The Experts below are selected from a list of 1293 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
P. Brophy - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
The effect of providing shredded paper or ropes to piglets in Farrowing Crates on their behaviour and health and the behaviour and health of their dams
Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2005Co-Authors: Eva Lewis, Laura Boyle, P.b. Lynch, John V. O’doherty, P. BrophyAbstract:Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of providing paper or rope, alternative enriching substrates to straw, to piglets in Farrowing Crates on piglet and sow welfare. Sixty multiparous sows and their litters were housed in Crates that were either barren (BARREN), enriched with shredded paper (PAPER) or natural fibre rope (ROPE). Enriching substrates were introduced when piglets were 10 days old. The proportion of sows with udder and teat lesions before parturition and at weaning was recorded. Piglet facial lesions were scored according to severity on days 11, 18 and 27. Sow and piglet behaviour was recorded using scan sampling on days 14, 18, 22 and 26. Furthermore, the behaviour of one male and one female focal piglet per litter was recorded continuously for 10 min twice per day on days 14, 18, 22 and 26. On day 27 post-partum, focal piglets were observed for 5 min in a novel arena and for a further 5 min after a novel object was introduced. On day 27, there was a tendency for more BARREN sows to have teat lesions ( P = 0.07). PAPER litters tended to have a smaller proportion of piglets with facial lesions ( P = 0.06). ROPE piglets were active in the enriched area of the crate in more observations than BARREN and PAPER piglets ( P P P P P = 0.05). In conclusion, shredded paper improved piglet welfare and was easily incorporated into the Farrowing Crates.
-
The effect of two piglet teeth resection procedures on the welfare of sows in Farrowing Crates. Part 2
Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2005Co-Authors: Eva Lewis, Laura Boyle, P. Brophy, John V. O’doherty, P.b. LynchAbstract:Recent EU legislation discourages the practice of resecting piglets’ needle teeth. However, the effect of leaving piglets’ teeth intact on the welfare of sows in Farrowing Crates is poorly understood. Therefore, the aim of the study was to compare the effects of clipping and grinding piglets’ needle teeth, compared to leaving them intact, on the welfare of sows in Farrowing Crates. Six days pre-partum 60 multiparous sows were assigned to one of three treatments. Litters had their teeth clipped (C), ground (G) or left intact (I) at birth. Sows’ teats were inspected for lesions pre-partum (day −3) and on days 1, 4, 11, 18 and 27 post-partum. Instantaneous scan samples (5 min intervals) of sow behaviour were carried out during three 2 h periods on days 1, 4, 8, 14, 21 and 26. On days 1, 4 and 11 all piglets were removed from the crate for 60 min. On re-introduction of the piglets, sow maternal behaviour was recorded continuously for 20 min. The number of sows with teat lesions tended to differ between treatments on days 11 (P = 0.06) and 18 (P = 0.10). There was an interactive effect between treatment and day on sow dog-sitting behaviour throughout lactation (P < 0.001) and a tendency for an interactive effect on posture-changing behaviour (P = 0.08). On day 21, I sows were dog-sitting in more observations than C sows (P < 0.05) and on day 26 in more observations than C and G sows (P < 0.001). There was an interaction between treatment and day in the latency of sows to suckle their piglets following 60 min separation (P < 0.05). On day 4, I sows had a shorter latency to suckle than C and G sows (P < 0.05). There was an effect of treatment on the number of sows that terminated bouts of post-suckling udder massage (P < 0.05). On day 4, more I than C sows terminated post-suckling udder massage (P = 0.01). Finally, there was an effect of treatment on the time spent lying in the ventral posture in the observations of maternal behaviour (P < 0.05). C sows spent less time lying in the ventral posture than G and I sows (P < 0.05). There were indications that leaving the teeth intact and to a lesser extent grinding caused injury and disturbance to sows. In Farrowing Crates, leaving piglets’ teeth intact cannot be recommended.
-
The effect of two teeth resection procedures on the welfare of piglets in Farrowing Crates. Part 1
Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2005Co-Authors: Eva Lewis, Laura Boyle, P.b. Lynch, P. Brophy, John V. O’dohertyAbstract:Abstract Teeth resection is a method of controlling the injurious effects of the aggression displayed when newborn piglets fight to establish a teat order. Recent European legislation discourages the practice. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of clipping and grinding piglets’ needle teeth, compared to leaving them intact, on the welfare of piglets in Farrowing Crates. Six days pre-partum, 60 sows were assigned to one of three treatments. Litters had their teeth clipped (C), ground (G) or left intact (I) at birth. The time taken to carry out each procedure was recorded. Piglet weights and facial lesions, which were scored according to severity, were recorded on days 1, 4, 11, 18 and 27. Piglet weights were also recorded at birth. Mouth lesions were recorded on days 1, 4 and 27. Instantaneous scan samples of piglet behaviour were carried out for 30 min post-teeth resection procedure (1 min intervals), and for 6 h on days 1, 4, 8, 14, 21 and 26 (5 min intervals). One male and one female piglet per litter were chosen as focal animals and observed for 5 min each post-procedure and for 10 min each twice per day on days 1, 5, 12, 20 and 26. Mortalities were recorded throughout lactation. Grinding took significantly longer than clipping the teeth or leaving them intact (F = 638.87, P In conclusion, although all three options were associated with welfare problems, grinding can be recommended in preference to clipping or leaving the teeth intact.
