The effect of farrowing house temperature on piglet behaviour and creep use

1987 ◽  
Vol 1987 ◽  
pp. 64-64
Author(s):  
J. Barber ◽  
R.A. Bourne
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Temperature ◽  
Economic Loss ◽  
Newborn Piglets ◽  
Safe Area ◽  
Underlying Causes ◽  
Piglet Mortality ◽  
Piglet Survival ◽  
Considerable Economic Loss

Piglet mortality between birth and weaning represents a considerable economic loss to the national pig herd. Despite general reductions in pre-weaning losses, mortality figures from the better producers would suggest that improvement is possible. In attempting to reduce piglet losses it is important to establish when the deaths occur and their underlying causes. Together, starvation and overlying has been reported to account for 75% of all pre-weaning losses. Furthermore, chilling predisposes newborn piglets to starvation, overlying and disease, (Curtis, 1974). Piglets require a much greater environmental temperature than the farrowing sow, and therefore heated creep areas are provided to satisfy their needs. In addition the creep offers a safe area away from the danger of overlying by the sow. The greater the time piglets spend in the creep areas, the lower is the likelihood of them being chilled or overlain. Most studies show that 50% of pre-weaning mortalities occur during the first two days after farrowing, (Pomeroy, 1960 and English et al., 1977), therefore use of the creep during this period would seem important to piglet survival. This study provides information on piglet behaviour during the first week of life in relation to farrowing pen temperature and two designs of creep.

Assessment of hypothermia in outdoor newborn piglets and comparison with an indoor system

2000 ◽  
Vol 2000 ◽  
pp. 139-139
Author(s):  
G.R. Riart ◽  
S.A. Edwards ◽  
P.R. English
Keyword(s):  
Pig Production ◽  
New Born ◽  
Newborn Piglets ◽  
Underlying Causes ◽  
Piglet Mortality

In the last few years, there has been an increase in outdoor pig production in many countries. Outdoor herds, on average, are still less productive than indoor herds, often due to higher pre-weaning piglet mortality. Hypothermia is one of the most important underlying causes of piglet mortality in early post-natal life (English and Morrison, 1984). Although the extent of hypothermia suffered by the new-born piglet in an indoor system has been demonstrated (Pattison et al, 1990), no data of this kind are available regarding the outdoor situation. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the extent of hypothermia suffered by outdoor piglets at 30 and 60 minutes after birth, and to compare this with piglets born indoors.

scholarly journals Optimal feed level during the transition period to achieve faster farrowing and high colostrum yield in sows

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Takele Feyera ◽  
Sigrid J W Skovmose ◽  
Signe E Nielsen ◽  
Darya Vodolazska ◽  
Thomas S Bruun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Transition Period ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Newborn Piglets ◽  
Blood Biochemical ◽  
Lysine Concentration ◽  
Optimal Feed ◽  
Piglet Mortality ◽  
Birth Time

Abstract This study aimed to determine the optimal supply of lactation feed during the transition period to minimize farrowing duration (FD) and maximize colostrum yield (CY) and quality with the overall aim of reducing piglet mortality. A total of 48 sows were stratified for body weight and assigned to six levels of feed supply (1.8, 2.4, 3.1, 3.7, 4.3, and 5.0 kg/d) from day 108 of gestation until 24 h after the onset of farrowing. The number of total born, live-born, and stillborn piglets; birth time and birth weight of each piglet; and frequency of farrowing assistance (FA) was recorded, and blood samples were obtained from newborn piglets at birth. Live-born piglets were further weighed at 12 and 24 h after birth to record weight gain, which in turn was used to estimate intake and yield of colostrum. Colostrum samples were collected at 0, 12, 24, and 36 h after the onset of farrowing. FD was shortest (4.2 h) at intermediate (3.7 kg/d), longest (7.1 to 7.6 h) at low (1.8 and 2.4 kg/d), and intermediate (5.6 to 5.7 h) at high (4.3 and 5.0 kg/d) feed intake (P = 0.004; mean comparison). FA was lowest (0.7% to 0.8%) at intermediate feed intake (3.7 and 4.3 kg/d) and substantially elevated (4.3% to 4.7%) at both lower and higher feed intake (P = 0.01; mean comparison). The cubic contrast revealed 4.1 kg/d as the optimal feed intake to achieve the shortest FD and to minimize FA. Newborn piglets from second-parity sows were less vital than piglets from gilts as evaluated by blood biochemical variables immediately after birth. CY was greatest at 3.1 kg/d (P = 0.04), whereas the cubic contrast revealed 3.0 kg/d as the optimal feed intake to maximize CY. Concentrations of colostral components were affected by the diet, parity, and their interaction except for lactose concentrations. In conclusion, the study demonstrated the importance of proper feed level during the transition period on sow productivity. Moreover, this study estimated 4.1 and 3.0 kg/d as the optimal feed intake during the transition period to improve farrowing characteristic and CY, respectively, and these two feed intake levels supplied daily 38.8 MJ metabolizable energy (ME) and 23.9 g standardized ileal digestible (SID) lysine (3.0 kg/d) or 53.0 MJ ME and 32.7 g SID lysine (4.1 kg/d). The discrepancy of optimal feed intake for optimal farrowing and colostrum performance suggests that it may be advantageous to lower dietary lysine concentration in the diet fed prepartum.

