Slatted Floor Research Articles

Dirt Score in Large White Yorkshire Piglets during the Postweaning Period Reared on Different Floor Types

An experiment was carried out on 24 Large White Yorkshire piglets of either sex at the pig unit of LFC of C.V.Sc., Rajendranagar, Hyderabad from weaning (56days) to 126 days. Piglets were reared on four types of flooring systems i.e., T1 (control group) reared on the concrete floor, T2 rubber mat, T3 elevated slatted floor, and T4 reared on soil floor. The floor space provided was 1.5 m2 per piglet during the post-weaning period. Pig cleanliness was assessed using a five-point scale on 4 anatomical areas: rear, back, and both flanks, and each area was given a score from 0 to 4. The cleanliness score was increased as the age advanced from first to ninth fortnight in all floor types. The overall mean cleanliness scores of LWY piglets maintained on four different floors was 2.21 ± 0.06, 2.57 ± 0.04, 0.63 ± 0.02, and 2.44 ± 0.03 in concrete, rubber mat, elevated slatted, and soil floor respectively. The overall mean dirt score of piglets reared on rubber mat floor was significantly (P<.0.01) higher than the piglets on the elevated slatted floor, but it was comparable with concrete and soil floor. The higher cleanliness score of the piglets reared on rubber mat floor were dirtier than piglets on concrete and soil floor whereas, the piglets reared on elevated slatted (low score) were cleaner than rubber mat, soil, and concrete floors.

PSIII-14 Cotton gin byproduct in growing diets for beef steers

Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of beef cattle during the stocker phase when fed different concentrations of cotton gin byproduct (CGB). Angus steers [n = 50; initial body weight (BW) = 349 ± 66 kg) were stratified by BW and grouped in slatted floor pens (10 steers/pen). Steers were assigned randomly within pen (2 per pen) to one of five diets containing 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40% CGB (dry matter basis). Diets were balanced for protein and energy, and the steers were fed for 84 d. Steers were weighed on d -1, 0, 28, 56, 83, and 84 for the stocker phase with d -1 and 0, 83 and 84 averaged to give start and end BW. Following the growing period, steers were switched to the same finishing diet and fed for an additional 55 d prior to being transported to PA for harvest and carcass data collection. Data were analyzed using procMIXED of SASv9.4 to determine the significance of linear, quadratic, cubic, and quartic trends. During the growing phase, dry matter intake increased linearly (P = 0.0017) with 10.16, 11.23, 11.59, 11.86, and 11.96 kg/d for 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40% CGB, respectively. Average daily gain tended to increase (P = 0.0631) with a cubic trend, increasing with the first addition of CGB, declining at the intermediate levels, and then increasing again at the 40% level (1.34, 1.54, 1.36, 1.39, and 1.52 kg/d for 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40% CGB, respectively). Feed efficiency showed a similar cubic trend (P = 0.10) with 0.133, 0.138, 0.119, 0.117, and 0.128 for 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40% CGB, respectively. Within the finishing phase, average daily gain was significant (P = 0.026) as a quadratic trend with 1.54, 1.25, 1.18, 1.20, and 1.33 kg/d for 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40% CGB, respectively. Diets did not differ (P > 0.10) for dry matter intake (10.08 kg/d), feed conversion (8.31), or feed efficiency (0.130). Treatment did not influence (P > 0.10) marbling or other carcass measurements. Data suggest CGB supported good animal gains with only minor impact on feed intake and feed efficiency for stocker steers up to an inclusion rate of 40%.

A Study on the Effect of Housing on Parasitic Load of Nellore Lambs

A study was carried out to find out the effect of housing on Parasitic load of Nellore Jodipi lambs under tropical environmental conditions. Thirty weaned Nellore ram lambs of 3-4 months age were selected based on body weight and randomly divided into three groups of ten animals each. The parasitic load i.e., Egg per gram (EPG) was determined regularly at every month during entire study period. The faecal egg count was performed by a Mc Master technique. With regard to parasitic load, the prevalence of parasites and eggs per gram (EPG) count were significantly (P<0.05) lower in slatted floor housing system (11.3±3.14) than that of morum floor housing systems (25.6±3.98 and 25.5±3.80). It was concluded that the housing system of elevated slatted flooring with galvalume roofing proved to be effective in controlling reinfestation of parasites and maintain hygiene environment for better performance of Nellore ram lambs.

