GH for six sows – were compared regarding the level of skin injuries and their active and resting behaviour. A skin injury score was assessed for 15 body parts of 102 sows in six batches on 3 days (days 1, 14 and 34). In total, the active and resting behaviour of 77 sows in six batches was examined on 3 days (days 18, 25 and 32) between 0700 h and 1900 h by means of a scan sampling method. The suckling behaviour and the level of cross-suckling were analysed in GH by means of direct observation in four batches during three 4-h sampling periods (days 17, 24 and 31). No significant differences were found in total skin injuries when the sows entered the systems (day 1), but GH sows showed significantly higher total skin injuries compared to FC and LH sows in the middle (day 14) and at the end (day 34) of the lactation period. A significant difference between FC and LH sows was never seen. Differences were found for the proportion of different body postures between the three systems. The odds for lying in lateral recumbency versus standing and sitting versus standing were significantly higher for FC and LH sows compared to GH sows. Additionally, sows were significantly more likely to be standing as opposed to lying in lateral recumbency as the lactation period progressed. Cross-suckling was a frequent behaviour in GH, seen in 35.0% of all successful suckling bouts. However, only an average of 0.56 piglets per successful suckling bout was observed cross-suckling, suggesting only a few piglets were engaged in cross-suckling. In conclusion, the skin injury score was only moderately increased in GH compared to FC and LH and comparable to pregnant group-housed sows, both free farrowing systems seemed to be an environmental enrichment for lactating sows and good management cannot prevent the occurrence of cross-suckling in a GH system, but can probably reduce it.

Changes of behavior and stress index in pregnant Middle Yorkshire sows transferred from individual feeding pens to farrowing pens.

Changes of behavior and stress index in pregnant Middle Yorkshire sows transferred from individual feeding pens to farrowing pens.

Effect of crate opening from day 3 postpartum to weaning on nursing and suckling behaviour in domestic pigs

Temporary crating may be a more acceptable housing system for lactating sows than permanent crating and loose-housing because it combines benefits of both systems while reducing some of their limitations. It remains unclear whether nursing and sucking behaviour is influenced after crate opening. The aim of this study was to assess the short- (24 h post-crate opening) and long-term (day 25 postpartum (pp.)) effects of opening the farrowing crate from day 3 pp. to weaning on nursing and suckling behaviour. Sows were crated from 5 days prepartum either to weaning (permanently crated group; n = 14) or 3 days pp. (temporarily crated group; n = 13). Sows and their litters were observed on days 4 and 25. Duration of pre- and post-massages, nursing termination, number of piglets missing milk ejection and number of piglets fighting during pre- and post-massages were scored at 15-s intervals. Nursing success (i.e. with or without milk ejection) was also recorded. Data were analysed using PROC GLM and PROC GENMOD of SAS including housing, litter size and parity as fixed effects. Nursing behaviour did not differ between sows housed in temporary crates and those housed in permanent crates on days 4 and 25 pp., that is, same number of nutritive nursings (NNs), same proportion of non-NNs, same duration of post-massages and same proportion of termination of post-massages. There was only a housing effect on day 25; with sows having longer pre-massages in permanent crates (P < 0.05). Suckling behaviour was overall similar between treatments. There were no differences in the number of piglets attending pre- and post-massages, proportion of piglets fighting during pre-and post-massages and the proportion of piglets missing milk ejection on both days. The only housing effect was found on day 25 during which fewer piglets attended post-massages (P < 0.05) in permanent crates. Sows with larger litters terminated post-massages more often (P < 0.05), allowed shorter post-massages (P < 0.05) on day 4, and had more piglets miss milk ejection on days 4 and 25 (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the results of this study showed that housing had a very limited effect on nursing and suckling behaviour. Sow and piglet behaviours were not altered after crate opening (short-term effect) and nursing was to some extent calmer (shorter pre-massages and more piglets attended post-massages) in temporary crates on day 25. Increased litter size impaired nursing and suckling behaviour of sows and piglets independently of the housing system.

