Pen Cleanliness Research Articles

The Effects of Space Allowance and Toy Provision on the Growth, Spatiotemporal Distribution of Behavior, and Pen Cleanliness of Finishing Pigs

Excretion and lying are key behavioral factors that cause pen fouling, thereby affecting pig welfare, pathogen fecal–oral transmission, and air quality in pig housing. This study investigated the effect of space allowance and toy provision on the spatiotemporal distribution of pigs’ excreting and lying behavior, as well as the score of floor cleanliness in finishing pig pens. A total of 144 Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc hybrid fattening pigs were randomly assigned to 12 part-slatted pens at stocking densities of 0.75, 1.05, and 1.35 m2/pig with 12 pigs per pen, and 2 pens at each density level were provided with hanging chains and rubber stars as toys. The results showed that for the average daily gain (ADG) of the pigs, the main effect of space allowance was significant (p < 0.05). The ADG at the stocking density level of 1.35 m2/pig was significantly higher than 0.75 and 1.05 m2/pig (p < 0.05). The ADG of the pigs at a density of 0.75 m2/pig in the toys group was significantly higher than the no toys group (p < 0.05). When occupied space was limited, the provision of toys was beneficial to the growth performance of the pigs. Space allowance and toy provision did not affect the time-varying regularity of the pigs but had a certain impact on the areas where the two behaviors occurred. At a density of 1.35 m2/pig, the excreting rate in the corner areas of the slatted floor and the lying rate in the middle area of the solid floor were significantly higher than at a density of 0.75 and 1.05 m2/pig (p < 0.05). Under the conditions of this study, when the stocking density was 1.35 m2/pig and toys were provided, the average daily gain of the pigs was the highest, and the pigs excreted more in the defined excretion area, lay more in the lying area, and the cleanliness of the lying area was also higher. In the case of space constraints, the provision of toys can offset some of the adverse effects of space constraints on pig growth and pen cleanliness.

The Effects of Pen Size and Design, Bedding, Rooting Material and Ambient Factors on Pen and Pig Cleanliness and Air Quality in Fattening Pig Houses.

Simple SummaryInappropriate eliminating on a resting area has a negative effect on the environment, the cleanliness of pigs and pens, and can impair farm productivity. There are several factors that can affect pig eliminative behaviour. The primary aim of this survey was to investigate which factors related to the physical environment have the strongest effects on pig and pen cleanliness and ammonia concentration. Secondly, we wanted to assess the relationship between ambient temperature, air velocity and cleanliness of the pen and the pigs and ammonia concentration. Data were collected from 87 pig farms (n = 5769 pigs; n = 643 pens). The larger the eliminative area and resting area, the cleaner were the pigs. The eliminating area could have open partitions and be placed in the back of the pen. The resting area with a large amount of litter on the floor and use of straw as rooting material increased the cleanliness of this area. A more optimal pen design, such as that described in the present study, can reduce the workload for the farmers (cleaning), improve air quality, and lower the environmental footprint.There are several environmental and ambient factors that can affect pig eliminative behaviour. The aim of this survey was to investigate factors related to the physical and ambient environment that have the strongest effects on pig and pen cleanliness and ammonia concentration. Data were collected from 87 pig farms and analysed using mixed (ammonia concentration) or generalized linear (pen and pig cleanliness) model in SAS. The pen was cleaner when pen partitions were open compared to closed (p = 0.010) and increased with increasing amount of litter (p = 0.002), using straw (p = 0.002) as rooting material. Pig cleanliness was higher when pen partitions in the eliminative area were open compared to closed (p = 0.007) and increased with increasing space per pig in the resting area (p < 0.001), with decreasing temperature (p < 0.001), and lowering of air velocity (p = 0.003). Other factors that increased cleanliness was using straw as rooting material (p = 0.028) and increasing amount of litter in the resting area (p = 0.002). Ammonia concentration was reduced with increasing floor space in the eliminative area (p < 0.001) and increasing amount of litter (p = 0.006). Our results pinpoint physical and ambient conditions affecting pen and pig cleanliness and air quality.