A Study on the Effect of Housing on Physiological Responses of Nellore Lambs Kasala

A study was carried out to find out the effect of housing on physiological responses of Nellore Jodipi lambs under tropical environmental conditions. Thirty weaned Nellore ram lambs of 3-4 months age were selected based on body weight (average initial body weight) and randomly divided into three groups of ten animals each. The lambs in Group-I were housed with morum flooring and asbestos roofing with tree shade, while Group-II lambs were housed with morum flooring and asbestos roofing without tree shade and Group-III lambs were housed with elevated slatted flooring and galvalume roofing without tree shade. Temperature and humidity values were significantly (P<0.05) different among all the groups. Lower mean maximum temperature (°C) values were observed in group III (35.53±0.28) when compared to group I (36.22±0.27) and II (37.29±0.25) and the lower average maximum relative humidity (%) was 69.59±2.92 in group III followed by group II (69.88±2.94) and I (70.65±2.96). The mean physiological responses viz., rectal temperature, respiration rate and pulse rate were significantly (P<0.05) lower in group III (102.38±1.00°F, 26.25±1.00bpm, 69.07±1.00beats/min.) when compared to group I (102.60±1.00°F, 31.60±1.00bpm, 82.10±1.00beats/min.) and II (102.85±1.00°F, 33.56±1.00bpm, 87.08±1.00beats/min.), respectively. It was concluded that the housing system of elevated slatted flooring with galvalume roofing proved to be effective in controlling heat stress and maintaining normal physiological responses for better growth performance of Nellore ram lambs.

A Study on the Effect of Housing on Serum Biochemical Parameters of Nellore Lambs

A study was carried out to find out the effect of housing on serum biochemical parameters of Nellore Jodipi lambs under tropical environmental conditions. Thirty weaned Nellore ram lambs of 3-4 months age were selected based on body weight and randomly divided into three groups of ten animals each. Temperature and humidity values were significantly (P<0.05) different among all the groups. The mean serum biochemical parameters like creatinine, urea, sodium, potassium, calcium, ALT and AST were significantly (P<0.05) higher in group II (1.75±1.00 mg/dl, 21.23±1.00 mg/dl, 150.16±1.00 mmol/L, 4.76±0.22 mmol/L, 12.87±1.00 mg/dl, 243.38±1.00 IU/L, 32.03±1.00I U/L) when compared to group I (1.36±1.00 mg/dl, 13.71±1.00 mg/dl, 144.95±1.0 mmol/L, 4.55±0.22 mmol/L, 12.06±1.00 mg/dl, 171.77±1.00 IU/L, 26.93±1.00 IU/L) and group III (1.32±1.00 mg/dl, 8.96±1.00 mg/dl, 141.77±1.00 mmol/L, 3.99±1.00 mmol/L, 11.27±1.00 mg/dl, 124.53±1.00 IU/L, 23.88±1.00 IU/L) respectively, whereas, other parameters like glucose was significantly (P<0.05) lower in group II (39.07±1.00 mg/dl) when compared to group I (55.41±1.00 mg/dl) and III (75.26±1.00 mg/dl). It was concluded that the housing system of elevated slatted flooring with galvalume roofing proved to be effective in controlling heat stress and maintaining normal serum biochemical parameters of Nellore ram lambs.

Efficiency of Recycled Plastic Bedding Material and Gender in Improvement of Productive Traits, Physiological, and Immunological Parameters of Hybrid Broiler Chickens

Litter management is important for poultry housing husbandry and affects chicken performance. The present study evaluated the effect of bedding material and gender on the productive, physiological, and immunological performance of a new hybrid chicken (WINZY Line 105) under cold stress for 56 days of age. A total of 540 one-day-old broiler chicks were divided into two groups. The groups, including 270 males (M) and 270 females (F) were further divided into two sub-groups, including sawdust litter (SL) and plastic slatted floor (PSF), three replicates, and 45 chickens each. Broiler chickens were raised during the winter with an average temperature of 10oC for 56 days. Productive, physiological, and immunological performance parameters were measured. The obtained results indicated that M reared on PSF (M x PSF) recorded the highest values in body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), carcass characteristics, and the best values in feed conversion compared with other interaction groups during all experimental periods. In addition, F reared on PSF had higher BW, carcass, and thigh percentages, low feed intake (FI), and best feed conversion compared to females reared on SL. The M reared on PSF had the highest hepatic enzymes except AST which was higher in F reared on PSF than other treatments. However, renal function biomarkers (Creatine, Uric acid, Urea) were higher in both M and F that were reared on SL than those reared on PSF. Moreover, there was a significant interaction detected for antibody titters against avian influenza (H5) and Newcastle disease at 21 days of age suggesting that the highest values observed for M reared on PSF (M x PSF) compared with other interaction groups during the experimental period, and it was higher in F that reared on PSF than F reared on SL at 21 days of age. It can be concluded that plastic slatted floors could be an alternative to substitute wood shavings to raise broiler chickens since it was efficient from the perspective of environmental conditions and production rates.

