Pen housed sows with electronic feeding stations
Stage of gestation is the critical point when the sows in a pen with electronic feeding system.
Page 6 of articles about gestation
Use of special diets during the pre- and postpartum periods
The use of two different feeds for the sows in the farrowing quarters is not always easy at a logistical level.
The use of DDGS in gestating sows kept in a group-housed system or individual stalls
The use of DDGS in gestating diets may creat controversial response on animal behaviour depending on the housing system.
Intrauterine growth restricted piglets defined by their head shape ingest insufficient amounts of colostrum
The present study showed that the physiology of piglets in the colostrum period was affected by IUGR status at birth, and their intermediary metabolism was altered due to different colostrum intakes.
Main problems with pregnant sows housed in groups (II)
This article suggests some solutions to the main problems encountered in pregnancies with group housing.
Effects of day of farrowing induction and spontaneous versus induced farrowing on sow and suckling piglet performance
Under the conditions of this study, more piglets are born during unsupervised hours when sows are induced on day 116 than when sows are induced on day 113.
Main problems with pregnant sows housed in groups (I)
The two main factors that make that certain farms have not been successful adapting to the animal welfare regulations are design and handling/management.
Effects of group size and floor space allowance on grouped sows: aggression, stress, skin injuries and reproductive performance
Although the results definitely support a space allowance of 1.4 m2/sow being too small, it is not possible to give guidance on an actual space allowance at mixing that is adequate.
Reproductive failure by PCV2 infections
PCV2 may reach embryos/foetuses upon transplacental spread during viremia or upon insemination with contaminated semen.
Effect of creatine supplementation during the last week of gestation on birth intervals, stillbirth, and preweaning mortality in pigs
Creatine supplementation improved myelination and may reduce the incidence of low birth weight piglets being crushed by the dam.
Sow dietary fatty acid profile alters fat metabolism and fatty acid composition in weanling pigs
Sows fed PUFA rich diets promote FA beta-oxidation in pigs after weaning which could help the mobilization of body reserves for this critical period.
Updated scientific evidence on the welfare of gestating sows kept in different housing systems
Recent papers found similar productivity, physiology, health, and behavior among individually or grouped sows during gestation.
Health indicators of sows and offspring in sows fed genetically modified maize
There is not a clear effect of feeding genetically modified maize on sow and offspring performance.
Maternal conditions during gestation may affect milk fat composition and offspring growth
Maternal conditions during gestation and pre-birth environment may affect further growth rate in newborn pigs.
Anaemia in the sow: a cohort study to assess factors with an impact on haemoglobin concentration
There is no evidence of a relation between haemoglobin concentration and the number of total born, stillborn or number of piglets alive at three weeks and the next breeding performance.
Rapeseed meal on gestation and lactation diets on the performance of sows and their litters
The inclusion of rapeseed meal until 10% does not affect sow reproductive or litter performance.