Sow Behavior Expression: Adoptions Effect

Sow Behavior Expression: Adoptions Effect

Provision Point-Source Materials Stimulates Play in Sows but Does Not Affect Aggression at Regrouping.

Simple SummaryIn most intensive pig production systems, pigs are often mixed into new groups. Sows are important to a production system, as they are the driver behind the farms’ productivity. The aggression that results from sows being mixed into new groups and formation of hierarchy can detrimentally affect production and welfare. This study aimed to determine the effect of providing access to materials on aggressive and play behaviors in gestating sows. Play behaviors were observed in the ‘enhanced’ pen and no play was observed in standard housing (without materials present). Aggression measures, salivary free cortisol concentrations, and injury counts were unaffected by treatment. The provision of point-source materials to sows at mixing had no impact on aggression; however, their presence maintained sow interest over the course of the experiment. Additionally, play behavior was observed in their presence, which may suggest that a more positive affect was induced when the materials were provided.When sows are mixed into groups, hierarchies form and resulting aggression and stress can affect production and welfare. This study determined the effect of providing point-source materials on aggressive and play behaviors in gestating sows. Large white cross Landrace sows were mixed after insemination; six pens of 12 sows were housed in ‘standard’ pens, and six pens of 12 sows were housed in ‘enhanced’ pens. The ‘enhanced’ pens each contained two rubber mats, eight strands of 24 mm-thick sisal rope and two yellow plastic disks, suspended from the roof. The sows remained in these pens until pregnancy confirmation. Salivary cortisol concentration, injury counts, and sow behaviors were recorded the day before mixing (day 1), mixing (day 0) and post-mixing day 1, day 4, day 7 and day 20. At farrowing, reproductive outcomes were obtained. Play was observed (including locomotor and object play) in the ‘enhanced’ pen, and percentage of time spent playing was greater on d4 (1.48 ± 0.3 Square root transformed data (2.84% non-transformed adjusted mean)), d7 (1.43 ± 0.3 (2.97%)) and d20 (1.64 ± 0.3 (3.84%)), compared to d0 (0.56 ± 0.3 (0.70%)) and d1 (0.87 ± 0.3 (1.67%) (p < 0.05)). No play was observed in standard housing. Aggression, salivary free cortisol concentrations and injuries were unaffected (p > 0.05). The provision of materials had no impact on aggression, although their presence maintained sow interest and play behavior, suggesting a positive effect.

PSIX-20 Sow behavior, heart rate, and cortisol responses to a novel piglet crushing prevention technology to reduce pre-weaning mortality.

PSIX-20 Sow behavior, heart rate, and cortisol responses to a novel piglet crushing prevention technology to reduce pre-weaning mortality.

Suckling behaviour and health parameters of sows and piglets in free-farrowing pens

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of free-farrowing pens and farrowing crates on the health parameters and the suckling behaviour of sows and their piglets, which were housed in farrowing crates (FC; n = 127) and in free-farrowing pens (FP; n = 121). All sows were evaluated regarding their body condition, locomotion, skin lesions of the udder and developmental stages of shoulder ulcers one week ante partum and four weeks post-partum. The piglets were scored concerning skin lesions of the face and of the carpus in week one of lactation and in week four of lactation. The FC sows had a higher incidence of locomotion problems and skin lesions of the udder four weeks post-partum (p < 0.05). In addition, piglets of the FC sows showed more skin lesions of the face and had more skin lesions of the carpus in week one of lactation and in week four of lactation, respectively (p < 0.05). For all piglets of both housing systems skin lesions of the face decreased during lactation, whereas skin lesions of the carpus increased (p < 0.05). With regard to the suckling behaviour, video observations of twenty-four sows (FP: n = 12; FC: n = 12) and their litters on lactation day four were analysed concerning the suckling duration, suckling frequency and suckling termination. For each housing system, six sows with litters with a low level of facial lesions and six sows with litters with a high level of facial lesions were chosen to investigate the influence of the suckling behaviour on the facial lesions of the piglets. The suckling duration per suckling bout was longer in the FP systems than in the FC systems (FP: 6.81 min vs. FC: 5.95 min; p < 0.05). Moreover, sows with litters with a low level of facial lesions terminated suckling less frequently (p < 0.05). In conclusion, keeping sows in free-farrowing pens can have a positive effect on the sows’ health by reducing the incidence of locomotion problems and skin lesions of the udder, as well as skin lesions of the face and skin lesions of the carpus of the piglets. Furthermore, the results show that the housing system has an influence on suckling duration and the incidence of skin lesions of the face of the piglets has an influence on sows’ terminations of suckling.