Evaluating the effectiveness of a single application of 7% iodine tincture umbilical dip as a prevention of infection of the external umbilical structures in dairy calves

The objective of this randomized clinical trial was to evaluate the effectiveness of a single application of 7% iodine tincture-based umbilical dip for preventing infection of the external umbilical structures in dairy calves. Five dairy farms in southern Ontario were visited twice weekly from September 2020 through June 2021. Female (n = 244) and male (n = 40) Holstein calves were randomly assigned at birth to receive either a 7% iodine tincture-based umbilical dip (n = 140) or no treatment (n = 144). Calves in the 7% iodine tincture umbilical dip group had the product administered once by the producer shortly after birth. For each newborn calf, the experimental group, calving difficulty, volume and timing of colostrum administration, time of birth, calving pen cleanliness, and the dam ID were recorded. Calf body weight was recorded during the first visit after birth, and a blood sample was collected for measurement of serum IgG concentration. Calves were health scored twice weekly from enrollment until approximately 30 d of age for assessment of external umbilical infection, joint inflammation, respiratory disease, and diarrhea. The primary outcome of the study was external umbilical infection, which was defined as an enlarged umbilicus with pain, heat, or a malodorous discharge. Calves were also weighed at 30 and 60 d to determine average daily gain. Serum IgG concentration and birth weight did not differ significantly between groups. Twenty-nine calves (20%) in the umbilical dip group developed an external umbilical infections, compared with 31 calves (22%) in the control group. A mixed logistic regression model, accounting for farm as a random effect, showed no effect of treatment on the incidence of an external umbilical infection. However, for every additional hour that calves received colostrum after birth, the odds of developing an external umbilical infection increased during the first month of life (odds ratio = 1.15; 95% confidence interval: 1.04-1.26). Additionally, treatment had no effect on respiratory disease, joint inflammation, diarrhea, average daily gain, or mortality, compared with the untreated control. These findings suggest that administering a single application of 7% iodine tincture dip to the umbilicus around the time of birth may not be effective for preventing external umbilical infections. Farm-level management factors, including colostrum management, appear to have more influence on risk of this disease.

Effect of Stocking Density on Behavior and Pen Cleanliness of Grouped Growing Pigs

In recent years, animal cleanliness during production has gradually attracted increasing attention. Although pigs by nature tend to excrete in dark and humid corners, in the prevalent highly intensive pig production, excessive stocking density often restricts the ability of pigs to excrete at designated points, thereby leading to pollution of the pens. To study the effect of stocking density on pen cleanliness and the relevant pig behavior, a total of 216 Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc hybrid pigs were randomly grouped at 0.5, 0.7, or 0.9 m2 per pig at 59 ± 3 days of age. The temporal and spatial distributions of lying and excreting behavior of pigs were monitored on days 1, 7, and 35 after transfer, and the cleanliness of pig pens under three stocking densities was scored. The results showed that there were no significant differences in excreting or lying time rhythms among the three treatments. In the initial and stable periods of group transfer, the excretion rate of pigs on slatted floors was significantly higher than that on solid floors at 0.9 m2/pig (p &lt; 0.01). During the group stabilization stage and at the end of the experiment, the lying rate of pigs on solid floors under 0.9 m2/pig was 10.81%, that is, 7.43% higher than that of 0.7 m2/pig, and the differences were significant. Judging from the pollution score of the solid floors, the three stocking densities all showed more serious pollution at the corners, and the pollution score of the pens with a density of 0.9 m2/pig was lower than that of the pens with a density of 0.5 and 0.7 m2/pig. The analysis of whether pigs had corresponding behaviors in specific functional areas showed that pigs at a density of 0.9 m2/pig had a 10.14% lower lying rate on slatted floors (the expected excretion area) than on solid floors, whereas the densities of 0.5 and 0.7 m2/pig showed the opposite pattern. Pigs at a density of 0.9 m2/pig had lower excretion rates in both corners of the solid floors (the desired lying area) than that of the 0.5 m2/pig group (p &lt; 0.05) and 0.7 m2/pig group (p &gt; 0.05). These results indicate that when the effective occupied space of pigs was larger, specific behaviors were more likely to occur in the set functional areas, and the cleanliness of the pen was higher. Under the conditions of this experiment, the recommended stocking density for growing pigs was 0.9 m2/pig. Of course, a larger space may be more beneficial to animal health and welfare, but the economic costs must also be considered.

