0
The aim of the present study was to determine risk factors for lameness development within the first days of group-housing, with a focus on housing conditions, management and post-mixing aggression in sows.
A longitudinal study on 15 randomly selected herds was performed to investigate the incidence of sow lameness and possible risk factors within the first days of group-housing. Each herd was visited just before and again three to five days after sows were moved to the gestation unit (i.e. group-housing). Dimensions and quality of the housing environment of group-housing were assessed. Of each sow, locomotion, body condition, skin lesions and dirtiness were scored. Information on housing and management was obtained using a questionnaire. In total, 810 sows were included.
The median incidence of lameness in each herd was 13.1% (0 - 27.3). Sows with more than 10% of the body covered with manure showed an increased risk for lameness development (OR = 2.33, P = 0.001). An increase of space allowance from 1.8 m² to 3 m² (OR = 0.40, P = 0.03) and of the herd size from 144 to 750 sows per herd (OR = 0.71, P = 0.02) decreased the risk for lameness development. The degree of aggression, indicated by skin lesions, nor the floor characteristics influenced lameness development.
These results indicate that lameness may not be increased by post-mixing aggression and sows may benefit from a higher floor area. More research is necessary to define the optimal space allowance to prevent sow lameness. Further focused studies should investigate the influential factors of the association between sow dirtiness and farm size on the one hand, and lameness development on the other hand.
Pluym L., Van Nuffel A., Van Weyenberg S., Maes D. Risk factors for lameness development in sows within the first days of group-housing. 6th European Symposium of Porcine Health Management. 2014.