Effects of maternal artificial vocalization on hyperprolific lactating sows and piglets behavior.

The objective of this trial was to evaluate the behavioral patterns and performance of lactating sows and their litters under the effect of artificial vocalization. Twenty-eight sows and their litters were distributed in a completely randomized design in a 2x2 factorial scheme (artificial vocalization x lactation week). The behavior of the animals was monitored during 24 hours on the 7th and 15th days of lactation, analyzing the number, interval, and frequency of nursings. The body condition and performance of the sows were also evaluated. Artificial vocalization promoted higher frequencies of eating for sow and nursing for piglets (P <0.05), increased inactive sow behavior (P <0.05), and reduced sow alert in activity (P <0.05). The number and duration of suckling sessions at the 15thday of lactation were reduced (P <0.05). The use of artificial vocalization did not affect the body condition or milk production of the lactating sows, or the performance of the litter during lactation (P> 0.05). The use of maternal artificial vocalization during lactation of sows promoted greater lactation efficiency and longer rest time, favoring the sows' welfare.

Design and test of a low-power acceleration sensor with Bluetooth Low Energy on ear tags for sow behaviour monitoring

Short battery life limits the applicability of wearable sensors in animal behaviour monitoring. This research developed an ear-attached acceleration sensor of low power consumption for sow welfare studies. The sensor weighed only 10.0 g and was composed of a 3-axis accelerometer, a Bluetooth Low Energy module, a printed circuit board antenna, and a 3-V, 230-mAh CR2032 battery. It entered into a sleeping state when no activities of the monitored sow were detected, to conserve battery energy. In the sleeping state, the sensor still read data from the accelerometer at 1 Hz, but did not transfer data wirelessly to a receiver if a first-order difference that differentiated sow resting from its other activities was below a defined threshold. Laboratory and 8-sow field tests were conducted to assess the sensor performance in three operational modes (continuous, data grouping, and power saving). Results showed that there were three major behaviours of the sows (resting, moving, and eating) and the behaviour patterns differed from sow to sow. The ear-attached sensors could in principle be used to monitor and predict sow farrowing while not causing sow abnormal behaviours. In the continuous mode, data broadcasting consumed 97.6% energy and the battery life was only about 31 days. The average battery life could be extended to about 288 days in power saving mode when the first-order difference threshold was set at 0.1 g. Compared with reported similar acceleration sensors, this new sensor provided more than double the battery life while reducing the sensor mass by more than 70%.

Effect of Artificial Piglet Suckling Sounds on Behavior and Performance of Piglets and Adrenal Responses of Sows.

Operation of the farrowing house is essential to the productivity of a swine farm, requiring not only good management but also knowledge of the behavior of sows and piglets. Stress can negatively affect production in farm animals and could be a factor in production indexes. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of artificial sucking sounds on the behavior of piglets and fecal glucocorticoid (FGM) concentrations of sows. A total of 30 sows were divided into two groups: a treatment group (15 sows) was exposed to artificial sucking sounds and a control group (15 sows) was not. Both groups received the same management; the two open-house system locations were separated by a distance of about 270 meters. The study had three key objectives: to compare farrowing indexes and to observe the sucking behavior of piglets using CCTV cameras. Fecal samples were collected daily for 21 days from the period after parturition to weaning to assess adrenal activity. The treatment group had a significantly higher average number of times piglets came to a sow's udder, and sows had a shorter onset time for the first piglet to come to the sow's udder than the control group (both P<0.05). The patterns and levels of FGM between the two groups were not different (both P<0.05), but the treatment group had better farrowing indexes than the control group (P>0.05), particularly for litter weight gain and percent preweaning mortality. In addition, the weaning to first service interval of the treatment group was shorter than the control group (P<0.05). This indicates that the artificial suckling sound probably has no adverse effect on adrenal responses of pig; however, it improves production indexes of postparturition sows.

