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

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.

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Effect of continuous access to feeding stalls during mixing on behavior, welfare, and performance of group-housed gestating sows in different social ranks

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1139/cjas-2015-0054 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 96 (3) ◽

pp. 386-396 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Lihua H. Wang ◽

Yuzhi Z. Li

Keyword(s):

Social Rank ◽

Skin Lesions ◽

Housing System ◽

Group Housing ◽

Aggressive Interactions ◽

High Ranking ◽

Continuous Access ◽

Housing Systems ◽

Reduced Frequency ◽

And Performance

This study was conducted to evaluate a strategy of using feeding stalls to protect low-ranking sows in group-housing systems. Sows (n = 150, parity 1–9) were mixed at weaning in pens of 15 sows. Control pens allowed sows to access feeding stalls for 1 h of feeding daily during the initial 2 d after mixing. Treatment pens allowed sows to access feeding stalls continuously. Social rank was determined based on outcomes of aggressive interactions among sows after mixing. Low-ranking sows used the feeding stalls more frequently (P < 0.01) than high-ranking sows during the initial 6 h after mixing. Continuous stall access reduced frequency of aggressive interactions (P = 0.05) and, consequently, reduced skin lesions (P = 0.05) of sows in the pen. Neither continuous access to stalls nor social rank affected performance of sows. These results suggest that low-ranking sows used feeding stalls as hiding spaces to escape from aggressive interactions during mixing, which reduced skin lesions caused by aggression and improved the welfare of sows in the group-housing system studied.

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Longitudinal study of adverse behaviour of undocked pigs in two different housing systems

BSAP Occasional Publication ◽

10.1017/s0263967x00040374 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 31 ◽

pp. 165-168

Author(s):

H. A. Van de Weerd ◽

C. M. Docking ◽

J .E. L. Day ◽

K. Breuer ◽

S. A. Edwards

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Longitudinal Study ◽

Flow System ◽

Housing System ◽

Finishing Pigs ◽

Housing Systems ◽

Tail Biting ◽

Changes Over Time ◽

Over Time ◽

Biting Behaviour

AbstractThe development of adverse behaviour in group–housed growing/ finishing pigs with intact tails was studied in a straw–flow housing system and in a part–slatted system with a commercial enrichment object. Food intake, body weight and behaviour were monitored over the finishing period, with tail biting outbreaks defined as an occasion where three or more pigs within a group had freshly damaged tails and tail biting behaviour was ongoing. Data from the two systems were analysed to identify tail–biting outbreaks and behavioural changes over time. Levels of pig manipulation were higher in the part–slatted system. Over time, pigs in both systems showed reduced interest in the enrichment provided, but not in each other. Despite the presence of the enrichment device, tail biting occurred in all groups in the part–slatted system, but only 1/12 groups in the straw–flow system. The amount of time occupied by manipulation of the enrichment provided was very significantly higher for straw than for the commercial object. Better design of enrichment strategies is therefore needed and should be based on species–relevant requirements.

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

animal ◽

10.1017/s1751731113002280 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 448-460 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

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

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Comparison of three different farrowing systems: skin lesions and behaviour of sows with special regard to nursing behaviour in a group housing system for lactating sows

animal ◽

10.1017/s1751731119000661 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 13 (11) ◽

pp. 2612-2620 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

T. Nicolaisen ◽

B. Risch ◽

E. Lühken ◽

C. van Meegen ◽

M. Fels ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Skin Lesions ◽

Housing System ◽

Group Housing ◽

Special Regard ◽

Lactating Sows

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Tranquillizing Effect of Passiflora incarnata Extract: Outcome on Behavioral and Physiological Indicators in Weaning Pigs with Intact Tails

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani12020203 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 203

Author(s):

Grazia Pastorelli ◽

Valentina Serra ◽

Lauretta Turin ◽

Veronica Redaelli ◽

Fabio Luzi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Control Diet ◽

Skin Lesions ◽

Abnormal Behavior ◽

Physiological Indicators ◽

Tail Biting ◽

Tail Docking ◽

Weaning Pigs ◽

Passiflora Incarnata ◽

Dietary Treatments ◽

Management Changes

Tail docking has been used in the pig industry to decrease the occurrence of tail biting behavior. This abnormal behavior has a multifactorial origin since it is a response to simultaneous environmental, nutritional and management changes. Given the calming properties of Passiflora incarnata, we hypothesized that dietary supplementation with the extract in weaned pigs could result in a modification of behavior and physiologic indicators linked to stress. Weaned piglets (n = 120, mean body weight 9.07 ± 2.30 kg) were randomly allocated to one of two dietary treatments: control diet (CON) and CON supplemented with 1 kg/t of P. incarnata (PAS). The trial was 28 days long. The presence of skin lesions was assessed at d-1, d-10, d-19, and d-28, and saliva samples were collected for IgA and cortisol determinations at the same sampling times. Results showed the PAS group was characterized by equal growth performance as the CON group, fewer ear lesions (p < 0.05), less aggressive behavior (p < 0.001), higher enrichment exploration (p < 0.001) and lower cortisol levels (p < 0.01). Time effect was observed for tail lesions (p < 0.001) and behavioral observations (p < 0.001). Additional research is required to determine the effect of P. incarnata extract using a larger number of animals and longer period of supplementation when risks associated with tail biting are uncontrolled.