Invited Review: Design and management of group maternity areas for dairy cows

ABSTRACT Purpose The purpose of this review is to describe the research to date on the housing and management of dairy cows in group maternity areas. Sources We used a review of the peer-reviewed literature to identify articles that included an experimental study using dairy cows kept in groups at calving. Our review also includes studies from the broader literature using cows kept in individual maternity pens, dry cows, lactating cows, and beef cattle. Synthesis Housing cows in group maternity areas creates unique challenges compared with housing cows in individual pens. Advantages to calving in group pens include limited pen moves, reduced risk that cows calve in freestalls, and potentially improved labor efficiency. Disadvantages of group maternity areas include the limited ability of cows to express natural behaviors before calving such as seclusion from pen mates, the risk of the calf being nursed by the wrong dam, a lack of space for cows as they prepare to give birth, social instability caused by regrouping, and challenges with pen cleanliness. Conclusions and Applications Research to date has focused on creating opportunities for isolation-seeking behavior for dairy cows in group maternity areas. Cows in group pens are motivated to seek isolation at calving, but the ability to do so can be limited by competition. Research is still needed to determine potential negative effects of high stocking density and frequent regrouping in group maternity areas on cow behavior and health.

The effect of pen design on pen floor cleanliness in farrowing pens for loose housed lactating sows

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of design of farrowing pens for loose housed sows on dunging pattern and pen cleanliness. Thirty commercial pig herds in Norway were visited by a trained observer. Pens were divided into five sectors and the amount of dung in each sector (score 0–3), and the proportion of sector covered with dung, were scored. Pen cleanliness indices (PCI) were then calculated for a total of 317 pens, using two models. For Model B, the PCIB varied between herds from 1.2 in the herd with the cleanest pens to 10.4 in the herd with the dirtiest pens. However, variation within herds was also large. For the 5 herds with the lowest PCIB, the pens were on average larger, had a proportionally larger area of slatted floor, were provided with more bedding material and the pen side walls were solid.

Structural characterization of piglet producing farms and their sow removal patterns in Finland

BackgroundThe main objectives of this observational, cross-sectional study were to characterize piglet producing farms in Finland and to investigate how farm profiles are associated with sow culling and mortality.The study was conducted on 43 farms during 2014. A questionnaire survey was administered in-person and supplemented with observations in the housing facilities. Annual removal figures and average monthly sow inventories were retrieved from a centralized animal data recording system (National Swine Registry) administered by the Finnish Food Authority. Multiple correspondence analysis and hierarchical clustering were used to explore the complex underlying data-driven patterns.ResultsSow removal varied markedly between farms with an overall average culling percentage of 38.0% (95% CI 34.1–42.0) and a relatively high average mortality percentage 9.7% (95% CI 7.9–11.5). We identified three farm clusters, which differed both in their typologies and removal patterns. Cluster 1 included farms with features indicative of a semi-intensive or intensive kind of farming, such as larger herd and room sizes, higher stocking density and more sows per caretaker. Most of the cluster 1 farms exceeded the investigated cut-off levels for culling and mortality. Cluster 2 farms were estimated to have the best animal welfare among the sample farms based on a combination of environmental indicators (e.g. amount of bedding, rooting and nesting materials, space allowance, pen cleanliness) and the lowest level of sow mortality as an animal-based indicator. Cluster 3 farms followed a strategy of a rather non-intensified system based on the predominance of smaller herd size, lower stocking density and less sows per caretaker, combined breeding and gestation rooms and rare use of farrowing induction. This cluster showed the lowest culling levels within the sample.ConclusionsThis study captures the diversity among Finnish sow farms and provides a baseline assessment of their practices and facilities. Our results support the notion that farm typologies are associated with sow culling and mortality. In summary, the control of suboptimal sow removal cannot be based on single improvements only, because of other limitations within the individual farm resources.

PSIX-4 Cleaning frequency and straw bedding length alters behavior and animal and pen cleanliness of fattening bulls.

