scholarly journals The welfare and productivity of sows and piglets in group lactation from 7, 10, or 14 d postpartum

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Verdon ◽  
Rebecca S Morrison ◽  
Jean-Loup Rault
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Plasma Cortisol ◽  
Initial Period ◽  
Commercial Production ◽  
Weight Changes ◽  
Two Stage ◽  
Production Group ◽  
Piglet Mortality

Abstract Transferring sows and their litters to group lactation (GL) after an initial period of farrowing crate (FC) housing could enhance the viability of GL for commercial production. Group lactation from 7 d postpartum would reduce the time sows spend in confinement, but the effects of early mixing on animal welfare and productivity require examination. Two experiments were conducted on sows and piglets kept in GL from 7, 10, or 14 d postpartum, compared with FC. Experiment 1 utilized 180 sows and 1,887 piglets over five time replicates (n = 60 sow and litter units per treatment) comparing GL from 7 or 14 d postpartum to FC. In experiment 2, 108 sows and 1,179 piglets were studied over three time replicates (n = 36 sow and litter units per treatment) comparing GL from 10 or 14 d postpartum to FC. All sows farrowed in FC. Group lactation sows were transferred to pens (one pen of five sows at 8.4 m2/sow and one pen of seven sows at 8.1 m2/sow, per GL treatment and replicate) with their litters at 7 (GL7), 10 (GL10), or 14 (GL14) d postpartum. Farrowing crate sows and their litters remained in their FC. Data were collected on sow feed intake and reproduction, piglet mortality (from day 6 postpartum), and sow and piglet weight changes, plasma cortisol concentrations, and injuries. Piglet mortality was greater in the GL7 (17 ± 1.8%) and GL10 treatments (12 ± 0.9%) compared with GL14 (8.3 ± 1.8% P ≤ 0.001 and 8.1 ± 0.9% P ≤ 0.001 in experiments 1 and 2), and greater in GL overall compared with FC (2.7 ± 1.5% and 1.8 ± 0.9% in FC in experiments 1 and 2; P ≤ 0.001). Piglets from GL7 were also lighter at weaning than GL14 piglets (P < 0.001), whereas GL10 and GL14 did not differ (P > 0.05). Overall, piglets in GL were lighter at weaning than piglets in FC (P ≤ 0.01). Sows from GL7 were heavier at weaning (P = 0.001), and GL10 sows tended to be heavier at weaning (P = 0.08), than GL14 and FC sows. Post-mixing, sow cortisol (P ≤ 0.01) and sow and piglet injuries (P ≤ 0.02) were greater in GL than FC. Treatment had no effect on sow feed intake or reproductive performance (P > 0.05). Under the conditions of this research, the known benefits of two-stage GL housing were achieved at a cost particularly to piglets in terms of increased piglet mortality and injuries after mixing, and reduced piglet growth. The risk of piglet mortality decreased with older age at mixing.

scholarly journals Effect of rebreeding interval on reproductive performance and body weight changes of does during pregnancy

2021 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 142-152
Author(s):  
G. T. Iyeghe-Erakpotobor ◽  
E. O. Oyedipe ◽  
L. O. Eduvie ◽  
D. Ogwu
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
The Other ◽  
Weight Changes ◽  
Body Weight Changes ◽  
Tropical Conditions ◽  
Size At Birth

The effect of rebreeding interval on the reproductive performance and body weight changes of does during pregnancy was investigated using 24 multiparous crossbred (New Zealand White X California) does. The does were placed on three treatments comprising mating at 14, 21 and 28 days postpartum. The docs were served 250g-concentrate meal (23% CP und 2600 kcal ME/kg) daily, while water was given ad libitum. Parameters monitored were doe willingness to mate, doe weights during pregnancy, feed intake, pregnancy rate, litter size and weight at birth, alive at birth and up to 21 days postpartum and stillbirth rate. Kits were weaned at 4 weeks of age. Results obtained showed that does mated 14 days postpartum lost more weight in the second week of pregnancy than the other groups. Rebreeding interval did not significantly (P>0.05) affect doe weight gain in the 19, 3" and 4th weeks of pregnancy. Does mated 14-d postpartum had significantly (P<0.05) higher feed intake during the l", 2nd and 3rd weeks of pregnancy. Feed:guin ratio was higher for does mated 21 d postpartum than for other treatments. Pregnancy rate was higher in the 14-d group and lowest in the 28-d group. Willingness to mate also decreased with increasing rebreeding interval. Litter size at birth, number of kits alive at birth and up to 28 days postpartum were not affected (P>0.05) by rebreeding interval as was the case for litter birth weight and percent stillbirths. Does mated 14 days postpartum however, had numerically more kits alive at birth and up to 28 days postpartum than the other groups. Litter weights were slightly higher for does mated 14 and 21 days postpartum than 28 days. It is concluded from this study that mating does 14 days postpartum under tropical conditions could increase the number of kits weaned per doe and hence increase profitability of the rabbit production enterprise. 