Effects of repeated social mixing on behavior and blood immune cells of group-housed pregnant sows (Sus scrofa domestica)

Commercial housing of sows often involves frequent regrouping (“mixing”) of animals that poses a potential welfare problem due to social stress. Although mixing is a common management practice worldwide, immunological consequences are poorly investigated in pregnant sows. This study combines both behavioral and endocrine data with detailed analyses of blood cellular immunity to examine whether repeated social mixing affects the immune system in pregnant sows, which none of the studies conducted so far could confirm. Pregnant multiparous sows (German Landrace, n = 40) were housed in groups of five animals. Sows were either assigned to a repeated social mixing treatment with a mutual exchange of two randomly selected sows of two specific groups (2 × 2) twice a week over a period of eight weeks, or remained undisturbed in their original group. Blood samples of all sows were collected at five time points before, during, and after the mixing period to evaluate the distribution of blood lymphocyte subpopulations, mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation and plasma cortisol concentrations. Mixing caused higher levels of aggressive behavior (p ≤ 0.05) during the entire mixing period. Compared to pre mixing baseline values, lymphocyte numbers were lower in mixed sows (p ≤ 0.05), which was primarily caused by lower antigen-experienced T helper cells, cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells. Mixed sows showed a higher proliferative response of lymphocytes while granulocytes and cortisol concentrations were not affected (p > 0.05). Repeated social mixing thus not only resulted in an increase of aggressive behavior, but also in altered immune cell numbers of the adaptive immune system, even though sows became eventually familiar with each other. These findings suggest, in contrast to previous studies, an adverse influence of frequent mixing on the immune system of pregnant sows.

Effect of Floor Cooling on Behavior and Heart Rate of Late Lactation Sows Under Acute Heat Stress.

Much U.S. swine production is in Köppen climate types classified as “hot-summer humid continental” and “humid subtropical.” As a result, farrowing sows are often exposed to temperatures above their upper critical temperature. This heat stress (HS) can affect sow welfare and productivity and have a negative economic impact. The study objective was to evaluate the impact of a cooling pad on sows' behavioral and heart rate responses to acute HS. Treatments were randomly allotted to ten multiparous sows to receive a constant cool water flow of 0.00 (CONTROL, n = 4), 0.25 (LOW, n = 2), 0.55 (MEDIUM, n = 2), or 0.85 (HIGH, n = 2) L/min for 100 min and replicated eight times, switching treatments so that each sow was exposed to each treatment. The cooling was initiated 1 h after the room reached 35°C for 100 min. Eating, drinking and nursing behaviors, postures, and heart rate were recorded before heating (Period 1), prior to cooling (Period 2), and during cooling (Period 3). There were no differences between LOW, MEDIUM, and HIGH flow rates for any periods on all behavioral and heart rate traits, so data were pooled (COOLED). There were no differences in any of the measures during Periods 1 and 2, except for the ratio of short term to long term heart rate variability (SD1:SD2) with higher values for CONTROL than COOLED sows in Period 2. During Period 3, CONTROL sows changed postures more frequently (11.5 ±1.6 vs. 5.1 ±1.6 changes per hour), spent more time drinker-pressing/drinking (4.4 ± 0.5 vs. 1.4 ± 0.4% of time), standing (6.6 ± 1.7 vs. 3.8 ± 1.6% of time), sitting (10.0 ± 1.2 vs. 4.0 ± 1.1), less time lying (83.0 ±1.8 vs. 92.0 ±1.7% of time), especially lying laterally (62.0 ± 5.6 vs. 75.0 ± 5.3% of time), than sows in all three cooling treatments (all P < 0.001). Heart rate during Period 3 was lower for COOLED sows compared to the CONTROL sows (100.2 ± 3.4 vs. 119.0 ± 4.0 beat per min, P < 0.001). Sows response to increased thermal load can be effectively reduced using water-cooled cooling pads, thereby improving sow comfort and welfare. The beneficial effects on behavior are noticeable from the lowest flow rate.

