scholarly journals Tail Lesions and Losses of Docked and Undocked Pigs in Different Farrowing and Rearing Systems

Agriculture ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 130
Author(s):  
Maria Gentz ◽  
Anita Lange ◽  
Sebastian Zeidler ◽  
Christian Lambertz ◽  
Matthias Gauly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Group Housing ◽  
Conventional System ◽  
Lactating Sows ◽  
F System

This study aimed to investigate the effects of farrowing and rearing systems on tail lesions and losses of docked and undocked pigs. Pigs from three farrowing systems: Conventional farrowing crate (FC), free farrowing (FF) and group housing of lactating sows (GH) were randomly allocated to different rearing systems: A conventional system (CONV), where the pigs were regrouped and transferred to conventional finishing pens at ten weeks of age or a wean-to-finish (W-F) system, where the pigs remained in their pens until slaughter with higher space allowance during rearing. Weekly, tail lesions and losses were assessed individually. The incidence of tail lesions was higher in undocked CONV pigs compared to undocked W-F pigs (maximum: CONV 58.01%, W-F 41.16%). The rearing system had a significant effect on tail losses at the end of finishing (CONV 67.63%, W-F 38.2%). The significant effect of the rearing system might be explained by higher space allowance during rearing and reduced regrouping stress for W-F pigs. In conclusion, farrowing systems showed no effects, but the W-F rearing system reduces the frequency of tail lesions and losses; the curves of tail lesions increased slower and stayed on a lower level, which resulted in lower losses as well.

scholarly journals Classification of Pigs with Tail Lesions from Different Farrowing and Rearing Systems during Rearing and Fattening Period

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 949 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Gentz ◽  
Anita Lange ◽  
Sebastian Zeidler ◽  
Imke Traulsen
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
High Impact ◽  
Group Housing ◽  
Conventional System ◽  
Biologically Relevant ◽  
Lactating Sows ◽  
Fattening Period ◽  
The Individual ◽  
F System

The aim of the present study was to classify and characterise pigs with tail lesions using a combined parameter based on the frequency and duration of tail lesions and to find out whether biologically relevant groups could be separated by cluster analysis. Pigs (n = 677, 50% docked, 50% undocked) from three farrowing systems, as follows: (1) Conventional farrowing crate (FC), (2) free farrowing (FF), and (3) a group housing lactating sows (GH), were divided into two rearing systems as follows: (1) A conventional system (CONV) and (2) a wean-to-finish (W-F) system. Within 18 assessment weeks, starting after weaning, animal tail lesions were recorded individually. The animals were characterised into five lesion groups, as follows: (I) No lesions to (V) many long lasting lesions. The separability of the predefined lesion groups was checked by an animal individual lesion parameter. By using a k-means cluster analysis, it was shown that the docking status was the mainly affected parameter on the tail lesions. The separation of the groups only succeeded for the most distinct groups, I and V. The high impact of the docking status and the reduction of tail lesions by more space allowance was shown. More characterising information for the individual pigs would improve the separability of the lesion groups.

A note on differences in nursing behaviour on pig farms employing individual and group housing of lactating sows

2006 ◽  
Vol 101 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 167-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jitka Šilerová ◽  
Marek Špinka ◽  
Radka Šárová ◽  
Kateřina Slámová ◽  
Bo Algers
Keyword(s):  
Group Housing ◽  
Lactating Sows ◽  
Pig Farms

scholarly journals Aggression and cortisol levels in three different group housing routines for lactating sows

2015 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ola Thomsson ◽  
Ann-Sofi Bergqvist ◽  
Ylva Sjunnesson ◽  
Lena Eliasson-Selling ◽  
Nils Lundeheim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Group Housing ◽  
Lactating Sows ◽  
Cortisol Levels

scholarly journals Consequences for Piglet Performance of Group Housing Lactating Sows at One, Two, or Three Weeks Post-Farrowing

