Factors Associated with Farrowing Duration in Hyperprolific Sows in a Free Farrowing System under Tropical Conditions

Abstract

The ongoing selection for increased litter size has had significant impacts on sow husbandry practice. The present study investigated factors associated with farrowing duration and the proportion of sows that had prolonged farrowing in modern hyperprolific sows kept in a free farrowing system in a tropical environment. Farrowing data from 2493 Landrace x Yorkshire cross-bred sows in a commercial swine herd in Thailand were included in the study. The time of farrowing, parity number, litter size, and the birth status of each piglet were recorded. Farrowing duration was analysed using multiple analyses of variance. Total number of piglets born per litter (TB), parity, and time onset of farrowing were included in the statistical models. On average, TB, piglets born alive, and farrowing duration were 13.7, 12.1, and 221.0 min, respectively. Of these sows, 26.4% had TB ≥ 16 and 21.7% had a prolonged farrowing duration (≥300 min). Farrowing duration was positively correlated with TB (r = 0.141, p < 0.001), percentage of stillborn (SB) piglets per litter (r = 0.259, p < 0.001), percentage of mummified foetuses (MF) per litter (r = 0.049, p = 0.015), piglet birth weight (r = 0.068, p < 0.001), and litter birth weight (r = 0.041, p = 0.043). The proportion of SB per litter was higher and piglet birth weight lower in litters that had ≥16 TB than those with 8–12 TB (p < 0.05). The farrowing duration of sows with parity numbers 5–7 (247.7 ± 5.1 min) and 8–10 (237.1 ± 5.1 min) was longer than that of sows with parity numbers 1 (188.3 ± 5.2 min) and 2–4 (214.3 ± 3.9 min) (p < 0.05). Sows that had started farrowing during working hours had longer farrowing durations (229.3 ± 3.6 min) than those that had started farrowing during non-working hours (217.6 ± 3.4 min, p = 0.017). In multiparous sows, the duration of farrowing was positively correlated with the maximum temperature (r = 0.056, p = 0.012) and the maximum temperature–humidity index (r = 0.059, p = 0.008) in the 7 days before farrowing. The present data confirm that TB, sow parity, and time of onset of farrowing are significant risk factors for a prolonged farrowing.

Backfat Thickness at Pre-Farrowing: Indicators of Sow Reproductive Performance, Milk Yield, and Piglet Birth Weight in Smart Farm-Based Systems

“…It is associated with the total number of piglets born. This is positively associated with the total number of piglets born [13,45], sow parity number [46], housing environment [40], and breeds [47,48].…”

Factors affecting birth weight and stillbirth in sows housed in a tropical environment

“…This relationship can be attributed to factors associated with litter size, such as the duration of farrowing and the birth weight of piglets. In a previous study conducted by Adi et al (2022), TB was found to be positively correlated with the duration of farrowing, indicating that sows with larger litter sizes experienced longer farrowing durations compared to those with smaller litter sizes. Consequently, during prolonged farrowing in sows with higher litter sizes, more piglets may experience asphyxia and perish intrapartum, leading to an increased proportion of stillborn piglets.…”

“…Additionally, low body condition scores in old sows may be related to certain diseases or reproductive exhaustion, increasing the risk of stillbirth (Rangstrup-Christensen et al, 2017). Moreover, a previous study demonstrated that older sows had a longer farrowing duration compared to young ones (Adi et al, 2022). Mota-Rojas et al (2022) reported that old sows (i.e.…”

“…The pig industry has seen the introduction of a free‐farrowing system, replacing the conventional farrowing crates (Dumniem et al., 2023). This system is designed to offer sows more space to express their natural behaviour and specific movement during the peripartum period (Sánchez‐Salcedo & Yáñez‐Pizaña, 2022) and has been adopted in Thailand in recent years (Adi et al., 2022; Dumniem et al., 2023). However, concerns about animal welfare, sow reproductive performance and piglet survival rate still persist, as the practical application of the free‐farrowing system has been associated with increased piglet mortality before weaning (Andersen et al., 2014; Ceballos et al., 2021; Dumniem et al., 2023).…”

A review on the effect of light–thermal–humidity environment in sow houses on sow reproduction and welfare

“…Table 11 lists the main conclusions of some studies on the comprehensive effect of thermal–humidity environment on sows. According to Table 11, the rectal temperature, oestrus rate, ovulation rate and conception rate of sows were not significantly affected by humidity under the relative humidity of more than 80% (Adi et al, 2022; Renaudeau, Anais, & Noblet, 2003; Renaudeau, Noblet, & Dourmad, 2003; Teague et al, 1968). However, the decrease of sow feed intake and weight gain was more significantly affected by relative humidity under the high temperature of more than 27.5°C.…”