Delaying pigs from the normal production flow is associated with health problems and poorer performance

Abstract

BackgroundDelaying pigs from advancing through the production stages could have a negative impact on their health and performance. The objective of this study was to investigate the possible implications of delaying pigs from the normal production flow on pig health and performance in a farrow-to-finish commercial farm with a self-declared All-In/All-Out (AIAO) management.ResultsThree flows of pigs were defined, flow 1 (i.e. pigs that followed the normal production flow; 8 weeks in the nursery stage, 4 weeks in the growing stage and 8 weeks in the finisher stage), flow 2 (i.e. pigs delayed 1 week from advancing to the next production stage) and flow 3 (i.e. pigs delayed >1 week from advancing to the next production stage). Flow 3 included higher proportions of pigs from first parity sows and of lighter birth weights. When the 3 flows were matched by parity and birth weight, pigs in flow 2 were 3.8 times more likely to be lame prior to slaughter compared with pigs in flow 1. Similarly, pigs in flow 3 were more likely to be lame prior to slaughter, 4.5 times more likely to present pleurisy, 3.3 times more like to present pericarditis and 4.3 times more likely to have their heart condemned at slaughter compared with pigs in flow 1. Additionally, carcasses from pigs in flow 3 were 10 kg lighter compared with carcasses from pigs in flow 1.ConclusionDelayed pigs were more affected by disease and were lighter at slaughter. Besides animal welfare issues, these findings could represent considerable economic loses for pig producers. In practice, delaying pigs from the normal production flow translates into higher feeding costs, increase number of days to slaughter and increased labour requirements reducing production efficiency for the pig operation. In farrow-to-finish farms an ‘all-forward’ policy (i.e. no pig is left behind from stage to stage and a split marketing approach is applied when sending pigs to slaughter) might be more easily adhered to.

Once small always small? To what extent morphometric characteristics and post-weaning starter regime affect pig lifetime growth performance

“…Birth [ 1 , 2 , 36 ] and weaning weight [ 3 – 6 , 36 ] have been identified as predictors of post-weaning growth. Although, piglets born light (< 1.00 kg) have a higher mortality rate [ 8 ], a higher feed conversion ratio [ 13 ] and need more time to reach market weight [ 24 ], one should discriminate between piglets that have been born light for gestational age e.g.…”

“…Slow growing pigs are more at risk to be delayed in all-in-all-out systems, resulting in remixing, increasing the potential for disease transmission, but most importantly contributing to considerable production losses (e.g. costs of feed, labour and penalties at slaughter) [ 1 ]. However, it has been suggested that some pigs born light may have the potential to compensate during suckling [ 2 ] and subsequent growth stages [ 3 – 5 ].…”

“…It is therefore important to identify which pigs are most likely to remain light throughout the production cycle and may require attention. Birth- [ 1 , 2 ] and weaning-weight [ 3 – 6 ] have been identified as predictors for post-weaning growth. Morphometric characteristics at birth predict survivability [ 7 , 8 ] and may be utilised to identify piglets that remain stunted throughout life [ 9 ], or potentially benefit from intervention strategies.…”

Cross-Fostering Implications for Pig Mortality, Welfare and Performance

“…Early cross-fostering was performed on piglets coming from larger litters with similar birth weights as non-cross fostered pigs and no negative effects on carcass yield were observed. Late cross-fostering was performed in low birth weight piglets; however, such small piglets are likely to continue to grow at a slower rate ( 42 – 44 ). It is unclear what role early cross-fostering plays in the development of ear lesions; however, our results suggest that there is some association, albeit likely an indirect link.…”

Reproductive parameters in a Banija Spotted pig breed population during breed revitalization

“…The significantly lower number of weaned piglets in comparison to TNB and NBA in young sows may be due to several factors, including inadequately developed maternal instinct (GÄDE et al, 2008). CALDERÓN DIAZ et al (2017) report that lower values of reproductive traits may be caused by inappropriate management conditions, e.g. stress before and during farrowing, lower birth weight, inappropriate care of piglets at the time of weaning, sow milk yield, and housing hygiene.…”