-
The effect of floor type in Farrowing Crates on piglet welfare
Irish Journal of Agricultural and Food Research, 2005Co-Authors: Eva Lewis, P. BrophyAbstract:The effect on piglet welfare of different combinations of flooring in the sow and piglet areas of Farrowing Crates was examined. One hundred and three multiparous sows were housed, from one week pre-Farrowing through Farrowing and lactation to wean ing, in Farrowing Crates with one of five flooring combinations: SS - slatted steel in hoth the sow and piglet areas of the crate; SF - slatted steel sow flooring and plastic coated expanded metal for the piglets; AP - slatted steel (with a checker-plate panel) sow flooring and plastic-coated expanded metal for the piglets; CP - expanded cast iron sow flooring and plastic-coated expanded metal for the piglets; PP - plastic-coated woven wire sow flooring and plastic-coated expanded metal for the piglets. The number of litters assigned to SS, SP, AP, CP and PP were 27,23,17,18 and 18, respec tively. All piglet areas had a water-heated pad. Piglets were examined for lesions, scored from zero to three according to severity, at six locations on each foot and at seven locations on each limb during the suckling period. Addition of scores at each location yielded a foot and limb lesion score. In addition, the proportion of piglets in a litter affected by at least one iiyury was calculated for each of the following: the carpal joints, coronets, accessory digits, footpads. Piglet behaviour was recorded for 2 h, between 1330 and 1630, at 24 h after birth. Litters were weighed at birth and at wean ing, and all deaths were recorded during the suckling period. SS litters had higher foot and limb lesion scores (P < 0.001). In addition, a greater proportion of piglets in SS litters were affected by at least one injury to the carpal joint, coronet, accessory digit and footpad (P < 0.001). SP piglets were active on the heatpad in more observations than AP piglets (P < 0.05). PP piglets were inactive in other areas of the pen in more observations than SS piglets (P < 0.05). There was no effect of treatment on piglet weight gain or mortality. It is concluded that the use of slatted steel in piglet areas of
-
Effect of gestation housing on behaviour and skin lesions of sows in Farrowing Crates
Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2002Co-Authors: Laura Boyle, Finola C. Leonard, P.b. Lynch, P. BrophyAbstract:Abstract Group housing systems for pregnant sows are set to become more popular, but there is evidence that this development could influence the welfare of sows in Farrowing Crates. A study was designed to assess the effect of gestation accommodation on behaviour, welfare and Farrowing performance of sows in Farrowing Crates. Multiparous sows were housed loose [L] in groups of four with feeding stalls ( n =24) or individually in gestation stalls [S] ( n =24) from 1 month post-service. On day 110 of pregnancy, sows were moved to Farrowing Crates where they remained until 28 days post-partum. Behaviour was recorded on the first day in the crate and on day 10 of lactation. Posture changing frequency was recorded for 2 h prior to and for the duration of Farrowing. Skin lesions were scored from 0 to 6 at 34 locations on the body the day before and the day after entry to the crate, post-Farrowing, during weeks 2 and 3 of lactation and at weaning. On the first day in the crate S sows made significantly more attempts to lie down per lie down event than L sows ( P P P P P P
Laura Boyle - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
The effect of overgrown claws on behaviour and claw abnormalities of sows in Farrowing Crates
Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2015Co-Authors: Julia A. Calderón Díaz, Finola C. Leonard, Ivonne M.j. Stienezen, Laura BoyleAbstract:Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of overgrowth of the weight bearing claws on the behaviour of sows in Farrowing Crates. The study used 24 multiparous lactating sows, 13 with overgrown (OG) rear claws and 11 controls. Sows were video recorded continuously from approximately 12 h before Farrowing in order to capture postural behaviour for 6 h prior to the birth of the first piglet. An index of the proportion of time spent in different postures was calculated by sampling sow postural behaviour every 10 min. Lying down behaviour and sow behaviour while standing at feeding were directly observed during three