|
KMID : 1025520030450061067
|
|
Journal of Animal Science and Technology
2003 Volume.45 No. 6 p.1067 ~ p.1078
|
|
|
Effects of Gestation Housing and Parity on the Farrowing Performance and Behaviour of Sows during the Pregnancy, Farrowing and Lactation
|
|
|
|
|
Abstract
|
|
|
This study was designed to determine the effect of gestation housing and parity on the farrowing performance and behaviour of sows during pregnancy, farrowing and lactation periods.
Total 18 Duroc sows were randomly assigned after 4 weeks of gestation to either individual gestation stall or a groups of three with pen gestation system for three parities(1st, 2nd ~ 3re, and 4th ~ 5th). Approx-imately 7 days before predicted farrowing date, sows were transferred to farrowing crates where they remained until 21 days post-partum.
Behaviour was recorded on day 60 and 90 pergnancy for 24 hours, on day of farrowing for farrowing duration and on day 10 of lactation for 2.5 hours in the farrowing crate.
The results obtained from this study were summarized as follows ：
On 60 and 90 day of pregnancy, all sows in both groups made attempts for ventral lying more than for other postures. Sows in the group gestation pen spent more time on walking than those in individual gestation stall(p＜0.01)； however, the group housed sows were spent less time on drinking that the individually housed sows(p＜0.01)).
There was no significant differences between gestation housings in the occurrence of stereotypy of pregnant sows. On day 60 of pregnancy, sows in the individual gestation stall showed the highest frequency of vacuum chewing and bead weaving. However, floor licking and bar licking behaviours were highest in day 90 pregnatn sows individually housed.
The sows individually housed during the gestation period spent more time on sitting and eating an the day of farrowing in the farrowing crate than the sows group housed.
On day 10 of lactation in the farrowing crate, the group housed sows during the gestation period made significantly more attempts for ventral lying than sows individually housed.
In conclusion, the occurrence of stereotypy of sows during the gestation and lactation did not differ between gestation housings and farrowing performance of sows during the gestation period was not affected by gestation housing. Thus, the group housing for pregnant sows is a feasible menas to improve welfare of sows and to increase the normal behaviour of sows.
|
|
|
KEYWORD
|
|
|
|
|
|
FullTexts / Linksout information
|
|
|
|
|
|
Listed journal information
|
|
|
|
|