scholarly journals Natural Hazards – Nonlinearities and Assessment

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 2
Author(s):  
Gerassimos A. Papadopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Natural Hazards ◽  
Emergency Response ◽  
Rapid Assessment ◽  
Economic Loss ◽  
Loss Of Life ◽  
The People ◽  
Reliable Assessment ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Underlying Causes ◽  
And Control

Geosciences are developing and applying a wide range of methodologies to assess natural hazards. Significant advances in the site characterization and models development have been achieved in the last decade, but many challenges still remain. Several disastrous earthquakes in the past decade accompanied with tsunamis have required a rapid assessment of the underlying causes of the tragic loss of life and property. Natural disasters risk reduction and control as a crucial criterion for sustainable development and minimizing social and economic loss and disruption due to earthquakes, tsunamis and other hazards requires reliable assessment of the seismic and tsunami hazard, as well as mitigation actions of the vulnerability of the built environment and risk. All of these provide the critical basis for improved building codes and construction emergency response plans for the people and infrastructure safety and protection.

scholarly journals Impact of Non-Confinement Accommodation on Farrowing Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Farrowing Crates Versus Pens

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 957 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dannielle Glencorse ◽  
Kate Plush ◽  
Susan Hazel ◽  
Darryl D’Souza ◽  
Michelle Hebart
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Relative Risk ◽  
Web Of Science ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Literature Searches ◽  
Piglet Mortality ◽  
Partial Confinement ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Piglet Survival

There are conflicting reports regarding the effect of farrowing house accommodation on piglet performance. The aim of this investigation was to use a systematic review and meta-analyses to summarise the results of publications that focused on direct comparisons between full confinement conventional crates and various designs of loose-housed farrowing pens from loading until weaning. Literature searches in Scopus, BIOSIS Previews, Cab Abstracts, and Web of Science identified 6695 articles. Twenty-two publications were retained for the systematic review and individual meta-analyses after screening for inclusion criteria. The random effects meta-analyses were performed on crate versus pen for number of piglets born alive, number of stillborn piglets, pre-weaning mortality, and number of piglets weaned. Additionally, the modifiers of confinement length (no confinement from loading until weaning or partial confinement for shorter periods of time in the early stages post parturition), enrichment (no enrichment or enrichment provided), and pen size (small, medium, or large) were examined. There was a 14% increase in the relative risk of piglet mortality in farrowing pens when they were compared with crates (p = 0.0015). The number of stillborns per litter was not different between the pen and crate. However, when providing enrichment in the pens, there was an increase in stillborns within farrowing crates versus pens (p = 0.009). There was no overall effect on piglets that were born alive or number weaned. As there is no difference between piglets born alive and mortality is significantly higher in farrowing pens, a reduction in the number of piglets weaned was expected but not observed, which was possibly due to the lack of weaning details provided in the publications. This was the first systematic review and meta-analysis conducted on the performance of farrowing accommodation and identified that farrowing pens do compromise post-natal piglet survival. Future efforts should focus on improving sow comfort in the farrowing crate to maximize both piglet and sow welfare.

A comparison of performance and behaviour of Meishan crossbred sows and piglets in crate and multisuckling systems

1995 ◽  
Vol 1995 ◽  
pp. 194-194
Author(s):  
W. Wattanakul ◽  
A H Stewart ◽  
S A Edwards ◽  
P R English ◽  
A Marr
Keyword(s):  
Social Environment ◽  
Commercial Production ◽  
Newborn Piglets ◽  
The Social ◽  
Leg Weakness ◽  
Piglet Mortality

The farrowing crate has been designed to prevent crushing of newborn piglets but restricts sow movement throughout lactation with the result of sow problems such as stereotypies and leg weakness. To improve the sows' and piglets' welfare and meet the requirements of commercial production, the combination of individual farrowing crates, to control the piglet mortality in the first stage, with group housed multisuckling systems to restore the social environment of the sow have been investigated (Petchy, Dodsworth and English, 1978; Bryant, Rowlinson and Steen, 1983; Andersson and Andreasson, 1992; Sinclair, 1993). The change of environment can, however, lead to problems of the sows fighting on the day of mixing and possible increase in piglet mortality by crushing (Andersson and Andreasson, 1992, Sinclair, 1993). The use of a multisuckling system with Meishan crossbreds may utilise the benefits of docile temperament, enhance pig welfare and meet the economic requirements of commercial production.