feeding events within a week of Farrowing, commencing approximately 10 min prior to feed delivery and terminating once the sows lay down. Data on time spent “only” standing, time spent feeding, number of slips and weight shifts per minute and latency, time and number of attempts to lie down, among others, were recorded during the direct observations. Additionally, all front and hind weight bearing claws were examined for claw abnormalities which were scored according to severity using a 4-point scale (0 = normal to 3 = severe) on the day of transfer to the Farrowing crate (d110 of gestation) and after Farrowing while the sows were lying down. Data were analysed using generalised linear mixed model equation methods in PROC GLIMMIX of SAS v9.3. Sows with overgrown claws (OG) had a higher score for erosion (P
-
Effect of housing on rubber slat mats during pregnancy on the behaviour and welfare of sows in Farrowing Crates
2014Co-Authors: Julia A. Calderón Díaz, Laura BoyleAbstract:The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of flooring type during gestation, lameness and limb lesion scores on welfare and behaviour of sows in Farrowing Crates. Sixty sows group-housed during gestation in pens with solid concrete floored feeding stalls and a concrete, fully slatted group area either uncovered (CON; n = 30) or covered with 10 mm thick rubber slat mats (RUB; n = 30) were transferred to the Farrowing crate at 110d of gestation (-5d). Lameness was scored on -5d and at weaning (28 d postFarrowing). Limb lesions were scored on -5d, 24 h later (-4d), 3 to 5 days post Farrowing and at weaning (i.e., day 28 post Farrowing). Sows were video recorded for 24 h on -5d, after the last piglet was born (FARROW) and prior to weaning. Videos were sampled every 10 min and an index of the proportion of time spent in different postures (standing [S], ventral [VL] and lateral lying [LL] and total lying) and number of postural changes was calculated. Median scores were calculated for limb lesions and classified as ≤ median or > median. Postural data were tested for normality and analysed using mixed model equations methodology. Flooring during gestation did not affect any of the variables recorded in this study. However, RUB sows tended to make more postural changes than CON sows (P = 0.10). Sows with swelling scores > median spent more time LL (68.9 vs. 63.1 ± 2.19%; P < 0.05) and less time VL (19.9 vs. 25.8 ± 2.27%; P < 0.05) than sows with swelling scores ≤ median. Time spent S and VL decreased and LL increased at FARROW compared to -5d and prior to weaning (P < 0.01). We found no effect of flooring type during gestation on welfare and behaviour in the Farrowing crate. Factors such as limb lesions and adaptation to confinement (i.e., time spent inside the
-
The effect of providing shredded paper or ropes to piglets in Farrowing Crates on their behaviour and health and the behaviour and health of their dams
Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2005Co-Authors: Eva Lewis, Laura Boyle, P.b. Lynch, John V. O’doherty, P. BrophyAbstract:Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of providing paper or rope, alternative enriching substrates to straw, to piglets in Farrowing Crates on piglet and sow welfare. Sixty multiparous sows and their litters were housed in Crates that were either barren (BARREN), enriched with shredded paper (PAPER) or natural fibre rope (ROPE). Enriching substrates were introduced when piglets were 10 days old. The proportion of sows with udder and teat lesions before parturition and at weaning was recorded. Piglet facial lesions were scored according to severity on days 11, 18 and 27. Sow and piglet behaviour was recorded using scan sampling on days 14, 18, 22 and 26. Furthermore, the behaviour of one male and one female focal piglet per litter was recorded continuously for 10 min twice per day on days 14, 18, 22 and 26. On day 27 post-partum, focal piglets were observed for 5 min in a novel arena and for a further 5 min after a novel object was introduced. On day 27, there was a tendency for more BARREN sows to have teat lesions ( P = 0.07). PAPER litters tended to have a smaller proportion of piglets with facial lesions ( P = 0.06). ROPE piglets were active in the enriched area of the crate in more observations than BARREN and PAPER piglets ( P P P P P = 0.05). In conclusion, shredded paper improved piglet welfare and was easily incorporated into the Farrowing Crates.
