Animal behavior can be an indicator of animal productivity and well-being, and thus an indicator of how animals respond to changes in their biophysical environment. This study monitored the behaviors of sows and piglets in a commercial setting utilizing an autonomous machine vision system. The objectives of this research were to: (1) implement a digital and time-of-flight depth imaging system, (2) develop a process with minimal user input to analyze the collected images, and (3) calculate the hourly and daily posture and behavior budgets of sows housed in individual farrowing stalls. Depth sensors were centered above each stall in three farrowing rooms (20 sows per room) and controlled by mini-PCs, acquiring images continuously at 0.2 FPS. Data files were transmitted via Ethernet cable to a switch, then to a 50 TB disk station for storage. Recorded image data were subsequently analyzed to quantify sow posture budgets and behaviors using a computer processing algorithm. Algorithm classifications were compared to those of trained human labelers with sow posture classified correctly >99.2% (sitting: 99.4%, standing: 99.2%, kneeling: 99.7%, lying: 99.9%). Specificity and sensitivity parameters for posture classifications were 2 >84.6%, with the exception of lower specificity for kneeling (20.5%). When lying, direction (sow lying on left or right side of body) was classified with an accuracy of 96.2%. Sows that were not lying were also labeled with a behavior, including feeding (97.0% accuracy), drinking behavior (96.8% accuracy), and other behavior (95.5% accuracy). Each non-lying behavior label had specificity >88.3% and sensitivity >77.4%. This autonomous system enables acquisition of a large amount of replicated data to evaluate the effects of changing the farrowing environment on sow behavior and potentially well-being.

Most farrowing facilities in the United States use stalls and heat lamps to improve sow and piglet productivity. This study investigated these factors by comparing production outcomes for three different farrowing stall layouts (traditional, expanded creep area, expanded sow area) and use of one or two heat lamps. Data were collected on 427 sows and their litters over one year. Results showed no statistical differences due to experimental treatment for any of the production metrics recorded, excluding percent stillborn. Parity one sows had fewer piglets born alive (p < 0.001), lower percent mortality (p = 0.001) and over-lay (p = 0.003), and a greater number of piglets weaned (p < 0.001) with lower average daily weight gain (ADG) (p < 0.001) and more uniform litters (p = 0.001) as compared to higher parity sows. Farrowing turn, associated with group/seasonal changes, had a significant impact on most of the production metrics measured. Number of piglets born influenced the percent stillborn (p < 0.001). Adjusted litter size had a significant impact on percent mortality (p < 0.001), percent over-lay (p < 0.001), and number of piglets weaned (p < 0.001). As the number of piglets weaned per litter increased, both piglet ADG and litter uniformity decreased (p < 0.001). This information can be used to guide producers in farrowing facility design.

The complex environment surrounding young pigs reared in intensive housing systems directly influences their productivity and livelihood. Much of the seminal literature utilized housing and husbandry practices that have since drastically evolved through advances in genetic potential, nutrition, health, and technology. This review focuses on the environmental interaction and responses of pigs during the first 8 wk of life, separated into pre-weaning (creep areas) and post-weaning (nursery or wean-finish) phases. Further, a perspective on instrumentation and precision technologies for animal-based (physiological and behavioral) and environmental measures documents current approaches and future possibilities. A warm microclimate for piglets during the early days of life, especially the first 12 h, is critical. While caretaker interventions can mitigate the extent of hypothermia, low birth weight remains a dominant risk factor for mortality. Post-weaning, the thermoregulation capabilities have improved, but subsequent transportation, nutritional, and social stressors enhance the requisite need for a warm, low draft environment with the proper flooring. A better understanding of the individual environmental factors that affect young pigs as well as the creation of comprehensive environment indices or improved, non-contact sensing technology is needed to better evaluate and manage piglet environments. Such enhanced understanding and evaluation of pig–environment interaction could lead to innovative environmental control and husbandry interventions to foster healthy and productive pigs.

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To combat the stress of weaning, we utilized novel gruel creep feeders to supplement suckling pigs with divergent soluble (n = 6 litters) versus insoluble (n = 6) diets compared with un-supplemented controls (n = 6). Post-weaning, pigs were fed a common phase 1 diet. Average daily weight gains of pigs fed soluble and insoluble creep diets were 53% and 17% greater than control pigs, respectively (p < 0.01). Creep intake was higher (82%) for pigs fed the soluble diet, and the accompanying weight increase was sustained post-weaning (p < 0.02). Villus measures were prematurely altered in soluble-creep-fed pigs (p < 0.01), with decreases in villi length, crypt depth, and villus area pre-weaning. No effects of treatment were detected for VFA concentrations and pH in the cecum. There was an interaction between treatment and age for several pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines (p < 0.01), where soluble-creep-fed pigs had increased cytokine levels with age, whereas cytokine levels in the insoluble and control groups decreased over time. We conclude that a soluble creep diet fed in a gruel state during the pre-weaning period has a positive impact on weaning weight that is sustained post-weaning, and is accompanied by alterations in the intestinal health of young pigs.