Freedom to Grow: Improving Sow Welfare also Benefits Piglets

Abstract

Piglet mortality, especially due to crushing, is a concern in pig production. While current systems use farrowing crates to reduce mortality, they present major animal welfare problems for the sow. This study investigated the effects of free lactation farrowing accommodation on the welfare of piglets born and reared in such accommodation when compared with conventional farrowing crates. Piglets were born to sows in one of two farrowing accommodation treatments and followed from birth to slaughter. Treatments were conventional farrowing crates (control, n = 24 litters) and free lactation pens, which were larger and allowed the sow freedom of movement both pre and post farrowing, (free, n = 22 litters) (675 total piglets). Individual weights were recorded from birth to slaughter. Hoof score was recorded at weaning. Behaviour was recorded during lactation and during the weaner stage. Pre-weaning percentage mortality was equal in treatments (free = 15.95 ± 2.31, control = 14.42 ± 2.15, p = 0.61). Final weight was influenced by treatment (p < 0.05) with pigs from free lactation pens significantly heavier at 114.73 kg compared to 110.82 kg for control pigs. Free pigs took fewer days than control pigs to reach the target weight of 105 kg (147.6 vs. 149.23 days). Throughout lactation, fewer instances of damaging behaviour (ear and tail biting) were observed in free pigs (p = 0.07). Improved growth rates and a decrease in damaging behaviours provide evidence to suggest that pigs from free lactation pens experience improved welfare when compared with control pigs.

“Mothers Should Have Freedom of Movement”—Citizens’ Attitudes Regarding Farrowing Housing Systems for Sows and Their Piglets

“…Participants’ concern for the welfare of the sow indicates that moving towards sow-friendly housing systems would be better suited to societal expectations about farrowing housing systems. In line with our results, studies have identified that improving sow welfare in loose farrowing systems has positive effects on piglet welfare and growth rates [ 41 ]. In particular, our findings suggest that consumers may not support systems that use temporary crating, i.e., the confinement of sows in crates during parturition and early postpartum.…”

Review of Temporary Crating of Farrowing and Lactating Sows

“…Pig-directed behaviors, including time spent massaging the sow and agonistic behavior toward other piglets, were both reduced when comparing TC until D5 with permanent crating ( 41 ), while manipulation of other piglets was also reduced with TC until D3 ( 51 ). In contrast, Kinane et al ( 36 ) found no difference between TC until D4 and permanent crating in interactions with the sow, interactions with other piglets or agonistic behavior, although, interestingly, there was a tendency for less tail and ear biting following crate opening. Mack et al ( 43 ) reported that piglets in permanent crating or TC spent less time touching (non-aggressive interactions) their companion piglets than in zero confinement.…”

“…Mack et al ( 43 ) reported that piglets in permanent crating or TC spent less time touching (non-aggressive interactions) their companion piglets than in zero confinement. Controlled tests of piglet fearfulness/exploration in open field, human interaction, and startle tests have generally shown no difference between piglets from TC, permanent crating, and zero-confinement systems ( 36 , 43 ). It should be noted that the TC systems in all these studies were reasonably basic, and no enrichment (e.g., straw) was provided.…”

“…Since the space available to the piglets is not changed when the sow is released from confinement, it might be anticipated that their behaviors would be less affected than those of the sow, and this has been shown to be the case for their exploratory behavior ( 36 ). However, the changed configuration of the space may give different behavioral opportunities, and the possibility for less-restricted interaction with the sow may beneficially change their social environment, since time spent playing is increased in the period following TC opening on D3 or D5 when compared to crates ( 41 , 51 ).…”

“…This may result in less fighting for teats, fewer associated lesions in face and joints, and may also contribute to a more stable teat order. Kinane et al ( 36 ) noted that piglets in a TC system were observed more often at the udder than those in a farrowing crate system. Furthermore, Chidgey et al ( 21 ) reported that piglets in pens with TC massaged the udder more when the sow was lying when loose (D4–D6) compared to when crated (D1–D3), while no difference between these periods was observed in piglets of permanently crated sows.…”