-
The effect of two piglet teeth resection procedures on the welfare of sows in Farrowing Crates. Part 2
Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2005Co-Authors: Eva Lewis, Laura Boyle, P. Brophy, John V. O’doherty, P.b. LynchAbstract:Recent EU legislation discourages the practice of resecting piglets’ needle teeth. However, the effect of leaving piglets’ teeth intact on the welfare of sows in Farrowing Crates is poorly understood. Therefore, the aim of the study was to compare the effects of clipping and grinding piglets’ needle teeth, compared to leaving them intact, on the welfare of sows in Farrowing Crates. Six days pre-partum 60 multiparous sows were assigned to one of three treatments. Litters had their teeth clipped (C), ground (G) or left intact (I) at birth. Sows’ teats were inspected for lesions pre-partum (day −3) and on days 1, 4, 11, 18 and 27 post-partum. Instantaneous scan samples (5 min intervals) of sow behaviour were carried out during three 2 h periods on days 1, 4, 8, 14, 21 and 26. On days 1, 4 and 11 all piglets were removed from the crate for 60 min. On re-introduction of the piglets, sow maternal behaviour was recorded continuously for 20 min. The number of sows with teat lesions tended to differ between treatments on days 11 (P = 0.06) and 18 (P = 0.10). There was an interactive effect between treatment and day on sow dog-sitting behaviour throughout lactation (P < 0.001) and a tendency for an interactive effect on posture-changing behaviour (P = 0.08). On day 21, I sows were dog-sitting in more observations than C sows (P < 0.05) and on day 26 in more observations than C and G sows (P < 0.001). There was an interaction between treatment and day in the latency of sows to suckle their piglets following 60 min separation (P < 0.05). On day 4, I sows had a shorter latency to suckle than C and G sows (P < 0.05). There was an effect of treatment on the number of sows that terminated bouts of post-suckling udder massage (P < 0.05). On day 4, more I than C sows terminated post-suckling udder massage (P = 0.01). Finally, there was an effect of treatment on the time spent lying in the ventral posture in the observations of maternal behaviour (P < 0.05). C sows spent less time lying in the ventral posture than G and I sows (P < 0.05). There were indications that leaving the teeth intact and to a lesser extent grinding caused injury and disturbance to sows. In Farrowing Crates, leaving piglets’ teeth intact cannot be recommended.
-
The effect of two teeth resection procedures on the welfare of piglets in Farrowing Crates. Part 1
Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2005Co-Authors: Eva Lewis, Laura Boyle, P.b. Lynch, P. Brophy, John V. O’dohertyAbstract:Abstract Teeth resection is a method of controlling the injurious effects of the aggression displayed when newborn piglets fight to establish a teat order. Recent European legislation discourages the practice. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of clipping and grinding piglets’ needle teeth, compared to leaving them intact, on the welfare of piglets in Farrowing Crates. Six days pre-partum, 60 sows were assigned to one of three treatments. Litters had their teeth clipped (C), ground (G) or left intact (I) at birth. The time taken to carry out each procedure was recorded. Piglet weights and facial lesions, which were scored according to severity, were recorded on days 1, 4, 11, 18 and 27. Piglet weights were also recorded at birth. Mouth lesions were recorded on days 1, 4 and 27. Instantaneous scan samples of piglet behaviour were carried out for 30 min post-teeth resection procedure (1 min intervals), and for 6 h on days 1, 4, 8, 14, 21 and 26 (5 min intervals). One male and one female piglet per litter were chosen as focal animals and observed for 5 min each post-procedure and for 10 min each twice per day on days 1, 5, 12, 20 and 26. Mortalities were recorded throughout lactation. Grinding took significantly longer than clipping the teeth or leaving them intact (F = 638.87, P In conclusion, although all three options were associated with welfare problems, grinding can be recommended in preference to clipping or leaving the teeth intact.
P.b. Lynch - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
The effect of providing shredded paper or ropes to piglets in Farrowing Crates on their behaviour and health and the behaviour and health of their dams
Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2005Co-Authors: Eva Lewis, Laura Boyle, P.b. Lynch, John V. O’doherty, P. BrophyAbstract:Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of providing paper or rope, alternative enriching substrates to straw, to piglets in Farrowing Crates on piglet and sow welfare. Sixty multiparous sows and their litters were housed in Crates that were either barren (BARREN), enriched with shredded paper (PAPER) or natural fibre rope (ROPE). Enriching substrates were introduced when piglets were 10 days old. The proportion of sows with udder and teat lesions before parturition and at weaning was recorded. Piglet facial lesions were scored according to severity on days 11, 18 and 27. Sow and piglet behaviour was recorded using scan sampling on days 14, 18, 22 and 26. Furthermore, the behaviour of one male and one female focal piglet per litter was recorded continuously for 10 min twice per day on days 14, 18, 22 and 26. On day 27 post-partum, focal piglets were observed for 5 min in a novel arena and for a further 5 min after a novel object was introduced. On day 27, there was a tendency for more BARREN sows to have teat lesions ( P = 0.07). PAPER litters tended to have a smaller proportion of piglets with facial lesions ( P = 0.06). ROPE piglets were active in the enriched area of the crate in more observations than BARREN and PAPER piglets ( P P P P P = 0.05). In conclusion, shredded paper improved piglet welfare and was easily incorporated into the Farrowing Crates.