scholarly journals Effect of flushing on reproductive performance of rabbits.

2021 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 134-141
Author(s):  
G. T. Iyeghe-Erakpotobor
Keyword(s):  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Protein Level ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Weight Changes ◽  
Protein Requirement ◽  
Size At Birth

Twenty eight (28) multiparous crossbred does were placed on four diets consisting of 16, 18, 20 and 24% CP for two weeks before mating and one week after mating to evaluate the effect of flushing on the reproductive performance of rabbits. The does were placed on 16% CP diet during pregnancy and 18% CP diet during lactation  Results obtained showed similar (P>0.05) weight changes and feed intake for all the groups though does fed the 16% CP diet lost weight. Does flushed with 18, 20 and 24% CP had slightly larger litter size at birth while 18% and 20% CP flushed does had slightly larger litter size alive at birth than 16 and 24% CP does. Litter size at 21 days postpartum was significantly (P<0.05) higher for does flushed with 20 and 24% CP than those flushed with 16 and 18% CP. Litter weights were significantly (p<0.05) higher for 20% and 24% CP flushed than 16 and 18% CP flushed does at 7 , 14- and 21-day postpartum. Stillbirths increased with increase in protein level up to 20% CP level before decreasing slightly ar 24% CP. Kit mortality rates at 0-7, 7-14 and 14-21 days postpartum were similar (P>0.05) but numerically lower for 20 and 24% CP flushed does. Total kit mortality rale (0-21 days postpurtum) was significantly (P<0.05) higher for does flushed with 16 and 18% CP diets. It is concluded from this study, that flushing multiparous does with 20 and 24% CP diets gave better reproductive performance than with 16 and 18% CP diets. Feeding 16% CP diel to does during pregnancy does not appear to meet their protein requirement for gestation 

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 Effects on Synchronization and Reproductive Efficiency of Delaying the Removal of the Intravaginal Progesterone Device by 24 h in the 5d Co-synch Protocol in Heifers

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 849
Author(s):  
Aitor Fernandez-Novo ◽  
Sergio Santos-Lopez ◽  
Jose Luis Pesantez-Pacheco ◽  
Natividad Pérez-Villalobos ◽  
Ana Heras-Molina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Artificial Insemination ◽  
Fixed Time ◽  
Reproductive Efficiency ◽  
Beef Heifers ◽  
Animal Management ◽  
Commercial Farms ◽  
Beef Herds ◽  
Farm Economics

In beef herds, increasing animal welfare, improving reproductive performance and easing animal management are key goals in farm economics. We explored whether delaying the removal of the intravaginal progesterone device by 24 h in heifers synchronized with a 5d Co-synch 72-h protocol could improve reproductive efficiency of fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI). In experiment 1, we examined the total synchronization rate (TSR) in cycling Holstein heifers. Heifers (13.4 ± 0.69 mo.) were randomly assigned to the standard 5d Co-synch 56-h protocol (5dCo56; n = 10), 5d Co-synch 72-h (5dCo72; n = 17), or the modified 5d Co-synch 72-h protocol, in which removal of the progesterone device was delayed by 24 h (6dCo48; n = 19). In experiment 2, 309 cycling beef heifers on 18 commercial farms were subjected to the 5d Co-synch 72-h or 6-d Co-synch 48-h protocol and conception rate (CR) studied. In experiment 1, the three protocols led no differences on TSRs of 80.0% (5dCo56), 88.2% (5dCo72), and 89.5% (6dCo48). In experiment 2, the CR from the beef heifers, observed during two consecutive reproductive seasons did not differ: 59.7% for 5dCo72 and 62.0% for 6dCo48 (p = 0.907). Therefore, delaying removal by 24 h provides satisfactory results without reducing reproductive efficiency of heifers.

