Genetic aspects for the behaviour of lactating sows towards humans

Kecman, Jelena; Neu, J.; Göres, N.; Voss, Barbara L.; Rosner, Frank; Kemper, Nicole; Swalve, Hermann H.

doi:10.1016/j.animal.2022.100559

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…There is a genetic root to the reactivity of pigs ( 46 , 88 ). Even newborns that are naïve could behave like their dam—more reactive sows, more reactive piglets—and we could assume that piglets could thereby be more able to avoid being crushed by their dam.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of image-based sow activity patterns reveals several associations with piglet survival and early growth

et al. 2023

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An activity pattern describes variations in activities over time. The objectives of this study are to automatically predict sow activity from computer vision over 11 days peripartum and estimate how sow behavior influences piglet's performance during early lactation. The analysis of video images used the convolutional neural network (CNN) YOLO for sow detection and posture classification of 21 Large White and 22 Meishan primiparous sows housed in individual farrowing pens. A longitudinal analysis and a clustering method were combined to identify groups of sows with a similar activity pattern. Traits under study are as follows: (i) the distribution of time spent daily in different postures and (ii) different activities while standing. Six postures were included along with three classes of standing activities, i.e., eating, drinking, and other, which can be in motion or not and root-pawing or not. They correspond to a postural budget and a standing-activity budget. Groups of sows with similar changes in their budget over the period (D-3 to D-1; D0 and D1–D7) were identified with the k-means clustering method. Next, behavioral traits (time spent daily in each posture, frequency of postural changes) were used as explanatory variables in the Cox proportional hazards model for survival and in the linear model for growth. Piglet survival was influenced by sow behavior on D-1 and during the period D1–D7. Piglets born from sows that were standing and doing an activity other than drinking and eating on D-1 had a 26% lower risk of dying than other piglets. Those born from sows that changed posture more frequently on D1–D7 had a 44% lower risk of dying. The number of postural changes, which illustrate sow restlessness, influenced piglet growth in the three periods. The average daily gain of piglets born from sows that were more restless on D1–D7 and that changed posture more frequently to hide their udder on D0 decreased by 22 and 45 g/d, respectively. Conversely, those born from sows that changed posture more frequently to hide their udder during the period of D1–D7 grew faster (+71 g/d) than the other piglets. Sow restlessness at different time periods influenced piglet performance.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of image-based sow activity patterns reveals several associations with piglet survival and early growth

et al. 2023

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“…Another desirable trait in FF sows is lack of aggression toward people, since stockperson safety is an important consideration (Section Stockperson safety and time management). Recent work ( 77 , 78 ) developed tests characterizing the behavior of lactating sows toward humans in alternative systems. Behavioral traits derived from these tests could be used as new phenotypes for the genetic selection of gentle and easy-to-handle sows.…”

Section: Tier 1 Stakeholder Needs and Considerationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transitioning from crates to free farrowing: A roadmap to navigate key decisions

et al. 2022

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There are animal welfare concerns about the continued use of permanent crating systems for farrowing and lactating sows, which is the most prevalent maternity system in global pig production. Greater societal attention in recent years has culminated in changes (or proposed changes) to regulations as well as market-driven initiatives to move away from crated systems. Transitioning from farrowing crates to systems that allow the sow greater freedom of movement and behavioral expression requires a number of key decisions, with various trade-offs apparent when trying to balance the needs of different stakeholders. This review discusses these decisions based on common questions asked by farmers, policy makers and other stakeholders when deciding on a new system to build/approve. Based on the latest scientific evidence and practical insight, decisions such as: whether to retrofit an existing barn or build a new one, what spatial dimensions are necessary per sow place, whether to adopt free farrowing or temporary crating, how to provide substrate/enrichment and be hygienic and environmentally friendly, and how to optimize the human inputs and transition between systems are considered. The aim of this paper is to provide a roadmap for those interested in uptake of higher welfare systems and practices, as well as to highlight areas requiring further optimization and research.

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A note on sows' behaviour towards humans during lactation in farrowing pens with short-term fixation and its effects on piglet mortality

et al. 2023

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Genetic aspects for the behaviour of lactating sows towards humans

Cited by 4 publications

References 23 publications

Analysis of image-based sow activity patterns reveals several associations with piglet survival and early growth

Analysis of image-based sow activity patterns reveals several associations with piglet survival and early growth

Transitioning from crates to free farrowing: A roadmap to navigate key decisions

A note on sows' behaviour towards humans during lactation in farrowing pens with short-term fixation and its effects on piglet mortality

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