-
The effect of two piglet teeth resection procedures on the welfare of sows in Farrowing Crates. Part 2
Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2005Co-Authors: Eva Lewis, Laura Boyle, P. Brophy, John V. O’doherty, P.b. LynchAbstract:Recent EU legislation discourages the practice of resecting piglets’ needle teeth. However, the effect of leaving piglets’ teeth intact on the welfare of sows in Farrowing Crates is poorly understood. Therefore, the aim of the study was to compare the effects of clipping and grinding piglets’ needle teeth, compared to leaving them intact, on the welfare of sows in Farrowing Crates. Six days pre-partum 60 multiparous sows were assigned to one of three treatments. Litters had their teeth clipped (C), ground (G) or left intact (I) at birth. Sows’ teats were inspected for lesions pre-partum (day −3) and on days 1, 4, 11, 18 and 27 post-partum. Instantaneous scan samples (5 min intervals) of sow behaviour were carried out during three 2 h periods on days 1, 4, 8, 14, 21 and 26. On days 1, 4 and 11 all piglets were removed from the crate for 60 min. On re-introduction of the piglets, sow maternal behaviour was recorded continuously for 20 min. The number of sows with teat lesions tended to differ between treatments on days 11 (P = 0.06) and 18 (P = 0.10). There was an interactive effect between treatment and day on sow dog-sitting behaviour throughout lactation (P < 0.001) and a tendency for an interactive effect on posture-changing behaviour (P = 0.08). On day 21, I sows were dog-sitting in more observations than C sows (P < 0.05) and on day 26 in more observations than C and G sows (P < 0.001). There was an interaction between treatment and day in the latency of sows to suckle their piglets following 60 min separation (P < 0.05). On day 4, I sows had a shorter latency to suckle than C and G sows (P < 0.05). There was an effect of treatment on the number of sows that terminated bouts of post-suckling udder massage (P < 0.05). On day 4, more I than C sows terminated post-suckling udder massage (P = 0.01). Finally, there was an effect of treatment on the time spent lying in the ventral posture in the observations of maternal behaviour (P < 0.05). C sows spent less time lying in the ventral posture than G and I sows (P < 0.05). There were indications that leaving the teeth intact and to a lesser extent grinding caused injury and disturbance to sows. In Farrowing Crates, leaving piglets’ teeth intact cannot be recommended.
-
The effect of two teeth resection procedures on the welfare of piglets in Farrowing Crates. Part 1
Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2005Co-Authors: Eva Lewis, Laura Boyle, P.b. Lynch, P. Brophy, John V. O’dohertyAbstract:Abstract Teeth resection is a method of controlling the injurious effects of the aggression displayed when newborn piglets fight to establish a teat order. Recent European legislation discourages the practice. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of clipping and grinding piglets’ needle teeth, compared to leaving them intact, on the welfare of piglets in Farrowing Crates. Six days pre-partum, 60 sows were assigned to one of three treatments. Litters had their teeth clipped (C), ground (G) or left intact (I) at birth. The time taken to carry out each procedure was recorded. Piglet weights and facial lesions, which were scored according to severity, were recorded on days 1, 4, 11, 18 and 27. Piglet weights were also recorded at birth. Mouth lesions were recorded on days 1, 4 and 27. Instantaneous scan samples of piglet behaviour were carried out for 30 min post-teeth resection procedure (1 min intervals), and for 6 h on days 1, 4, 8, 14, 21 and 26 (5 min intervals). One male and one female piglet per litter were chosen as focal animals and observed for 5 min each post-procedure and for 10 min each twice per day on days 1, 5, 12, 20 and 26. Mortalities were recorded throughout lactation. Grinding took significantly longer than clipping the teeth or leaving them intact (F = 638.87, P In conclusion, although all three options were associated with welfare problems, grinding can be recommended in preference to clipping or leaving the teeth intact.
-
Effect of gestation housing on behaviour and skin lesions of sows in Farrowing Crates
Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2002Co-Authors: Laura Boyle, Finola C. Leonard, P.b. Lynch, P. BrophyAbstract:Abstract Group housing systems for pregnant sows are set to become more popular, but there is evidence that this development could influence the welfare of sows in Farrowing Crates. A study was designed to assess the effect of gestation accommodation on behaviour, welfare and Farrowing performance of sows in Farrowing Crates. Multiparous sows were housed loose [L] in groups of four with feeding stalls ( n =24) or individually in gestation stalls [S] ( n =24) from 1 month post-service. On day 110 of pregnancy, sows were moved to Farrowing Crates where they remained until 28 days post-partum. Behaviour was recorded on the first day in the crate and on day 10 of lactation. Posture changing frequency was recorded for 2 h prior to and for the duration of Farrowing. Skin lesions were scored from 0 to 6 at 34 locations on the body the day before and the day after entry to the crate, post-Farrowing, during weeks 2 and 3 of lactation and at weaning. On the first day in the crate S sows made significantly more attempts to lie down per lie down event than L sows ( P P P P P P
-
Influence of housing system during gestation on the behaviour and welfare of gilts in Farrowing Crates.