Effects of Defatted and Hydrolyzed Black Soldier Fly Larvae Meal as an Alternative Fish Meal in Weaning Pigs.

In Experiment 1, a total of eighteen crossbred ([Landrace × Yorkshire] × Duroc) barrows with an initial body weight of 6.74 ± 0.68 kg were randomly divided into three dietary treatments (one pig per cage and six replicates per treatment) and housed in metabolic cages that were equipped with a feeder and slatted floor to collect urine and feces. In Experiment 2, a total of 96 crossbred ([Landrace × Yorkshire] × Duroc) barrows with an initial body weight of 8.25 ± 0.42 kg were used in the 6-week trial. The pigs were randomly divided into three dietary treatments (three pigs per pen and eight replicates per treatment). In Experiment 1, nutrient composition of defatted black soldier fly larvae meal (BLM) was superior to that of hydrolyzed BLM but lower than that of fish meal (FM). Also, defatted BLM and FM had better apparent total track digestibility (ATTD) of crude protein (CP) and better nitrogen retention (p < 0.05) than hydrolyzed BLM, but there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between defatted BLM and FM. In Experiment 2, defatted BLM improved (p < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and feed cost per kg gain (FCG) compared with FM. Defatted BLM could replace soybean meal and fish meal as an alternative protein source for weaning pigs.

Stimulating prepartum nest-building behaviour through alternative nesting materials has impacts on farrowing kinetics and maternal characteristics in crated sows

The process of nest-building plays a crucial role in parturition, as it has the potential to impact fetal expulsion and reproductive performance of sows. This study aimed to investigate the effect of providing alternative nesting materials (sling belt and rag) on prepartum nest-building behaviour, farrowing process, and postpartum maternal behaviour of sows housed in crates. Thirty-two (21 Landrace and 11 Yorkshire) purebred sows (average parity, 2.66 ± 0.277; range, 1–6) were randomly divided into three groups and housed in farrowing crates with no nesting material (control, n = 9), or with sling belt (SB, n = 9), or with sling belt and rag (SBR, n = 11). The sows’ behaviours were assessed by analyzing top-view video recordings. The nest-building behaviours of the sows were observed during the 24-h period before parturition. Three days after parturition, nursing behaviour was assessed and carefulness toward the piglets was scored after observing for 24 h. The duration and frequency of nest-building behaviour in the SB group was higher than those of that in the control group but lower than those of that in the SBR group (P < 0.05 for both). The duration of sternal lying in sows in the SB group was significantly higher than that of those in the control and SBR groups during parturition (P < 0.001). The control group exhibited higher frequency of bar-biting than did the other two groups, as observed 24 h before parturition (P < 0.001). Multiple comparisons showed that the SBR group had the shortest farrowing duration, followed by the SB and control groups (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the SBR group exhibited shorter birth interval than did the control or SB group (P < 0.01). Total and successful nursing durations in the control group were longer than those in the other groups (P < 0.001), whereas the SBR group showed shorter duration of unsuccessful nursing than did the other two groups (P < 0.01). In conclusion, the provision of a sling belt and rag could facilitate nest-building behaviour, resulting in an enhancement of farrowing process and nursing performance of sows confined in farrowing crates. Collectively, we confirmed the availability of using sling belt and rag as alternative nesting materials for peripartum sows housed in farrowing crate with slatted flooring.

PSII-19 Fecal microbiota composition of weaned piglets under mixed management and poor housing conditions fed diets increased in threonine, methionine and tryptophan