scholarly journals Dietary nano-chromium tripicolinate increases feed intake and decreases plasma cortisol in finisher gilts during summer

2014 ◽  
Vol 46 (8) ◽  
pp. 1483-1489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Tsungyu Hung ◽  
Brian Joseph Leury ◽  
Matthew Allen Sabin ◽  
Cherie Louise Collins ◽  
Frank Rowland Dunshea
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Plasma Cortisol ◽  
Chromium Tripicolinate

Growth performance and nutrient digestibility of Wistar albino rats fed processed dehulled jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis)

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 104-111
Author(s):  
O. A. Abu ◽  
O. H. Amusa ◽  
R. O. Atoyebi ◽  
R. A. Kehinde ◽  
F. C. Nworgu
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Albino Rats ◽  
Weight Changes ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Body Weight Changes ◽  
Final Body Weight ◽  
Jack Bean

A total of fifty 3-4 weeks old albino rats of the Wistar strain weighing 50-60g were randomly allocated to five dietary treatments in a completely randomized block design to investigate the growth performance and nutrient digestibility of the rats fed diets containing processed dehulled jack bean. Five diets were formulated to contain casein (T1)-control diet, dehulled jack bean soaked in filtrate obtained from raw pap(T2), dehulled jack bean soaked in lye solution (T3), dehulled jack bean boiled for 15minutes (T4) while a protein free diet served as a negative control (T5). The experiment lasted for 28-days.Dehulled jack bean significantly (P>0.05) influenced the growth parameters measured for the Wistar rats. Rats on control diets had the highest value for all the growth indices, feed intake (210.90g), final body weight (103.40g), body weight changes (41.90g), feed conversion ratio (5.10) and protein efficiency ratio (1.41). Rats on T2 (soaked in ‘ogi’ liquor) had feed intake value of (147.40g), followed by rats on T4 (boiled for 15minutes) (117.00g), T5 (negative control) (119.07) and T3 (soaked in lye solution) (79.40g) respectively. Rats on T4 had the highest value for final body weight (67.80g), body weight changes (6.30g), feed conversion ratio (12.27) and protein efficiency ratio (0.25) while rats on T3 had the lowest value for final body weight (67.80g), body weight changes (-32.45g), total feed intake (79.40g) with FCR of (-0.96) for the tested diets. Wistar rats placed on lye treated diet had depressed body weight changes of 59.8% compared to the control. Digestibility studies however showed that rats on control diets had the highest digestibility value of DM and other nutrients, while there was no significant (P<0.05) difference in digestibility value of CF, significant (P>0.05) differences existed in DM, digestibility value of CP, EE and Ash. Rats on T3 and T5 had the lowest digestibility value for Ash (11.48) and CP (37.66). Rats fed dehulled jack bean seed soaked in ogi liquor and boiled for 15minutes showed slight improvement in growth performance and nutrient utilization over those fed lye soaked jack bean. All the processing methods were ineffective when compared to the performance of rat fed casein based diets.

scholarly journals Effects of cooling on the reproductive performance of gilts

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 357-361
Author(s):  
J.O. Oyedeji ◽  
G.O. Imagbenikaro
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Cooling System ◽  
Large White ◽  
Feed Cost ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Level Of Significance