Animal Science, 2000Co-Authors: Laura Boyle, Finola C. Leonard, P.b. Lynch, P. BrophyAbstract:There is some evidence to show that loose housing during gestation has a negative influence on the welfare of sows subsequently in Farrowing Crates. However, little is known about the effects of the gestation housing on the initial responses of gilts to the Farrowing crate or of the effects on gilt welfare throughout lactation. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate three gestation housing systems (1) stalls (ST); (2) loose-bedded (LB) and (3) loose-unbedded (LU) pens for their effect on behaviour, heart rate and skin lesion scores of gilts in Farrowing Crates. During the 1st h in the Farrowing crate, LB gilts were more active, while ST gilts were more vocal. Although heart rates during the 1st h did not differ significantly between treatments, LB and LU gilts had significantly higher mean heart rates during the first 5 min in the crate, compared with 35 min later. Posture changes during the first 24 h did not differ between treatments. However, there was a significant reduction in the number of posture changes made by ST gilts but not LB or LU gilts by day 8. Increases in the skin lesion score of gilts in all three treatments were observed after 24 h in the crate, further increases were observed post Farrowing in both loose treatments. Although no significant differences in the skin lesion score were observed during lactation, LB gilts were weaned with lower lesion scores than LU or ST gilts. Gilts from both loose treatments experienced greater distress at first introduction to the Farrowing crate. However, the change in environment also had an adverse affect on the welfare of ST gilts. Skin damage and continuing discomfort of the loose-housed gilts post Farrowing suggests that they experienced more stress at parturition. Bedding during gestation had a beneficial effect on skin health in the Farrowing crate that persisted until weaning.
Eva Lewis - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
The effect of providing shredded paper or ropes to piglets in Farrowing Crates on their behaviour and health and the behaviour and health of their dams
Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2005Co-Authors: Eva Lewis, Laura Boyle, P.b. Lynch, John V. O’doherty, P. BrophyAbstract:Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of providing paper or rope, alternative enriching substrates to straw, to piglets in Farrowing Crates on piglet and sow welfare. Sixty multiparous sows and their litters were housed in Crates that were either barren (BARREN), enriched with shredded paper (PAPER) or natural fibre rope (ROPE). Enriching substrates were introduced when piglets were 10 days old. The proportion of sows with udder and teat lesions before parturition and at weaning was recorded. Piglet facial lesions were scored according to severity on days 11, 18 and 27. Sow and piglet behaviour was recorded using scan sampling on days 14, 18, 22 and 26. Furthermore, the behaviour of one male and one female focal piglet per litter was recorded continuously for 10 min twice per day on days 14, 18, 22 and 26. On day 27 post-partum, focal piglets were observed for 5 min in a novel arena and for a further 5 min after a novel object was introduced. On day 27, there was a tendency for more BARREN sows to have teat lesions ( P = 0.07). PAPER litters tended to have a smaller proportion of piglets with facial lesions ( P = 0.06). ROPE piglets were active in the enriched area of the crate in more observations than BARREN and PAPER piglets ( P P P P P = 0.05). In conclusion, shredded paper improved piglet welfare and was easily incorporated into the Farrowing Crates.
-
The effect of two piglet teeth resection procedures on the welfare of sows in Farrowing Crates. Part 2
Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2005Co-Authors: Eva Lewis, Laura Boyle, P. Brophy, John V. O’doherty, P.b. LynchAbstract:Recent EU legislation discourages the practice of resecting piglets’ needle teeth. However, the effect of leaving piglets’ teeth intact on the welfare of sows in Farrowing Crates is poorly understood. Therefore, the aim of the study was to compare the effects of clipping and grinding piglets’ needle teeth, compared to leaving them intact, on the welfare of sows in Farrowing Crates. Six days pre-partum 60 multiparous sows were assigned to one of three treatments. Litters had their teeth clipped (C), ground (G) or left intact (I) at birth. Sows’ teats were inspected for lesions pre-partum (day −3) and on days 1, 4, 11, 18 and 27 post-partum. Instantaneous scan samples (5 min intervals) of sow behaviour were carried out during three 2 h periods on days 1, 4, 8, 14, 21 and 26. On days 1, 4 and 11 all piglets were removed from the crate for 60 min. On re-introduction of the piglets, sow maternal behaviour was recorded continuously for 20 min. The number of sows with teat lesions tended to differ between treatments on days 11 (P = 0.06) and 18 (P = 0.10). There was an interactive effect between treatment and day on sow dog-sitting behaviour throughout lactation (P < 0.001) and a tendency for an interactive effect on posture-changing behaviour (P = 0.08). On day 21, I sows were dog-sitting in more observations than C sows (P < 0.05) and on day 26 in more observations than C and G sows (P < 0.001). There was an interaction between treatment and day in the latency of sows to suckle their piglets following 60 min separation (P < 0.05). On day 4, I sows had a shorter latency to suckle than C and G sows (P < 0.05). There was an effect of treatment on the number of sows that terminated bouts of post-suckling udder massage (P < 0.05). On day 4, more I than C sows terminated post-suckling udder massage (P = 0.01). Finally, there was an effect of treatment on the time spent lying in the ventral posture in the observations of maternal behaviour (P < 0.05). C sows spent less time lying in the ventral posture than G and I sows (P < 0.05). There were indications that leaving the teeth intact and to a lesser extent grinding caused injury and disturbance to sows. In Farrowing Crates, leaving piglets’ teeth intact cannot be recommended.