Abstract This study evaluated the effects of increased dietary Thr, Met and Trp supplementation on fecal microbiota composition of weaned piglets raised under contrasting sanitary conditions [(GOOD SC) or under mixed management and poor housing conditions (MM+POOR SC)] during the nursery phase. A total of 144 entire male piglets [body weight (BW) = 6.33 ± 0.91 kg] from a high sanitary status (HSS) farm were randomly housed following a 2×2 factorial arrangement regarding BW blocks. Factorial arrangement was composed of two contrasting SC (GOOD or MM+POOR) and two diets [control, with nutritional requirements according to NRC (2012); or supplemented with Thr:Lys, Met+Cys:Lys and Trp:Lys 20% more than the control]. In total, 12 pens with three piglets each were used for treatment. On d -2, the 144 HSS piglets were allocated to one of two facilities under contrasting SCs. Also on d -2, to mimic a mixed management in the MM+POOR SC, 48 entire male piglets, from a commercial farm with low sanitary status (LSS), were randomly allocated by two piglets per pen into the same pens where the three HSS piglets were. On d 0, the two LSS piglets were removed from the HSS pens and allocated as sentinels into the remaining pens (four/pen) located between pens with HSS piglets. The MM+POOR SC had a weekly cleaning routine only to remove the manure located under the slatted floor, while in the GOOD SC, a daily cleaning routine and a high level of biosecurity protocol were adopted. One fecal sample per pen was collected on d 0, 21 and 42. The V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene was amplified from each fecal sample to evaluate ecological changes into bacterial communities and taxonomy. Mean relative abundance for each family/genus/species (taxon) across groups were depicted as a heatmap using the log2 transformed relative abundance of the most dominant taxa based on a 2% cutoff and network analysis of clusters of co-occurrences of the most relevant taxa (Figure 1). Overall, fecal microbiome analyses revealed no differences (P &amp;gt;0.05) in bacterial community composition and individual taxon abundances at the bacterial genus level across treatments over time. The alpha- and beta-diversity analysis showed no diet or SC differences (P &amp;gt;0.05). Additional community structure analysis based on co-occurrence network mapping revealed the absence of major temporal changes in architecture or keystone nodes (taxa) for HSS animals housed in either GOOD or MM+POOR SCs, despite the AA+ supplementation. The analysis revealed no specific taxon or taxa that were preferentially enriched or diminished over time (P &amp;gt; 0.05). According to our results, the microbial fecal composition of weaned piglets under GOOD or MM+POOR SCs measured using 16S rRNA sequencing analysis was stable including the major central taxa with no Thr, Met and Trp supplementation effect.

PSIII-6 Tail damage caused by tail biting in growing-finishing pigs housed in two group sizes

Abstract Tail biting can compromise the welfare of pigs and cause economic losses for pork producers, but little is known about the development of tail biting and its resulting impact on pigs. In this study, we investigated victimization by tail biting and the resulting impacts on the welfare and performance of pigs housed in two group sizes. Pigs (n = 432, initial body weight = 22.0 ± 3.7 kg) with intact tails were housed in large (LG = 18 pigs/pen, 12 pens) or small groups (SG = 9 pigs/pen, 24 pens) in a barn with fully slatted floors for 14 wk until market weight (120.7 ± 11.8 kg). Floor space (0.76 m2/pig) and feeder space (4 feeder spaces/9 pigs) allowance were identical between group sizes, and pigs were stratified by initial body weight and sex across treatment pens. Growth performance, pig removal, and tail damage were monitored throughout the study. Tail damage was assessed for each pig weekly and during tail biting outbreaks, using a subjective scoring system (0 = no damage; 1 = healed lesions with small scabs; 2 = puncture wounds with visible blood; 3 = wounds with signs of infection; 4 = partial or total loss of the tail). The maximal tail score (MTS) each pig received every four weeks and over the entire 14 weeks was summarized. Pigs that received MTS of ≥ 2 were considered victimized by a tail biter. Data were analyzed using Glimmix procedure with logit function and FREQ procedure with chi-square and CMH test of SAS software. Compared with SG, LG had greater MTS during the initial 4 wk (1.1 vs. 0.8, chi-square = 17.9, df = 1; P &amp;lt; 0.001) and reduced MTS during the last 2 wk (0.7 vs. 0.9, chi-square = 4.8, df = 1; P = 0.03), suggesting that tail damage declined as pigs grew in LG, but not in SG. The number of pigs removed for tail biting tended to be less and those removed for death and sickness tended to be greater in LG than in SG (chi-square = 7.4; df = 3; P = 0.06). Across group sizes, 68% of the removed pigs (n = 28) were victimized by tail biters (MTS ≥ 2). Between group sizes, there was no difference in time to first victimization or how often individual pigs were victimized throughout the study. Across group sizes, 45% of pigs were never victimized, but 22%, 16%, and 9% were victimized 1, 2, and 3 times, respectively. Eight percent of pigs were victimized more than three times, including 6% with MTS of 3 or 4. Pigs with MTS of 4 over the entire study period were three times more likely (odds ratios between 3.18 and 3.70; all P ≤ 0.03; Table 1) to have market weight lower than the average compared with other pigs. Based on these results, we suggest that management strategies should prevent multiple victimizations or tail loss to maintain pig welfare and performance.

