A comparison of postural changes and maternal responsiveness during early lactation in Landrace and Minpig sows

Effect of pre- and post-partum sow activity on maternal behaviour and piglet weight gain 24h after birth

“…In contrast, more post-postural changes were associated with a shorter duration of parturition and a higher response towards playbacks with piglet screams. In our study the higher response towards piglets distress calls may have prevented fatal crushing (Weary et al, 1996a;Andersen et al, 2005;Cui et al, 2011), even when sows had more post-postural changes. It would be helpful to conduct a meta-analysis to analyse the effect of post-partum postural changes during the first 24 h on piglet survival and piglet weight gain in different studies.…”

Does the presence of shoulder ulcers affect the behaviour of sows?

“…Standing while moving legsUpright body position on extended legs, at least one leg is moving leading to a horizontal movement of the position of the body(Cui et al, 2011). SittingSitting like a dog, hind quarter and caudal end touching the floor, hind legs folded, front legs erect to support the body(Cui et al, 2011). Kneeling Both forelegs bended and bear weight on the knees.…”

“…of the head, right scapular and waist touch the floor and all legs are visible(Cui et al, 2011).Left lateral recumbencyLeft side of the head, left scapular and waist touch the floor and all legs are visible(Cui et al, 2011). Ventral recumbencyChest and abdomen touch the floor, the front legs are stretched or folded under the body(Cui et al, 2011).Active posturesStanding still Upright body position on extended and frozen legs or maximum one leg moving without changing the position of the body(Cui et al, 2011).…”

“…Ventral recumbencyChest and abdomen touch the floor, the front legs are stretched or folded under the body(Cui et al, 2011).Active posturesStanding still Upright body position on extended and frozen legs or maximum one leg moving without changing the position of the body(Cui et al, 2011). Standing while moving legsUpright body position on extended legs, at least one leg is moving leading to a horizontal movement of the position of the body(Cui et al, 2011). SittingSitting like a dog, hind quarter and caudal end touching the floor, hind legs folded, front legs erect to support the body(Cui et al, 2011).…”

Equipping Farrowing Pens with Straw Improves Maternal Behavior and Physiology of Min-Pig Hybrid Sows

“…Breeds differ in their maternal ability and selection toward better maternal behavior can increase the survival rate of piglets. As an indigenous pig breed in northeastern China, the Minzhu (Min pig) has favorable characteristics in both reproductive performance (14.35 piglets per birth) and maternal ability [23,24]. Therefore, to utilize the maternal advantages of the Min pig, crosses (Landrace × Min pigs (LM), Duroc × Min pigs (DM), and Landrace × Large White (LY)) were used in this study.…”