PSIX-4 Cleaning frequency and straw bedding length alters behavior and animal and pen cleanliness of fattening bulls.

Implication and impact of straw provision on behaviour, lesions and pen hygiene on commercial farms rearing undocked pigs

According to the European Union Council Directive 2008/120EC, measures to minimise the risk for tail biting shall be taken before practicing tail docking, e.g. provision of manipulable material. Still, >90% of the pigs within EU are tail docked. Thus, management routines for providing manipulable material in commercial pig production are needed. The aim of this study was to investigate how an increase from normal straw ration influence pig behaviour, occurrence of tail- and ear lesions and impact on pen hygiene.The experiment was conducted on five Swedish commercial farms; one grower and four farrow-to-finish farms. One batch per farm was studied, following pigs throughout the grower or finishing pig period. Both age groups were examined in two of the farrow-to-finish farms and only finishers in the other two, studying three grower and four finisher batches in total. The pens in a batch were divided into Control (C) and Extra Straw (ES). Pens in C were provided with the farm normal daily straw ratio, while pigs in ES got a doubled C-ration. The pigs in eight focus pens per Treatment were scored for lesions on ears and tails every two weeks. In connection with lesion scoring, behaviour observation was conducted in active pigs during one hour (4 min scan sampling) in the focus pens. All pigs in the batch were examined for tail- and ear lesions during the first and last week of the experiment.Both growers and finishers spent most of their active time manipulating straw. ES-pigs showed more straw-directed and less pen-directed behaviour in both age groups compared to C-pigs. Behaviour was also affected by farm and age revealing that the impact of an increased straw ration differed between farms and pig age. The increased straw ration did not affect the pen cleanliness, showing that it was practically feasible to increase the straw rations on all participating farms.The prevalence of tail damages increased with age, and more severe damages was found in C compared to ES. Severe tail and ear lesions were found in ∼0.6 and 0.07% of the growers and ∼2.2 and 0.75% of the finishers, C- and ES pigs respectively. Approximately 50% of the finishing pigs had tail damages at the end of the study, but the majority of lesions were less than 5 mm long and might not have been detected without close clinical examination.

The effects of copper source and concentration on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and pen cleanliness in finishing pigs1,2

A total of 1,143 pigs (PIC 337 × 1050, initially 25.1 ± 0.03 kg BW) were used in a 111-d study to determine the effects of copper sulfate (CuSO4; Prince Agri-Products, Quincy, IL) or tribasic copper chloride (TBCC; IntelliBond C; Micronutrients, Indianapolis, IN) on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and pen cleanliness. Pens of pigs were allotted to 1 of 6 dietary treatments, balanced on average pen weight in a randomized complete block design with 25 to 28 pigs per pen and 7 replications per treatment. Treatments included a corn–soybean meal–based diet (corn-soy), a high-by-product diet with 30% distillers dried grains with solubles and 15% bakery meal (by-product diet), and the by-product diet with 75 or 150 mg/kg added Cu from CuSO4 or TBCC. All diets contained 20 mg/kg Cu from CuSO4 in the trace mineral premix. At the conclusion of the trial, a digital photo of each pen was taken to allow 3 independent observers to score manure texture and buildup and to assess pen cleanliness prior to power washing. Furthermore, the time required to power wash each pen was also measured. Overall, pigs fed the by-product diet tended to have increased ADFI (P = 0.083) and had decreased G:F (P = 0.005) compared to those fed the corn-soy diet. No Cu source × level interactions or Cu source differences were observed (P > 0.05). From d 0 to 71, pigs fed increasing Cu had increased (quadratic, P < 0.05) ADG, d 71 BW, and ADFI. From d 71 to 111, pigs fed increasing Cu tended to have increased ADFI (linear, P = 0.068) and decreased G:F (quadratic, P = 0.056). Overall (d 0 to 111), increasing Cu increased (linear, P < 0.01) ADG, final BW, and ADFI (quadratic, P = 0.026). Hot carcass weight increased (linear, P = 0.023) by 2.4 kg with increasing Cu. Increasing Cu also increased loin depth (linear, P = 0.019) and percentage lean (quadratic, P = 0.024). Manure buildup and wash time (s/pen) increased (P < 0.05) for by-product diet pens compared to corn-soy pens; however, neither wash time nor pen cleanliness were influenced by added Cu. In summary, increasing dietary Cu in high-by-product diets improved growth and feed intake, resulting in increased final BW and HCW for pigs fed both Cu sources, without influencing pen wash time.