-
The effect of two teeth resection procedures on the welfare of piglets in Farrowing Crates. Part 1
Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2005Co-Authors: Eva Lewis, Laura Boyle, P.b. Lynch, P. Brophy, John V. O’dohertyAbstract:Abstract Teeth resection is a method of controlling the injurious effects of the aggression displayed when newborn piglets fight to establish a teat order. Recent European legislation discourages the practice. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of clipping and grinding piglets’ needle teeth, compared to leaving them intact, on the welfare of piglets in Farrowing Crates. Six days pre-partum, 60 sows were assigned to one of three treatments. Litters had their teeth clipped (C), ground (G) or left intact (I) at birth. The time taken to carry out each procedure was recorded. Piglet weights and facial lesions, which were scored according to severity, were recorded on days 1, 4, 11, 18 and 27. Piglet weights were also recorded at birth. Mouth lesions were recorded on days 1, 4 and 27. Instantaneous scan samples of piglet behaviour were carried out for 30 min post-teeth resection procedure (1 min intervals), and for 6 h on days 1, 4, 8, 14, 21 and 26 (5 min intervals). One male and one female piglet per litter were chosen as focal animals and observed for 5 min each post-procedure and for 10 min each twice per day on days 1, 5, 12, 20 and 26. Mortalities were recorded throughout lactation. Grinding took significantly longer than clipping the teeth or leaving them intact (F = 638.87, P In conclusion, although all three options were associated with welfare problems, grinding can be recommended in preference to clipping or leaving the teeth intact.
-
The effect of floor type in Farrowing Crates on piglet welfare
Irish Journal of Agricultural and Food Research, 2005Co-Authors: Eva Lewis, P. BrophyAbstract:The effect on piglet welfare of different combinations of flooring in the sow and piglet areas of Farrowing Crates was examined. One hundred and three multiparous sows were housed, from one week pre-Farrowing through Farrowing and lactation to wean ing, in Farrowing Crates with one of five flooring combinations: SS - slatted steel in hoth the sow and piglet areas of the crate; SF - slatted steel sow flooring and plastic coated expanded metal for the piglets; AP - slatted steel (with a checker-plate panel) sow flooring and plastic-coated expanded metal for the piglets; CP - expanded cast iron sow flooring and plastic-coated expanded metal for the piglets; PP - plastic-coated woven wire sow flooring and plastic-coated expanded metal for the piglets. The number of litters assigned to SS, SP, AP, CP and PP were 27,23,17,18 and 18, respec tively. All piglet areas had a water-heated pad. Piglets were examined for lesions, scored from zero to three according to severity, at six locations on each foot and at seven locations on each limb during the suckling period. Addition of scores at each location yielded a foot and limb lesion score. In addition, the proportion of piglets in a litter affected by at least one iiyury was calculated for each of the following: the carpal joints, coronets, accessory digits, footpads. Piglet behaviour was recorded for 2 h, between 1330 and 1630, at 24 h after birth. Litters were weighed at birth and at wean ing, and all deaths were recorded during the suckling period. SS litters had higher foot and limb lesion scores (P < 0.001). In addition, a greater proportion of piglets in SS litters were affected by at least one injury to the carpal joint, coronet, accessory digit and footpad (P < 0.001). SP piglets were active on the heatpad in more observations than AP piglets (P < 0.05). PP piglets were inactive in other areas of the pen in more observations than SS piglets (P < 0.05). There was no effect of treatment on piglet weight gain or mortality. It is concluded that the use of slatted steel in piglet areas of
-
Effect of floor type on the welfare of piglets in the Farrowing house
Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science, 2002Co-Authors: Eva Lewis, P. Brophy, L. Boyle, B. Lynch, J. O’ DohertyAbstract:Floor type is one of the main features influencing the welfare of sows and piglets in Farrowing Crates. Yet it is difficult to reconcile the needs of the sow and her piglets through the use of one floor (Furniss et al., 1986). Hence the aim of this study was to identify a floor combination that optimises the welfare of the piglets in the Farrowing crate.