Risk factors for antimicrobial use in Dutch pig farms: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundAntimicrobial use (AMU) has decreased significantly in Dutch pig farms since 2009. However, this decrease has stagnated recently, with relatively high AMU levels persisting mainly among weaners. The aim of this study was to identify farm-level characteristics associated with: i) total AMU and ii) use of specific antimicrobial classes. MethodsIn 2020, cross-sectional data from 154 Dutch pig farms were collected, including information on AMU and farm characteristics. A mixed-effects conditional Random Forest analysis was applied to select the subset of features that was best associated with AMU. ResultsThe main risk factors for total AMU in weaners were vaccination for PRRS in sucklings, being a conventional farm (vs. not), high within-farm density, and early weaning. The main protective factors for total AMU in sows/sucklings were E. coli vaccination in sows and having boars for estrus detection from own production. Regarding antimicrobial class-specific outcomes, several risk factors overlapped for weaners and sows/sucklings, such as farmer's non-tertiary education, not having free-sow systems during lactation, and conventional farming. An additional risk factor for weaners was having fully slatted floors. For fatteners, the main risk factor for total AMU was PRRS vaccination in sucklings. ConclusionsSeveral factors found here to be associated with AMU. Some were known but others were novel, such as farmer's tertiary education, low pig aggression and free-sow systems which were all associated with lower AMU. These factors provide targets for developing tailor-made interventions, as well as an evidence-based selection of features for further causal assessment and mediation analysis.

Impressions of sow overgrown toes on U.S. farms: What environmental-based factors are driving this?

The purpose of this study was to poll farm managers regarding the environmental-based factors that may drive overgrown toes on-farm. All survey questions were self-reported by the participants. There was a total of 20 questions, which were separated into 6 different categories: farm demographics, flooring, sow characteristics, lameness, incidence of overgrown toes, and removal reason. The top 20 swine producing companies were chosen as potential survey participants by utilizing the Successful Farming Exclusive: Top 40 U.S. Pork Powerhouse List of 2020. Data will be presented descriptively (numbers and percentages). A total of 63 surveys (that encompassed 275,000 gilts and sows) were received. Half of the responses noted both types of gestation housing were used, and similarly, most used partial slatted flooring. The vast majority of participants reported that lactating sow flooring was cast iron. Over 75% of the participants reported that the gestation floors were &amp;ldquo;dry&amp;rdquo;. Just over 90% noted that their flooring had less than 25% fecal matter on the surface. Collectively, these reports provide a current inventory of what type of housing style, flooring material, and flooring conditions are in modern U.S. sow farms.

Relationships between pig farm management and facilities and lung lesions' scores and between lung lesions scores and carcass characteristics

BackgroundThe objective of this study was to examine the inter-relationships between pig farm management and facilities (as assessed by questionnaire) and post-mortem lung lesion (lung score assesment), which are the result of respiratory infections. The relationships between carcass characteristics and post-mortem lung lesion scores were also investigated.ResultsQuestionnaire responses were collected from 22 self-selecting pig farmers about their farm facilities/management and health condition of the respiratory system of pigs, including the occurrence of clinical respiratory signs, results of laboratory testing for respiratory pathogens, and the use of respiratory vaccines. When fatteners were sent to the abattoir, their carcasses (n = 1,976) were examined for evidence of respiratory disease by lung lesion (pleuritis pneumonia-like (PP-like) and enzootic pneumonia-like (EP-like) lesions) scoring and the Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae Index (APPI) was calculated. Carcass characteristics were recorded and, retrospectively, the prevalence of cachectic pigs was calculated. Using these variables, the relationships between farm facilities/management and lung lesions scores and the relationships between the latter and carcass characteristics and cachexia were explored. The key findings relating farm facilities and management to lung lesions were: slatted floors were associated with significantly higher EP-like lesions scores than litter bedding in weaners, single-stage fattening in the same building was associated with significantly higher EP-like lesions scores than two-stage fattening, but herd size, stocking density, use of all-in/all-out (AIAO) rule, technological break duration and variation in daily temperature did not affect lung lesions scores. The key findings relating lung lesion scores to carcass characteristics were: a significant, negative correlation between EP-like scores and carcass weight but not with other carcass characteristics, a significant positive correlation between PP-like scores and carcass meat content and prevalence of cachectic carcasses and a significant positive correlation between lung APPI and prevalence of cachectic carcasses.ConclusionsIt can be concluded that both farm facilities and management affect lung lesions scores and that the latter affect carcass characteristics. Lung lesion scoring is an inexpensive technique suitable for rapid monitoring of large numbers of carcasses that can be performed after animal slaughter. It provides useful information to inform producers about possible deficits in farm facilities or management and is a predictor of economic loss due to poorer quality carcasses.