The effects of copper source and concentration on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and pen cleanliness in finishing pigs.

A total of 1,143 pigs (PIC 337 × 1050, initially 25.1 ± 0.03 kg BW) were used in a 111-d study to determine the effects of copper sulfate (CuSO; Prince Agri-Products, Quincy, IL) or tribasic copper chloride (TBCC; IntelliBond C; Micronutrients, Indianapolis, IN) on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and pen cleanliness. Pens of pigs were allotted to 1 of 6 dietary treatments, balanced on average pen weight in a randomized complete block design with 25 to 28 pigs per pen and 7 replications per treatment. Treatments included a corn-soybean meal-based diet (corn-soy), a high-by-product diet with 30% distillers dried grains with solubles and 15% bakery meal (by-product diet), and the by-product diet with 75 or 150 mg/kg added Cu from CuSO or TBCC. All diets contained 20 mg/kg Cu from CuSO in the trace mineral premix. At the conclusion of the trial, a digital photo of each pen was taken to allow 3 independent observers to score manure texture and buildup and to assess pen cleanliness prior to power washing. Furthermore, the time required to power wash each pen was also measured. Overall, pigs fed the by-product diet tended to have increased ADFI ( = 0.083) and had decreased G:F ( = 0.005) compared to those fed the corn-soy diet. No Cu source × level interactions or Cu source differences were observed ( > 0.05). From d 0 to 71, pigs fed increasing Cu had increased (quadratic, < 0.05) ADG, d 71 BW, and ADFI. From d 71 to 111, pigs fed increasing Cu tended to have increased ADFI (linear, = 0.068) and decreased G:F (quadratic, = 0.056). Overall (d 0 to 111), increasing Cu increased (linear, < 0.01) ADG, final BW, and ADFI (quadratic, = 0.026). Hot carcass weight increased (linear, = 0.023) by 2.4 kg with increasing Cu. Increasing Cu also increased loin depth (linear, = 0.019) and percentage lean (quadratic, = 0.024). Manure buildup and wash time (s/pen) increased ( < 0.05) for by-product diet pens compared to corn-soy pens; however, neither wash time nor pen cleanliness were influenced by added Cu. In summary, increasing dietary Cu in high-by-product diets improved growth and feed intake, resulting in increased final BW and HCW for pigs fed both Cu sources, without influencing pen wash time.

Individual differences in dunging patterns in loose-housed lactating sows

ABSTRACTThis research investigated individual differences in dunging patterns in loose-housed lactating sows. Farrowing pens were divided into six sectors and in study 1 each sector was given a dung score from 0 (no manure) to 3 (≥2 deposits). There were significant positive correlations between dung score and the weight of manure within sectors. In study 2, pen cleanliness was scored in 24 farrowing pens for loose-housed sows on three consecutive days in weeks 3, 4 and 5 of lactation (9 observations). One-third of the sows received a dung score of 0 for the solid floor area, in seven to nine of the observations. These sows could be categorized as ‘clean’ sows. However, 46% of sows scored 0 in the solid floor area for less than two observations, and these sows could be categorized as ‘dirty’ sows. Overall, older parity sows were ‘cleaner’ than gilts and mid-parity sows.