PLoS ONE ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. e0156581 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ola Thomsson ◽  
Ylva Sjunnesson ◽  
Ulf Magnusson ◽  
Lena Eliasson-Selling ◽  
Anna Wallenbeck ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Group Housing ◽  
Lactating Sows

scholarly journals Effects of Different Housing Systems during Suckling and Rearing Period on Skin and Tail Lesions, Tail Losses and Performance of Growing and Finishing Pigs

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2184
Author(s):  
Anita Lange ◽  
Michael Hahne ◽  
Christian Lambertz ◽  
Matthias Gauly ◽  
Michael Wendt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skin Lesions ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Finishing Pigs ◽  
Group Housing ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Tail Biting ◽  
Tail Docking ◽  
Lactating Sows ◽  
Fattening Period ◽  
And Performance

Feasible alternatives to stressful weaning and tail-docking are needed to inhibit tail biting. Therefore, we investigated the effects of housing systems for 1106 pigs that were weaned from: (1) conventional farrowing crates (FC), (2) free-farrowing pens (FF), or (3) group housing of lactating sows (GH) into (1) conventional rearing pens (Conv) or (2) piglets remained in their farrowing pens for rearing (Reaf). Tails were docked or left undocked batchwise. All pigs were regrouped for the fattening period. Pigs were scored for skin lesions, tail lesions and losses. After weaning, Conv-GH pigs had significantly less skin lesions than Conv-FC and Conv-FF pigs. After regrouping for fattening, Reaf-GH pigs had significantly less skin lesions than Conv pigs, Reaf-FC and Reaf-FF. The frequency of tail lesions of undocked Conv pigs peaked in week 4 (66.8%). Two weeks later, Reaf undocked pigs reached their maximum (36.2%). At the end of fattening, 99.3% of undocked Conv pigs and 43.1% of undocked Reaf pigs lost parts of their tail. In conclusion, the co-mingling of piglets during suckling reduced the incidence of skin lesions. Rearing in the farrowing pen significantly reduced the incidence of tail lesions and losses for undocked pigs. No housing system negatively affected the performance.

scholarly journals A review of sow and piglet behaviour and performance in group housing systems for lactating sows

animal ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 448-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.E. van Nieuwamerongen ◽  
J.E. Bolhuis ◽  
C.M.C. van der Peet-Schwering ◽  
N.M. Soede
Keyword(s):  
Group Housing ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Lactating Sows ◽  
And Performance

Group housing for lactating sows with electronically controlled crates: 1. Reproductive traits, body condition, and feed intake

2013 ◽  
Vol 91 (7) ◽  
pp. 3413-3419 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.-L. Bohnenkamp ◽  
I. Traulsen ◽  
C. Meyer ◽  
K. Müller ◽  
J. Krieter
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Reproductive Traits ◽  
Group Housing ◽  
Lactating Sows

Production aspects of integrated housing of sows with confined litters

1993 ◽  
Vol 1993 ◽  
pp. 229-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ing. Wim Houwers ◽  
ir. Rob Buré ◽  
Johan Walvoort
Keyword(s):  
Social Position ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Group Housing ◽  
Productive Life ◽  
Lactating Sows ◽  
Communal Area ◽  
Overall Performance

In an integrated group housing system for sows, animals of all stages of production are kept in one group, except around farrowing, and remain there throughout their productive life. Lactating sows have access to the suckling section of the house via an electronic gate. Jostling of piglets from different litters is avoided by keeping the litters in their own suckling pen until weaning. The system allows lactating sows to freely evade their piglets, and move between the suckling section and the communal area. They can maintain their social position and cool off in the relative cool communal area. Earlier observations (Houwers et al., 1992) showed sows decreased sucklings and increased their absence from the farrowing pen towards weaning. It was not clear whether the overall performance of the piglets was depressed by absence of sows before weaning. The relevance for practical farming partly depends on the production results that can be achieved.

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