Working with cattle slurry on farms: emission and dispersion of hydrogen sulfide gas during stirring.

Over the past 15 years, there have been numerous fatalities related to working with animal slurry. Working with cattle slurry releases toxic gases, in particular, hydrogen sulphide (H2S), which can cause acute central nervous system toxicity, breathing difficulties, and death if exposed to high concentrations. Real-time measurements of H2S gas were taken over distance and time, during the stirring of cattle slurry on farms. Gas was measured at eight slurry stores with differing typical configurations of indoor or outdoor stores and with or without slatted flooring. Highest H2S gas levels were measured from indoor stores under slatted floors, and generally at positions closest to the stirrer or the point of maximum stirring, with levels decreasing with distance from source. Most of the data indicate H2S gas levels increase very rapidly after stirring starts, and mostly decline to baseline levels within 30 min post start of stirring. There were, however, circumstances where gas levels remained high and only started to decline once the stirrer had stopped. H2S gas levels at all farms, at all positions measured were consistently below 10 ppm within 30 min of the stirrer being stopped. The current data highlight areas of the farm and ways of working that have the potential for workers and others to be at risk of exposure to toxic slurry gases. The area should be left to ventilate naturally for at least 30 min after the stirrer has been stopped before re-entering buildings. Influencing the design of stirring equipment and future slurry stores would likely reduce the risk of worker exposure to slurry gases.

Methods of assessing emissions of contaminants from sties into the air

Provision of competitiveness in the sphere of animal farming in Ukraine requires the introduction of innovative systems of technological support involving modern microprocessor control-measurement systems and devices. The method of continuous automatic record of emissions of contaminants from animal premises reveals patterns in emissions of the main air contaminants and allows their mass concentrations and dynamics of emissions to be tracked over 24 h period. By employing this method, we determined the coefficients of 24 h emissions of carbon dioxide and methane from premises for fattening young swine. The coefficients of 24 h emission of ammonia were found to be significantly lower in the sty with a slatted floor in pens for the winter, spring, and autumn periods compared with the sties with concrete floor. However, coefficients of 24 h emission of methane were significantly higher by 76.1–286.9% in the sty with a slatted floor, which is associated with the peculiarities of technology of the self-cleaning system. Two-times removal of manure from the sty with concrete floor significantly reduced the average annual coefficients of emission of carbon dioxide, ammonia, and methane, by 12.1%, 22.4%, and 13.5%, respectively. Analysis of emission of the main contaminants from the sties with slatted and concrete floor in pens indicated a significant effect of this factor on the amount of emission, structure, and presence of seasonal and daily variability in those parameters. Accumulation of experimental materials regarding emission of contaminants will allow average actual parameters of emissions from small pig farms to be identified, which will allow adequate assessment of the effect their activity has on the environment, particularly in residential areas, and substantiate the minimal allowable distances to sanitary-protective zones.

Winter housing systems and costs of sheep production in Norway

Housing and indoor feeding of sheep is required throughout the cold season, which can last more than half a year, in Nordic highlands and Alpine regions. This study aimed to examine and evaluate the housing costs, including labour requirements, according to type of sheep housing system and degree of mechanized feeding by investigating systems commonly used in Nordic and Alpine regions. Detailed cost data were obtained from 61 surveyed sheep farmers in Norway with sheep houses built between the years 2008 and 2015. Costs were calculated for a baseline scenario (2021-prices) as well as for five scenarios at low and high discount rates and opportunity cost of labour, and high energy prices. The median (interquartile range) flock size was 150 (100) winter-fed sheep. Houses with slatted floors were more expensive than deep-litter systems. Costs of bedding material and feed waste were however higher, and the net value of the manure were lower in houses with deep-litter systems. At the baseline assumptions, overall net housing costs per sheep was not statistically different among the main housing types studied. Multiple regression analyses showed that net housing costs per sheep were lower in larger flocks and for centrally located farms (control variables). Undertaking daily chores, such as feeding of roughages twice a day rather than once, resulted in significantly higher net housing costs. Mechanized feeding of roughages, and even more so for concentrates, were not economically justified since labour savings were not sufficient to pay for the additional capital costs. A round bale chopper lowered net housing costs, significantly at a high labour cost. None of the scenarios found slatted floors to be significantly more expensive than deep-litter systems. High costs of labour and capital favoured deep-litter systems, while slatted floor systems were more advantageous at rising prices of energy that resulted in increased values of organic manures and costs of feed wastes and bedding materials. The study was based on a decade old data from common Norwegian sheep house variants. Farmers that consider constructing a new sheep house today, still must compare these variants as their main alternatives. We encourage other researchers to include effects of housing systems and mechanized feeding on animal performance, health, and welfare. Moreover, future studies should preferably also be undertaken in other environmental or socio-economic settings to produce more general results.