Diurnal rhythms, locations and behavioural sequences associated with eliminative behaviours in fattening pigs

Understanding eliminative behaviours in pigs is very important to maintain individual and pen cleanliness. In this experiment, twenty fattening pigs were housed in four concrete floor pens with a floor space of 3.25m2 per pig and free accessibility of outdoor runs. We studied the diurnal rhythms, locations and behavioural sequences associated with eliminative behaviours in these pigs by videoing them for two consecutive days per week over a total study period of four weeks. A total of 2859 eliminating events were recorded and only three events occurred indoors. These elimination events followed a daily periodical pattern with the peak between 13:00 and 14:00h and there was a significant positive correlation between the elimination and drinking. About 76.5±1.26% of the outdoor elimination events were located in the corners. With the distance from corners increasing, the elimination decreased and moving and exploring increased. Pigs preferred corners as dunging areas intending to prevent them from being disturbed during elimination because that limited postures during eliminations made pigs become targets for tactile interactions by penmates. More tactile interactions received during than before eliminations could approved this deduction. Typical elimination sequences were exploring-elimination-moving and moving-elimination-moving. Among all elimination sequences, there were 68.1±0.81% elimination events being observed following the exploring process and only 14.4±0.31% followed immediately by the exploring. The reason maybe was that pigs confirmed the elimination locations by exploring before elimination and exploring after elimination was not necessary. We suggested that the provision of a suitable dunging area would contribute to good management and cleanliness of pens and pigs.

The effects of different flooring types on the behavior, health, and welfare of finishing beef steers.

Raising beef cattle on concrete floors can negatively impact their welfare by increasing joint swelling and body lesions, as well as abnormalities in resting behavior and postural changes. We hypothesized that the addition of rubber mats to concrete pens would improve beef cattle welfare by improving performance, health, hygiene, and resting behavior. Forty-eight crossbred Angus steers were housed in pens of 4 and randomly assigned to a single flooring treatment: (1) fully slatted concrete (CON), (2) fully slatted rubber mat (SLAT), or (3) solid rubber mat (SOLID; 60% of pen floor) from 36 to 48 wk of age. Weight, ADG, lesions, gait score, joint swelling, and animal and pen cleanliness were collected every 2 wk. Behavioral time budgets and frequency of postural changes (an indicator of floor traction and comfort) were collected at 0, 6, and 12 wk. No differences in weight gain or ADG were observed. Steers on SOLID flooring (0.80 ± 0.08) showed increased lesions compared to SLAT (0.38 ± 0.08) and CON (0.37 ± 0.08; both, = 0.05); however, there was no difference between SLAT and CON. SLAT steers (1.69 ± 0.04) showed a reduced gait score compared to SOLID (1.95 ± 0.04) and CON (1.98 ± 0.04; both, < 0.05), but SOLID and CON did not differ. Steers on SLAT flooring had less joint swelling (both knees and hocks) compared to SOLID and CON (all comparisons, < 0.05), but SOLID and CON did not differ. Steers on SOLID (3.64 ± 0.05) flooring were dirtier than those on SLAT (2.27 ± 0.05) and CON (2.19 ± 0.05; both, < 0.001), whereas SLAT and CON were similar. Additionally, SOLID and SLAT pens were less clean than CON pens ( < 0.001 and = 0.094, respectively), and SOLID was less clean than SLAT ( < 0.001). Time budget behavior was affected by treatment ( = 0.043), where SOLID differed from CON and SLAT (both, < 0.05). Steers on SOLID flooring preferred to rest on the rubber mat vs. slatted concrete ( = 0.001). Steers on SLAT flooring changed their posture more frequently than those on SOLID and CON flooring (both, < 0.05), but SOLID and CON did not differ. Compared to CON steers, SOLID steers showed an increase in lesions and a reduction in cleanliness, whereas SLAT steers showed a decrease in gait score and joint swelling and an increase in postural changes. Combined, these data suggest that the addition of slatted rubber mats to concrete pens may improve beef cattle welfare.

Effects of copper source (Intellibond C or copper sulfate) on growth performance, carcass characteristics, pen cleanliness, and economics in finishing pigs