Sow free farrowing behaviour: Experiential, seasonal and individual variation

Although sow confinement at farrowing is inherently stressful, farrowing crates remain in widespread commercial use. Sows adapt to their environment, however adaptation may be counter-productive if the farrowing system changes. The current study observed the behaviour of second parity sows throughout farrowing in a straw pen system to determine if their previous farrowing experience, in either the same pen system (n = 11) or a temporary confinement crate system (n = 11), affected current nest-building, farrowing and nursing behaviour. Data were analysed using PROC MIXED, with sow ID as the repeated subject. Sows which previously farrowed in pens tended to have a higher pre-partum peak nesting intensity (P = 0.081), and throughout parturition exhibited increased lateral lying (P < 0.01), decreased ventral lying (P < 0.001), decreased sitting (P < 0.01) and a decreased frequency of dangerous posture changes (P < 0.05). Post-partum, sows that previously farrowed in pens had a lower percentage of sow-terminated nursing (P < 0.01), a longer average duration of successful nursing bouts (P < 0.05) and a lower frequency of sow-terminated nursing bouts (P < 0.001). Seasonal effects were also seen in this naturally-ventilated system, both pre- and post-partum, with autumn/winter farrowings associated with more pre-partum nesting (P < 0.01), a higher pre-partum peak nesting intensity (P < 0.05), a longer average duration of successful nursing (P < 0.05) and a higher percentage of nursing bouts ending with piglets asleep at the udder (P < 0.05) than in the spring/summer. Individual variation in pre-partum nesting behaviour was associated with differences in parturient and post-partum behaviours. The results show that the prior experience of confinement, or a change of farrowing system, significantly affects sow farrowing behaviour in free farrowing pens, which may compromise the welfare of both sows and piglets.

Sow stress levels and behavior and piglet performances in farrowing crates and farrowing pens with temporary crating.

Farrowing pens with temporary crating have been developed as a compromise between conventional farrowing crates and pens to better accommodate the welfare of both sow and piglets during lactation. However, not much is known about the behavioral and physiological consequences of early removal of confinement on the sow and piglets during lactation. The aim of this study was to assess the effects on sow and piglet performance of temporary crating until 3-d postpartum at 2 times points, immediately after confinement removal and 25 d into lactation. Sows were crated from 5-d prepartum either to weaning (permanently crated-PC group; N =14) or to D3 (83.0 ± 1.3 h) postpartum (Temporarily crated - TC group N = 13). Sow postural changes, activity, cortisol and IgA concentrations, and piglet body weight gain and behavior were assessed on D4 and on D25 postpartum, whereas piglet mortality was assessed throughout lactation. Data were analyzed using PROC GLM and PROC GENMOD of SAS. On D4 postfarrowing, TC sows were more active (10.9% vs. 7.1%; SEM: 0.8; P = 0.002), rolled more frequently (21.3% vs. 14.4%; SEM: 1.6; P = 0.008), and had lower IgA concentrations (139.7 vs. 75.2 µg/mL; SEM: 20.3; P = 0.040) than PC sows. No effects of housing were found (P > 0.05) on standing-to-lying movement or cortisol concentrations. No differences for any variables were found (P > 0.05) on D25. Mortality, body weights, and activity levels at the udder or in the pen of pigs born to PC sows did not differ (P > 0.05) from those of piglets born to TC sows on D4 nor on D25. This study indicates that removal of confinement on the 4th-d postpartum may have had small short-term positive effects on sow behavior and stress levels (as measured by IgA), and that it did not impair piglets' behavior and performance during lactation. Therefore, this work suggests that temporary crating limited to the first 3-d postpartum might be a feasible alternative to improve welfare under intensive production conditions.