The effects of age of castration on carcass characteristics, meat quality and fatty acid profile of finishing South African Mutton Merino lambs

This study compared the effect of either keeping South African Mutton Merino (SAMM) ram lambs intact, or castrated with age applicable methods on their carcass characteristics, meat quality and fatty acid composition of subcutaneous fat (SCF) and intramuscular fat (IMF). Ten lambs per treatment were castrated early at one week of age (EAR) with an elastrator band (4.4 kg ± 0.78 kg: mean ± SD), another 10 lambs at eight weeks of age (late castration - LAT) with a burdizzo (23.6 kg ± 2.26 kg: mean ± SD), whereas another ten lambs were left intact (CON). The two castration methods used were based on cost, ethical prescriptions and to mimic commercial operations. The lambs were housed individually in 30 pens (1.404 m2) for the duration of the study. Animals were housed on an elevated slatted wooden floor in the same metabolic building with an extractor fan to promote ventilation. At the start of the feeding trial, the age of the lambs was on average two and a half months with a live weight of 24.3 kg ± 4.10 kg (mean ± SD). The lambs were fed a standard commercial finishing diet for 67 days and slaughtered when they reached approximately 44.2 kg ± 6.35 kg (mean ± SD) live weight. After slaughter, carcass characteristics (cold carcass) and meat quality were evaluated. The left 3-rib cut was dissected (9th through 11th rib) and the muscle percentage for CON lambs was higher compared to both EAR and LAT lambs. Therefore, CON lambs produced leaner carcasses compared to EAR and LAT lambs. Castration status had no effect on meat Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF), consumer sensory analysis nor colour. For proximate composition, CON lambs had higher moisture compared to LAT lambs while LAT had higher dry matter compared to CON lambs. Both, EAR and LAT lamb’s meat had higher organic matter compared to CON lamb’s meat, but these differences were negligible. For IMF in the longissimus thoracic et lumborum muscle, CON lambs’ meat had higher total PUFA, α-linolenic acid, total PUFA n-6, linoleic acid, PUFA:SFA ratio and PUFA:MUFA ratio than meat from both EAR and LAT lambs. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and total PUFA n-3 were both higher for meat from CON lambs than LAT lamb’s meat, while palmitic acid and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) were higher for EAR lamb’s meat than CON lamb’s meat and EAR lambs than LAT lamb’s meat, respectively. For SCF, CON lambs had higher heptadecenoic acid and linolelaidic acid than LAT lambs. The calculated atherogenicity index (AI) of SCF was higher for LAT lambs compared to CON lambs. Limited effects of castration age on the possible health benefits of SAMM lamb meat were proven in the current study. It is however suggested that for a higher production response and carcass muscle content, to either keep SAMM rams intact or at least postpone castration for as long as possible.