A total of 1,143 pigs (PIC 337 × 1050, initially 55.3 lb) were used to determine the effects of tribasic copper chloride (TBCC; Intellibond C; Micronutrients Inc., Indianapolis, IN) or copper sulfate (CuSO4) on growth performance, carcass characteristics, pen cleanliness, and economics in a 111-d study. Pens of pigs were randomly allotted to 1 of 6 dietary treatments and balanced based on average pen weight in a completely randomized design with 25 to 28 pigs per pen and 8 pens per treatment. Treatment diets included a corn-soybean meal positive control, a high by-product diet with 30% dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) and 15% bakery meal (negative control), or the negative control diet with 75 or 150 ppm copper from CuSO4 or TBCC. All diets were formulated on a standardized ileal digestible (SID) amino acid basis and were 0.05% below the pig’s estimated lysine requirement throughout the trial. Pigs fed the corn-soybean meal positive control diet had improved (P < 0.01) F/G and tended to have increased ADFI (P < 0.08) compared with those fed the negative control, high by-product diet. Pigs fed increasing copper had improved (linear, P < 0.01) ADG and ADFI but tended to have slightly poorer (quadratic, P < 0.06) F/G. Although no interactions were observed between copper source and level, pigs fed increasing CuSO4 had increased (linear, P < 0.02) ADFI, whereas pigs fed increasing TBCC had increased ADG, ADFI, and final BW (linear, P < 0.01). Increasing added copper improved (linear, P < 0.02) HCW and loin depth, with the greatest response in HCW for pigs fed TBCC (linear, P < 0.01). For pen characteristics, pigs fed the high by-product diet had greater (P < 0.01) manure buildup and longer wash time than those fed the corn-soybean meal control diet. Addition of copper to diets did not influence pen wash time and had no impact on manure buildup. Economics were calculated on both a constant days on feed and constant market weight basis. Pigs fed either source of copper to a constant days on feed had an increase in feed cost per pig (linear, P < 0.01) as well as a higher (P < 0.10) revenue per pig. When economics were calculated on feeding pigs to a constant BW, facility costs decreased (linear, P < 0.05) with feeding copper. Although no significant differences were detected in income over feed and facility cost for added copper, the greatest numerical advantage to individual copper sources occurred at 75 PPM for CuSO4 ($0.26) and at 150 ppm for TBCC ($1.35 per pig). In summary, feeding increased levels of copper sulfate or TBCC in diets formulated slightly below the estimated SID lysine requirement increased growth rate and feed intake, resulting in increased final BW and HCW. Pigs fed TBCC at 150 ppm had the highest final BW (+12.8 lb) and HCW (+7.7 lb). In addition, the use of added copper in the diets did not increase time required to wash pens. More research is needed to determine whether the amino acid concentration influences the response to copper source and level in diets for growing and finishing pigs.; Swine Day, Manhattan, KS, November 21, 2013

Legislative methods for specifying stocking density and consequences for the welfare of finishing pigs

EU Council Directive 91/630/EEC specifies a banded system of increasing space allowance for finishing pigs, which imposes a degree of inflexibility on housing management. The study presented in this paper investigated whether there are measurable differences in welfare when pigs are kept at the minimum stocking densities described by the bands of the regulations (B), compared to those calculated using an equation (E) relating space allowance and live weight; Area (m 2)=0.030×Live weight 0.67 (kg). Furthermore, the study compared different floor types [fully slatted (F), solid without straw (N) or solid with straw bedding (S)] at these stocking densities. Eighteen groups of 12 pigs were allocated to this 2×3 factorial experiment, between 29 and 110 kg live weight. Data were collected on a range of welfare parameters. No effects of the space allowance treatments or interactive effects between space allowance and floor type were found. S pigs showed higher levels of manipulative behaviours than N pigs (47 vs. 57% of time spent active, N vs. S; P<0.01), with S pigs manipulating straw approximately 45% of active time. Observed skin damage was less in N pigs compared to S pigs, but this may have been confounded by their pens being more soiled (59 vs. 77% clean floor area, N vs. S; P<0.001). Post slaughter assessments did not show differences between treatments. It was concluded that straw provision may provide welfare benefits in terms of pen cleanliness and its properties as a foraging substrate. The results indicated that the equation method of specifying minimum space requirements, which offers practical advantages compared with the banded method, provides a similar degree of welfare. This conclusion may help to form the basis for future European welfare legislation.