Ian W. Barugh - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Sow and piglet behavioral associations in Farrowing pens with temporary crating and in Farrowing Crates
Journal of Veterinary Behavior-clinical Applications and Research, 2017Co-Authors: Kirsty L. Chidgey, Patrick C. H. Morel, Kevin J. Stafford, Ian W. BarughAbstract:The Farrowing system in which a sow and her piglets are housed may influence the manner in which they interact with one another. Behavioral displays of sows in Farrowing Crates are limited, whereas pen-based alternatives to Farrowing Crates enable a greater range of behavioral expression, including interacting more with piglets. The associations between sow behavior and piglet behavior in Crates and pens with temporary crating were compared using 2 different data sets. During days 1-6 after Farrowing, 15 sows and their litters were observed in Farrowing Crates, and 16 sows and their litters were observed in pens with temporary crating. Sows in Farrowing Crates were crated throughout days 1-6, and sows in pens were crated during days 1-3 (period 1) and loose in the pen on days 4-6 (period 2). Additionally, gilts and their litters were observed during the first 3 days after Farrowing. Gilts were either born and reared in Farrowing Crates (C) or in a pen with temporary crating (P) and were observed after they farrowed in either a Farrowing crate or in a pen with temporary crating. Hence, there were 4 experimental groups of gilts: CC (born and reared in a crate, farrowed in a crate, N = 8), CP (born and reared in a crate, farrowed in a pen, N = 6), PC (born and reared in a pen, farrowed in a crate N = 5), and PP (born and reared in a pen, farrowed in a pen, N = 8). When sows and gilts were standing, piglets were mostly inactive in the creep area. When they were lying, piglets were inactive either in the creep, or at the sow's udder. Piglets in pens spent more time inactive at the sow's udder than piglets in Crates when the sow was lying in period 1, and in period 2, when penned sows were loose (P < 0.01). Piglets tended to be active when sows and gilts touched, investigated, and vocalized toward them. Piglets of gilts that were born and reared in pens and farrowed in pens (PP) vocalized more toward their dam than those in CC, CP, and PC groups, particularly when their dam was vocalizing toward them (P < 0.01), investigating them (P < 0.01), and touching them (P < 0.01). The present study demonstrated that some associations between sow and piglet behavior changed when the sow was no longer confined in a crate. Furthermore, the piglets of gilts born and reared in a Farrowing system that did not match the environment they later farrowed in may be influenced by their dam's adaptation to an unfamiliar environment.
-
Observations of sows and piglets housed in Farrowing pens with temporary crating or Farrowing Crates on a commercial farm
Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2016Co-Authors: Kirsty L. Chidgey, Patrick C. H. Morel, Kevin J. Stafford, Ian W. BarughAbstract:Abstract Alternatives to Farrowing Crates have been developed to improve sow welfare. These alternative Farrowing systems have been designed to provide more space, allowing sows greater freedom of movement during lactation. This experiment was part of a larger study comparing sow and piglet performance and behaviour in two Farrowing systems. In one Farrowing system, sows were housed in Crates from 5days pre- until 28days post-Farrowing ( N =15 sows and 187 piglets born). In the other Farrowing system, sows were initially housed in Crates from 3days pre-Farrowing until day 4 of lactation, after which they were loose within a pen until weaning at 28days ( N =16 sows and 178 piglets born). The objective was to compare the behaviour of sows and piglets in Crates and pens during days 1–6 post-Farrowing. Sows in both systems spent the majority of their time lying (88–94% of the time in Crates, and 72–94% of the time in pens) and there was no difference between Crates and pens for the amount of time sows spent standing ( P = 0.20), sitting ( P = 0.63), or lying ( P = 0.45) during days 1–6. Sows in pens investigated ( P = 0.03) and touched ( P P =0.04). The current study demonstrated that the Farrowing system design can influence sow behaviour, with pens allowing for more interactions between sows and their piglets.
-
Sow and piglet productivity and sow reproductive performance in Farrowing pens with temporary crating or Farrowing Crates on a commercial New Zealand pig farm
Livestock Science, 2015Co-Authors: Kirsty L. Chidgey, Patrick C. H. Morel, Kevin J. Stafford, Ian W. BarughAbstract:Abstract The use of a pen during lactation provides sows with more space so they can turn around freely. They are an alternative to the physically and behaviourally more restrictive Farrowing Crates. Previous studies have compared data from multiple pork production units using different Farrowing accommodation types. This study was carried out on one commercial pig farm using two lactation systems. The objective was to examine the effect that the accommodation (pens with temporary crating until 4 days postpartum, or Farrowing Crates for the duration of lactation) had on the productivity of sows and piglets. Performance data was obtained from 394 sows (4706 live born piglets) in combination pens, and 338 sows (3987 live born piglets) in Crates over 14 Farrowing batches. Pre-weaning piglet mortality (PWM%) was significantly higher in the pen system (10.23%) than in the crate system (6.10%) (P