A Study on the Effect of Housing on Haematological Parameters of Nellore Lambs

A study was carried out to find out the effect of housing on haematological parameters of Nellore Jodipi lambs. Thirty weaned Nellore ram lambs of 3-4 months age were divided into three groups of ten each. The lambs in Group-I were housed with morum flooring and asbestos roofing with tree shade, while Group-II lambs were housed with morum flooring and asbestos roofing without tree shade and Group-III lambs were housed with elevated slatted flooring and galvalume roofing without tree shade. Temperature and humidity values were significantly (P&lt;0.05) different among all the groups. Lower mean maximum temperature (°C) values were observed in group III (35.53±0.28) when compared to group I (36.22±0.27) and II (37.29±0.25) and the lower average maximum relative humidity (%) was 69.59±2.92 in group III followed by group II (69.88±2.94) and I (70.65±2.96). The mean haematological parameters like RBC, WBC, Hb, PCV were significantly (P&lt;0.05) lower in group III (8.22±1.00×106/μl, 6.99±1.00×103/μl, 10.22±0.08 g/dl, 28.23±1.00 %) when compared to group I (9.66±1.00×106/μl, 9.01±1.00×103/μl, 10.85±0.08 g/dl, 31.27±1.00 %) and II (11.96±1.00×106/μl, 11.73±1.00×103/μl, 13.64±1.00 g/dl, 37.27±1.00%), respectively, whereas, other parameters like MCH, MCV, MCHC are significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher in group III (11.52±1.00 pg, 34.92±1.00 fl, 36.57±1.00 g/dl) when compared to group I (10.23±1.00 pg, 31.85±1.00 fl, 34.02±1.00 g/dl) and II (8.92±1.00 pg, 28.05±1.00 fl, 32.15±1.00 g/dl), respectively. It was concluded that the housing system of elevated slatted flooring with galvalume roofing proved to be effective in controlling heat stress and maintaining normal hematological parameters for better growth performance of Nellore ram lambs..

A Study on the Effect of Housing on Growth Performance of Nellore Lambs

A study was carried out to find out the effect of housing on growth performance of Nellore Jodipi lambs under tropical environmental conditions. Thirty weaned Nellore ram lambs of 3-4 months age were selected based on body weight (average initial body weight) and randomly divided into three groups of ten animals each. The lambs in Group-I were housed with morum flooring and asbestos roofing with tree shade, while Group-II lambs were housed with morum flooring and asbestos roofing without tree shade and Group-III lambs were housed with elevated slatted flooring and galvalume roofing without tree shade. Temperature and humidity values were significantly (P&lt;0.05) different among all the groups. Lower mean maximum temperature (°C) values were observed in group III (35.53±0.28) when compared to group I (36.22±0.27) and II (37.29±0.25) and the lower average maximum relative humidity (%) was 69.59±2.92 in group III followed by group II (69.88±2.94) and I (70.65±2.96). The average body weight of lambs after 120 days in group I, II and III was 19.92±0.52, 18.89±0.32 and 22.26±0.44 kg, respectively. The mean ADG of Nellore lambs at different weekly intervals was 31.0±1.00, 23.0±1.00 and 49.0±1.00 g in group I, II and III, respectively. Significant (P&lt;0.05) differences were observed in body weights and ADG among the three groups. It was concluded that the housing system of elevated slatted flooring with galvalume roofing proved to be effective in controlling heat stress and maintaining normal physiological responses for better growth performance of Nellore ram lambs.

Foot lesions and forelimb skin abrasions in suckling piglets: development and risk factors

BackgroundFoot lesions in suckling piglets have been associated with poor flooring in several studies and were recently proposed to be indicative of swine inflammatory and necrosis syndrome. However, identical findings are also the typical outcome of various non-infectious causes; thus, further risk analysis is needed. The objective of this study was to describe the development of heel bruising, coronary band lesions and forelimb skin abrasion in suckling pigs up to 5 days of age. Furthermore, the effects of various intrinsic and extrinsic factors were examined. On each of four commercial piglet-producing farms, piglets from two or three batches of eight sows were studied. The piglets were included within 18 h after birth. Each piglet was individually scored four times. The score for the heels differentiated six (0–5) and for the coronary band and forelimb skin abrasion three stages (0–2). The body weight was measured two times. The effect of the floor was estimated by allocating the sows randomly to farrowing pens equipped with either soft rubber mats covered with litter or fully slatted plastic floors.ResultsThe final analysis comprised data from 1045 piglets. Foot lesions were not found at birth but started to develop on day 1. On day 5, heel bruising was found in 94%, main claw coronary band lesions in 49% and forelimb skin abrasion in 73% of the piglets. In a multifactorial logistic regression analysis, it was shown that a slatted plastic floor significantly increased the odds of heel bruising and coronary band lesions, while a rubber floor with litter increased the odds of forelimb skin abrasions.ConclusionFoot and forelimb lesions in new-born piglets are mainly induced by the floor. The effect of slatted plastic floors on heel bruising showed an overwhelming OR of 52.89 (CI 26.29–106.43). Notably, coronary band lesions in young suckling piglets occur on slatted as well as non-slatted floors, indicating that the piglets incur these injuries not only from the wedging of their feet into the gaps between slats but also from contact with the floor while suckling. Based on these findings, preventive measures should be redirected to the improvement of the floor in the farrowing pen, particularly in the area under the sow’s udder.