Factors affecting excretory behavior of pigs

A 2(4) factorial experiment with six pens per treatment was conducted to examine the factors affecting the excretory behavior of growing-finishing pigs. The factors investigated were partition type (open or closed), pig density (9 or 14 pigs/pen, size: 2 m x 4.5 m), position of nipple drinker in the pen (back wall of the pen or side in front of slatted area), and prior experience of pigs (training or no training). A total of 1,104 pigs at a weight interval of 28.4 +/- .2 to 91.4 +/- .4 kg were used in this study. Pen cleanliness was assessed by a dung scoring system, and growth rate was determined over the growing-finishing period. Partition type, nipple drinker position, or prior training of pigs had no effect on growth rate. Stocking pigs at 14 pigs/pen reduced growth rate (P < .05) compared with 9 pigs/pen (.80 vs .83 kg/d). Significant differences for pen dirtiness were found for partition type. Pens with closed partitions were cleaner than those with open partitions (P = .0001) and pens became significantly dirtier as pigs grew older or heavier (P < .01). There was a significant interaction effect between pen partition and pig density as well as an interaction among pen partition, pig density, and water position (P < .05).

Spatial variability of airborne and settled dust in a piggery

An experiment was conducted to assess the spatial variability of dust within theairspace of an occupied piggery. Measurements of airborne and settled dust were made for 16 days at 16 locations within a 180 place, partially slatted-floor, grower-finisher piggery. Eight locations were in a vertical cross-section covering half the width of the building. Two of these locations were used in conjunction with eight further locations over the remaining pen barriers to establish a horizontal sampling plane. Aerial dust samples were collected every 24h and settled dust samples every 4 days. Particle size analysis was carried out on all of the settled dust and half of the aerial dust samples. Measurements were made of airspace temperature and air velocity at each sampling location, and of pen cleanliness throughout the building. The mean aerial dust concentration was 2·2 mg/m 3, ranging from a minimum of1·6 mg/m 3 to a maximum of 2·74 mg/m 3. The mean dust sedimentation rate was 137 mg m −2 h −1 and varied from 70 mg m −2 h −1 to 295 mg m −2 h −1. The lowest values for both measures of dust occurred at pen barrier height over the slatted portion of a centrally located pen and the highest values occurred at floor level within the solid-floor portion of the pen. The average mass mean diameter of the particles in the airborne samples was 14 μm compared with 18 ,um for the settled dust samples. In general, there was a greater percentage of larger particles in both the airborne and settled dust at the front of the pens. The spatial variability of dust from end to end of the building was smaller than the variability within a building cross-section. These results were consistent with what was expected given an intuitive knowledge of where the dust was produced and the direction of air currents. In this building with sidewall extraction fans and centre air inlets, sampling at a location near the front of the pen, just above the pen barrier top, gave data representative of the dust levels to which the operator would be subjected. The spatial distribution of dust did not change appreciably from day to day; however, the day to day variability was large, such that health risks should not be assessed on data taken on one or two days only.

Restricted floor feeding or ad libitum feeding of growing pigs using a prototype micro-processor controlled feed dispenser

An experiment at Terrington compared restricted floor feeding with ad libitum hopper feeding of group housed pigs over a weight range of about 35-90 kg. A prototype micro-processor controlled feed dispensing system, developed from the “Pig Code” electronic sow feeder, was used to automatically record ad libitum feed intake. Two dispensers were used to investigate the effect of feeder siting on pig performance and pen cleanliness.

Response to Selection for Feed Efficiency in Individually Fed Yorkshire Boars

Five generations of selection for improved feed efficiency (feed/gain) were practiced from 1971 to 1976. Performance records were collected on 642 Yorkshire boars from 135 sires and 345 dams. All boars were individually fed ad libitum to 100 kilograms. Responses to selection were estimated by the regression of generation means adjusted for environmental effects on generation number. The regression of adjusted feed efficiency means on generation number was −.019 ± .025. The realized heritability of feed efficiency was .09 ± .08. Correlated responses to selection for rate of gain, daily feed consumption, backfat thickness and subjective feed wastage and pen cleanliness scores were estimated by the regression of generation means adjusted for environmental effects on generation number. The regression coefficients were .003 ± .018 for rate of gain, −.007 ± .029 for daily feed consumption, −.003 ± .022 for backfat thickness, −.021 ± .052 for feed wastage score and −.032 ± .037 for pen cleanliness score. None of the regression coefficients was significantly different from zero.