The study examined the effect of cooling on the reproductive performance of gilts using 27 Large White Experimental Gilts on a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 3 systems of cooling, namely Wallow Cooling (WC), Sprinkler Cooling (SC) and Zero Cooling (ZC). Gilts were weighed at the commencement of the experiment and thereafter fed ad libitum from service to farrowing. Feed intake till farrow, feed cost, gilt weight at farrow, date of farrow, litter size and weight were recorded. The feed/piglet weight, feed intake/litter, feed cost/litter and birth weight/piglet were derived. The results showed that feed intake per litter and feed per piglet weight were highest for gilts placed on WC(P< 0.05), followed by SC and least for sow placed on ZC; gilt weight before farrow was highest for sow placed on SC (69.78±0.92), followed by ZC (69.33±0.94) and least for gilts placed on WC (67.33±0.87); litter sizes of gilts placed under the WC and SC systems were similar (5.6±0.41) while that under the ZC system was comparatively smaller (5.4±0.40);while the date of farrow was lowest in the ZC system (113.8±0.32) followed by SC (114.0±0.33) and highest under the WC (114.1±0.33). However, the feed intake per litter, feed per piglet weight, litter sizes of gilts, birth weight per piglet of gilts and the average date of farrow among gilts placed on WC, SC and ZC were not statistically different at 5% level of significance. Though, there is no significant difference in the performance among gilts placed on WC, SC and ZC, temperature regulation through provision of efficient cooling system in piggery would help to increase litter size, improve feed intake per litter and reduce the average cost of feeding gilt per day in maximizing reproductive performances in pigs.Keywords: Cooling, gilts, service, farrow, piggery, litter size, piglet and birth weight

scholarly journals Live Weight Changes and Their Relationship with the Ovarian Status of Maiden Fat-Tailed Barbarine Ewes

2010 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 41
Author(s):  
Imēne Ben Salem ◽  
Mourad Rekik ◽  
Mohammed Ben Hamouda ◽  
Narjess Lassoued
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Ovarian Function ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Weight Changes ◽  
Ewe Lambs ◽  
Ovarian Status ◽  
Weight Variation ◽  
Igf I ◽  
Semi Arid

The current study assessed the effect of the pattern of live weight change on the ovarian function of maiden Barbarine ewes at approximately 1 year of age. For this purpose, a total of 171 weaned ewe lambs (mean live weight  ± s.d. 34.7±3.07 kg and mean age ± SD 196±10 days at weaning) were selected for the experiment. Adjustment of live weight variation  was used. Based on the slope of the curve, animals were grouped into three classes LWCI (n=46),  LWCII (n=91) and LWCIII (n=34) with live weight loss being highest in LWCI and lowest in LWCIII.  Following laparoscopy at 13 months of age, the proportion of ewe lambs found cycling in LWCIII  (85.3%) was higher in comparison to animals in LWCI (43.4%; P<0.001) and tended to be superior to those in LWCII (61.5%; P<0.05). Following synchronisation with progestagen of the females found cycling, levels of plasma IGF-I concentrations between 6 and 42 hrs after removal of sponges were not significantly different between the three classes of live weight, and respectively averaged 94.2, 90.8 and 89.8 µg/l for LWCI, LWCII and LWCIII females. Levels of estradiol were also not significantly different between the three groups (0.73, 0.70 and 0.67 pg/ml for LWCI, LWCII and LWCIII ewe lambs, respectively). It was concluded that, in low input systems of semi-arid and arid Tunisia, mating ewe lambs at the approximate age of 1 year is likely to lead to depressed reproductive performance particularly when the summer live weight-loss is elevated. 

scholarly journals EFFECTS OF Albizia saman PODS SUPPLEMENTATION ON FEED INTAKE AND LIVE WEIGHT CHANGES OF WHITE FULANI CALVES

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-71
Author(s):  
B. A. ADEBIYI ◽  
J. A. ADENEYE
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effect ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Weight Changes ◽  
Grass Hay ◽  
Guinea Grass ◽  
White Fulani ◽  
Albizia Saman ◽  
Cassava Waste

Nine weaned White Fulani Calves aged between 3 - 13 months, weighing between 28 - 71kg werte fed on ratios consisting of basal Guinea grass hay and 0, 15, 30% Albizia saman replacement for cassava waste in a concentrate ration and each period lasting 28 days feed intake and live weight changes of White Fulani Calves were determined. The DM intake increased with increased level of Albizia saman in the ration, the highest liveweight changes was recorded when the animals were fed 30% Albizia saman whole pod. The result showed that Albizia saman whole pod promotes intake and live weight changes of White Fulani calves, thus can be fed without any adverse effect on calves.

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