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Prevalence and risk factors of claw lesions and lameness in pregnant sows in two types of group housing

Veterinární Medicína ◽

10.17221/3159-vetmed ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 56 (No. 3) ◽

pp. 101-109 ◽

Cited By ~ 42

Author(s):

L. Pluym ◽

A. Van Nuffel ◽

J. Dewulf ◽

A. Cools ◽

F. Vangroenweghe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Economic Loss ◽

Housing System ◽

Free Access ◽

Group Housing ◽

Related Factors ◽

Housing Systems ◽

Individual Housing ◽

Claw Lesions ◽

Locomotor Disorders

Claw lesions and lameness in sows are an important welfare concern as well as a cause of considerable economic loss. These problems are more common in group housing than in individual housing systems. Given that group housing for gestating sows will become mandatory in the EU from 2013 onwards, the aim of the present study was: (1) to determine the prevalence of lameness and claw lesions in sows housed in groups during gestation, and (2) to analyze whether the type of group housing system and sow-related factors were associated with lameness and claw lesions. Eight Belgian pig herds with group housing of gestating sows were selected. Four herds used pens with electronic sow feeders (dynamic groups), the other four herds kept their sows in free access stalls (static groups). All sows were visually examined for lameness at the end of gestation. Claw lesions were scored after parturition. Information about feed, housing conditions and culling (strategy) was collected, as well as information about parity and breed. Of all 421 assessed sows, on average 9.7% (min. 2.4%, max. 23.1%) were lame. Almost 99% of the sows had one or more claw lesion with overgrowth of heel horn (93%) and cracks in the wall (52%) as the most prevalent lesions. Neither for lameness nor claw lesions was significant differences found between the two types of group housing. Lameness decreased while the mean claw lesion score increased with ageing. These results suggest that lameness can be caused by reasons other than claw lesions, especially in older sows. Although no difference was found between the two types of group housing, a huge variation between herds was observed. Moreover, as the prevalence of lameness and claw lesions in group housing is quite high and group housing will become mandatory in 2013, further investigation on risk factors of locomotor disorders in sows is necessary.

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Tail docking and the rearing of heavy pigs: The role played by gender and the presence of straw in the control of tail biting. Blood parameters, behaviour and skin lesions

Research in Veterinary Science ◽

10.1016/j.rvsc.2013.06.019 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 95 (2) ◽

pp. 825-830 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

Annalisa Scollo ◽

Guido Di Martino ◽

Lebana Bonfanti ◽

Anna Lisa Stefani ◽

Eliana Schiavon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Skin Lesions ◽

Blood Parameters ◽

Tail Biting ◽

Tail Docking

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Development of pigs raised in a group housing system for lactating sows and their litters

10.18174/409859 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

S.E. van Nieuwamerongen

Keyword(s):

Housing System ◽

Group Housing ◽

Lactating Sows

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Growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality of growing rabbits housed in cages or open-air park

Archives Animal Breeding ◽

10.5194/aab-54-625-2011 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 54 (6) ◽

pp. 625-635 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

V. Pinheiro ◽

D. Outor-Monteiro ◽

S. Silva ◽

J. Silva ◽

J. L. Mourão

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Meat Quality ◽

Carcass Characteristics ◽

Biceps Femoris ◽

Housing System ◽

Lower Percentage ◽

Housing Systems ◽

Growing Period ◽

Fattening Period

Abstract. The study was carried out to investigate the effects of two housing systems on the growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality of growing rabbits during the terminal fattening period. The rabbits were lodged in conventional cages between 35 and 59 days of age (growing period). At this age, they were moved into two different housing systems until they were 87 days of age (fattening period). During the fattening period, 48 rabbits were housed in 12 wire cages (0.5×0.6×0.35 m) and 48 rabbits were housed in one open-air pasture pen (20×9 m). At 87 days, 12 rabbits per treatment were slaughtered and the carcass characteristics and meat quality were evaluated. During the fattening period, the rabbits reared in cages had significantly higher live weights (3 062 vs. 2 705 g), weight gains (45.9 vs. 34.2 g·d−1) and feed intakes (163.4 vs. 110.2 g·d−1) than those reared in pens. The rabbits in the open-air group had a lower percentage of dissectible fat (1.35 vs. 4.19 %), a higher proportion of hind part (34.9 vs. 33.1 %), and less hind leg muscle (79.3 vs. 81.9 %) than caged rabbits. The m. biceps femoris of the rabbits in the open-air group had a higher cooking loss (3.64 vs. 3.02 %), Warner-Bratzler Shear Force (4.26 vs. 3.29 kg·cm−2), and myoglobin concentration (0.41 vs. 0.32 mg·g−1) than caged rabbits. The housing system had no effect on the dressing out percentage, viscera proportion, and ultimate pH. Open-air housing system reduces the growth of rabbits and the fat content of carcasses and increases the redness colour of meat.

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