Organization of replacements V
On many farms the introduction of gilts is not homogenous. However, the introduction of a similar number of gilts to each productive batch would be ideal. How can we do this?
Page 40 of articles about sow
Playing and fighting by piglets around weaning on farms, employing individual or group housing of lactating sows
We assessed how piglets play, fighting and biting behaviour before and after weaning were affected by the housing system and weaning age as well as how the three behaviours are related to each other and piglet post-weaning weight gain.
Farrowing programming II
The gestation period in the majority of sows is usually around 113 to 115 days. However, a percentage of sows can farrow normally up to 3 days before or after.
Comparison between computerised liquid feeding and ad libitum dry feeding for sows during lactation
Liquid feeding during lactation may increase feed intake without affecting piglet performance
Intra-uterine insemination with low numbers of frozen–thawed boar spermatozoa in spontaneous and induced ovulating sows under field conditions
The present study was conducted to evaluate non-return rate (NR), farrowing rate (FR), and number of total pigs born/litter (TB) of weaned sows after intra-uterine insemination (IUI) using low numbers of frozen–thawed (FT) spermatozoa.
Post-weaning Altrenogest treatment in primiparous sows; the effect of duration and dosage on follicular development and consequences for early pregnancy
Post-weaning treatment with Altrenogest of first litter sows influenced follicle size and shortened the follicular phase, but did not affect ovulation rate or early embryonic development.
Australia - Sow stalls under review
Australia's pork industry will consider scrapping the use of sow stalls as long as it gets support from governments and retailers.
Proportion of the litter farrowed, litter size, and progesterone and estradiol effects on piglet birth intervals and stillbirths
Stillbirth in swine ranges from 2 to 9%, resulting in a significant loss of piglets. Previous studies clearly indicate a relationship between prolonged birth intervals and stillbirth, but factors influencing birth intervals are not fully known. To characterize birth intervals and stillbirth, farrowing was recorded during three farrowing seasons.
Australia - Tasmania leads the nation in welfare of pigs
The Minister for Primary Industries Bryan Green announced that Tasmania will lead the nation by moving to ban the use of dry sow stalls in piggeries.
Thawing boar semen in the presence of seminal plasma: Effects on sperm quality and fertility
The present studies confirm an adverse effect of inseminating FT sperm on sperm quality and sow fertility but suggest that thawing FT sperm in 50% SP may partially alleviate these adverse effects.
Environmental and sow-related factors affecting the duration of farrowing
Allowing the sow to move freely before farrowing, reducing the constipation state and avoid excessive fattening during late pregnancy all appear to be key factors in shortening farrowing time and reducing perinatal mortality.
Organization of the replacements III
In the previous chapter we began to describe several systems for recording clearly and quickly the dates that gilts come into heat and for planning gilt service.
A flooring comparison: The impact of rubber mats on the health, behavior, and welfare of group-housed sows at breeding
The provision of alternative comfort flooring may provide welfare benefits to breeding sows, though environmental temperature needs to be considered when providing rubber mats.
European Commission will not allow a delay in implementation of the ban on the use of individual sow stalls
In a letter responding to Eurogroup’s request for a clarification of the EU’s current position, the director of the Commission’s animal welfare department informs Eurogroup that the Commission “has no intention” to delay the entry into force of the ban on sow stalls in 2012, which was introduced in 2001 and is included in Directive 2008/120/EC on the protection of pigs.
Relationships between colostrum production by primiparous sows and sow physiology around parturitio
Relationships between hormonal and metabolic changes around parturition and colostrum yield and composition were investigated in 16 Landrace x Large White primiparous sows.
Australia - Tasmania: Changes to pig farming proposed
A state government committee is pushing for a major overhaul of Tasmania's pig farming regulations.
The Animal Welfare Advisory Committee is urging the government to ban the use of sow stalls, or cages, due to concerns about animal welfare.