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Short Communication: effect of positive handling of sows on litter performance and pre-weaning piglet mortality

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 March 2020

D. De Meyer ,
A. Amalraj Open the ORCID record for A. Amalraj [Opens in a new window] ,
T. Van Limbergen Open the ORCID record for T. Van Limbergen [Opens in a new window] ,
M. Fockedey ,
S. Edwards Open the ORCID record for S. Edwards [Opens in a new window] ,
V. A. Moustsen Open the ORCID record for V. A. Moustsen [Opens in a new window] ,
I. Chantziaras Open the ORCID record for I. Chantziaras [Opens in a new window]  and
D. Maes Open the ORCID record for D. Maes [Opens in a new window]
D. De Meyer
Affiliation:
Vedanko BVBA, Keukelstraat 66a, 8750Wingene, Belgium
A. Amalraj*
Affiliation:
Unit of Porcine Health Management, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820Merelbeke, Belgium
T. Van Limbergen
Affiliation:
Unit of Porcine Health Management, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820Merelbeke, Belgium
M. Fockedey
Affiliation:
Vedanko BVBA, Keukelstraat 66a, 8750Wingene, Belgium
S. Edwards
Affiliation:
Agriculture, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon TyneNE1 7RU, UK
V. A. Moustsen
Affiliation:
SEGES Danish Pig Research Centre, Agro Food Park 15, DK 8620Aarhus N, Denmark
I. Chantziaras
Affiliation:
Unit of Porcine Health Management, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820Merelbeke, Belgium Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, B. Van Gansberghelaan 92, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium
D. Maes
Affiliation:
Unit of Porcine Health Management, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820Merelbeke, Belgium
*
†E-mail: Arthi.Amalraj@Ugent.be
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Abstract

Fear and environmental stressors may negatively affect the welfare of farm animals such as pigs. The present study investigated the effects of music and positive handling on reproductive performance of sows (n = 1014; parity 1 to 8) from a commercial pig farm practicing a batch farrowing system. Every 2 weeks, 56 sows were moved from the gestation unit to conventional-crated farrowing houses 1 week prior to expected farrowing. Treated (T; n = 299) and control (C; n = 715) sows were included in the study. In the farrowing houses, auditory enrichment (music from a radio) was provided to sows of T groups daily from 0600 to 1800 h until the end of lactation. Until the day of farrowing, T sows were additionally subjected, for 15 s per day per sow, to continuous back scratching by one member of farm staff. Litter performance and piglet mortality were recorded and analysed between T and C sows using linear mixed regression models. The number of liveborn piglets (C 13.85 v. T 13.26) and liveborn corrected for fostering (C 13.85 v. T 13.43) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in C groups compared to the T groups. The number of stillborn piglets was 0.60 and 0.72 in T and C groups, respectively (P > 0.05). With regard to piglet mortality, a linear mixed regression model showed a significant overall effect of treatment in reducing piglet mortality (P < 0.01). Yet, the effect of treatment varied according to litter size (number of liveborn piglets) with a diminishing treatment effect in sows with a high litter size (P < 0.01). Pre-weaning survival was improved in the current study by the combined effect of daily back scratching of sows prior to farrowing and providing music to sows and piglets during lactation. Further research is needed to assess the separate effects of both interventions.

Keywords

back scratchingmusicpre-weaning piglet survivalsow welfareenvironmental enrichment
Type
Short Communication
Information
animal , Volume 14 , Issue 8 , August 2020 , pp. 1733 - 1739
Copyright
© The Animal Consortium 2020

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