Listeriosis

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. McLauchlin
Keyword(s):  
Western Europe ◽  
Economic Loss ◽  
Domestic Animals ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Dietary Advice ◽  
Food Borne ◽  
Route Of Transmission ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Considerable Economic Loss

Listeriosis occurs in a variety of animals including humans, and most often affects the pregnant uterus, the central nervous system (CNS) or the bloodstream. During pregnancy, infection spreads to the foetus, which will either be born severely ill or die in-utero. In non-pregnant animals, listeriosis usually presents as meningitis, encephalitis. In humans, infection most often occurs in the immunocompromised and elderly, and to a lesser extent the pregnant woman, the unborn, or the newly delivered infant. Infection can be treated successfully with antibiotics, however 20–40% of human cases are fatal..In domestic animals (especially in sheep and goats) listeriosis usually presents as encephalitis, abortion, or septicaemia, and is a cause of considerable economic loss.The genus Listeria comprises six species of Gram-positive bacteria. Almost all cases of listeriosis are due to Listeria monocytogenes although up to 10% of cases in sheep are due to Listeria ivanovii.Listeriae are ubiquitous in the environment worldwide, especially in sites with decaying organic vegetable material. Many animals carry the organism in the faeces without serious infection. The consumption of contaminated food or feed is the principal route of transmission for both humans and animals, however other means of transmission occur.Human listeriosis is rare (<1 to > 10 cases per million people in North America and Western Europe), but because of the high mortality rate, it is amongst the most important causes of death from food-borne infections in industrialized countries. In the UK, human listeriosis is the biggest single cause of death from a preventable food-borne disease. Listeriosis in domestic animals is a cause of considerable economic loss. Control measures should be directed towards both to exclude Listeria from food or feed as well as inhibiting its multiplication and survival. Silage which is spoiled or mouldy should not be used, and care should be taken to maintain anaerobic conditions for as long as possible.Dietary advice is available for disease prevention, particularly targeted at ‘at risk’ individuals to modify their diet to avoid eating specific foods such as soft cheese and pâté.

scholarly journals 56 Observations on pre-weaning piglet mortality

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 32-33
Author(s):  
Michael Ellis ◽  
Katherine D Vande Pol ◽  
Naomi Cooper ◽  
Caleb M Shull
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Genetic Selection ◽  
Total Mortality ◽  
Economic Loss ◽  
Average Birth Weight ◽  
Feeding Programs ◽  
The People ◽  
Piglet Mortality

Abstract Pre-weaning piglet mortality (PWM) is a substantial economic loss and a welfare concern. It is not a new issue; however, there is evidence that levels are increasing in US herds. Genetic improvements in prolificacy have been accompanied with lower average piglet birth weights, increased within-litter variation in birth weight, and an increasing proportion of low birth weight piglets. Low birth weight is a major pre-disposing factor for PWM. In a survey involving over 11,000 piglets (average birth weight 1.44 ± 0.390 kg), PWM for piglets weighing 1.5 kg was 44, 15, and 8%, respectively. However, the percentage of total mortality from these 3 weight groupings was 35, 42, and 23%, respectively. This suggests that efforts to reduce PWM should mainly focus on lightest 50% of piglets in a population. The major causes and timing of PWM have not changed over time. Crushing and starvation are predominant; the majority of losses occur in the first few days after birth. A substantial proportion of dead piglets have empty stomachs. Pre-weaning mortality is multifactorial in origin; reducing levels requires attention to all factors, starting with farrowing accommodation design and basic facility hygiene programs. Minimizing piglet body temperature decline after birth, and encouraging early colostrum and milk intake are critical. Strategies to reduce competition between piglets for access to the udder and/or supplementary feeding programs are important. Cross-fostering is central to maximizing piglet survival; however, there is a dearth of research-based information to use to design the optimum strategy. The potential influence of gestation nutrition on PWM requires clarification. Pre-weaning mortality is strongly influenced by the people managing the farrowing facilities; developing approaches for early identification of at risk pigs would have benefit. Ultimately, minimizing PWM requires systems-based approaches involving all components from genetic selection for survival through to facility and animal management practices.

INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL TEMPERATURE DURING LATE GESTATION AND SOON AFTER BIRTH ON IgG ABSORPTION BY NEWBORN PIGLETS

1985 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. A. BATE ◽  
R. R. HACKER
Keyword(s):  
Serum Concentration ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Immunoglobulin G ◽  
Environmental Temperature ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Serum Cortisol ◽  
Newborn Piglet ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
Newborn Piglets

The possibility that environmental temperature, in late gestation or soon after birth, can modify the ability of the newborn piglet to absorb immunoglobulin G (IgG) was studied. Fifteen pregnant Yorkshire sows were exposed to either 5 or 18 °C from day 104 postbreeding until 6 h postpartum, at which time they were moved to a normal 18 °C farrowing room. All sows were bled to determine serum concentration of cortisol. At birth, the piglets were assigned to either a 14 or 35 °C environment for 6 h. The piglets were force-fed bovine colostrum four times during the first 6 h of life and bled nine times between birth and day 21 to determine the concentrations of serum porcine and bovine IgG. The concentration of serum cortisol, in the sows subjected to the 5 °C environment, increased in response to treatment. Cortisol concentrations remained elevated until the sows returned to the 18 °C environment. Piglets from sows maintained at 5 °C had marginally higher concentrations of serum bovine IgG than piglets from control sows. Exposure of piglets to 14 °C at birth reduced absorption of IgG; however, they continued to absorb IgG after they were moved to a thermoneutral environment. By 21 days, only those piglets from sows exposed to 5 °C showed a significant productionof IgG. Piglets from sows exposed to 5 °C and maintained at 35 °C after birth had the highest serum concentration of IgG. These results indicate that environmental temperature during late pregnancy can modify IgG absorption by newborn piglets. Key words: Immunoglobulins, colostrum, absorption, Cortisol, piglet

scholarly journals The Effect of Exogenous Melatonin on Milk Somatic Cell Count in Buffalo

2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (01) ◽  
pp. 152-155
Author(s):  
Lin Feng
Keyword(s):  
Superoxide Dismutase ◽  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Somatic Cell Count ◽  
Environmental Temperature ◽  
Antioxidant Activities ◽  
Economic Loss ◽  
Somatic Cell Counts ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Quality Of Milk

High somatic cell counts (SCCs) in milk significantly influence the quality of milk and give rise to substantial economic loss. The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of extreme heat and cold compared to other season and melatonin (MLT) on milk SCCs in Chinese crossbred (Nili-Ravi×Murrah) buffaloes. We collected the 1948 milk SCCs data records from 2012 to 2017 to explore the effect of different month in China on milk SCCs. Meanwhile, twenty buffaloes with relatively high milk SCCs were employed and randomly divided into two groups (T1 and T2, n=10 each group) to evaluate the effect of MLT treatment on milk SCCs, blood antioxidant activities and immune levels of buffaloes during summer in China. Results showed that the milk SCCs in high temperature seasons (July and August) and low temperature seasons (December, January and February) were significantly higher compared with other months (P<0.05). In summer, MLT treatment significantly reduced milk SCCs and increased the IgM and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels in plasma on day 1 after MLT treatment, and then both IgM and SOD levels were decreased significantly. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that environmental temperature stress (heat and cold) caused the higher milk SCCs and MLT treatment improved the quality of milk by reducing SCCs suggesting that MLT could improve immune activity in buffaloes

scholarly journals Cold Tolerance and Population Dynamics of Leptoglossus zonatus (Hemiptera: Coreidae)

Insects ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 351 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristen E. Tollerup
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Economic Loss ◽  
San Joaquin Valley ◽  
Destructive Sampling ◽  
Fresno County ◽  
Winter Temperatures ◽  
Early Fall ◽  
Aggregation Size ◽  
Considerable Economic Loss

In California’s San Joaquin Valley, feeding by the coreid pest, Leptoglossus zonatus, can cause considerable economic loss on almond and pistachio. This research was conducted to improve understanding of how winter temperatures affect mortality of overwintering adult L. zonatus and to develop a better understanding of the role pomegranate plays in the species’ life-history. We exposed 7410 field-collected adult L. zonatus to temperatures between −2 and −10 °C for a period of three, four, or six hours using insect incubators. At six hours of exposure, the, LD50 and LD95 occur at −5.8 and −9.7 °C, respectively. We classified L. zonatus as chill-intolerant. Temperatures cold enough to affect substantial mortality of overwintering L. zonatus rarely occur in the San Joaquin Valley. Whole aggregation destructive sampling from a pomegranate hedgerow in Fresno County was conducted to determine population dynamics. At late summer to early fall, aggregations consisted of >90% immature stages. By early to mid-winter, mean aggregation size decreased, consisting of only three to 12 late-instars and adults. During years one and two of the experiment, L. zonatus produced a generation on pomegranate, mostly between September and mid-November. Overwintering did not occur on pomegranate, rather the majority of adults emigrated to other overwintering locations by mid-winter.

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