Pen Versus Crate: A Comparative Study on the Effects of Different Farrowing Systems on Farrowing Performance, Colostrum Yield and Piglet Preweaning Mortality in Sows under Tropical Conditions

Abstract

The present study was performed to determine the farrowing performance of sows, newborn piglet characteristics, colostrum yield, milk yield and piglet preweaning mortality in a free-farrowing pen compared to a conventional farrowing crate system in a tropical environment. A total of 92 sows and 1344 piglets were included in the study. The sows were allocated by parity into two farrowing systems, either a free-farrowing pen (n = 54 sows and 805 piglets) or a crate (n = 38 sows and 539 piglets). Backfat thickness and loin muscle depth of sows at 109.0 ± 3.0 days of gestation were measured. Reproductive performance data including total number of piglets born (TB), number of piglets born alive (BA), percentage of stillborn piglets (SB) and percentage of mummified foetuses (MF) per litter, farrowing duration, piglet expulsion interval, time from onset of farrowing to the last placental expulsion, piglet preweaning mortality rate, percentage of piglets crushed by sows and number of piglets at weaning were analysed. In addition, piglet colostrum intake, colostrum yield, Brix index and milk yield of sows were evaluated. On average, TB, BA, farrowing duration, colostrum yield and milk yield during 3 to 10 and 10 to 17 days of lactation were 14.7 ± 2.8, 12.8 ± 3.1, 213.2 ± 142.2 min, 5.3 ± 1.4 kg, 8.6 ± 1.5 kg, and 10.4 ± 2.2 kg, respectively. Sows kept in the free-farrowing pen tended to produce more colostrum than crated sows (5.5 ± 0.2 vs. 4.9 ± 0.2 kg, p = 0.080). Piglets born in the free-farrowing pen had a higher colostrum intake than those in the crate system (437.0 ± 6.9 and 411.7 ± 8.3 g, p = 0.019). However, the piglet preweaning mortality rate (26.8 ± 2.9 vs. 17.0 ± 3.8, p = 0.045) and the proportion of piglets crushed by sows (13.1 ± 2.1 vs. 5.8 ± 2.7, p = 0.037) in the free-farrowing pen were higher than those in the crate system. Interestingly, in the free-farrowing pen, piglet preweaning mortality rate in sows with high backfat thickness was higher than that in sows with moderate (37.8 ± 5.1% vs. 21.6 ± 3.6%, p = 0.011) and low (21.0 ± 6.2%, p = 0.038) backfat thickness. Moreover, the incidence of crushing in sows with high backfat thickness was higher in the free-farrowing pen than in the crate system (17.6 ± 3.6 vs. 4.0 ± 5.7, p = 0.049), but this difference was not detected for sows with moderate and low backfat thickness (p > 0.05). Milk yield of sows during 3 to 10 days (8.6 ± 0.2 vs. 8.6 ± 2.3, p > 0.05) and 10 to 17 days (10.2 ± 0.3 vs. 10.4 ± 0.4, p > 0.05) did not differ between the two farrowing systems. In conclusion, piglets born in the free-farrowing pen had a higher colostrum intake than those in the crate system. However, the piglet preweaning mortality rate and the proportion of piglets crushed by sows in the free-farrowing pen were higher than in the crate system. Interestingly, a high proportion of piglet preweaning mortality in the free-farrowing system was detected only in sows with high backfat thickness before farrowing but not in those with low and moderate backfat thickness. Therefore, additional management in sows with high backfat thickness (>24 mm) before farrowing should be considered to avoid the crushing of piglets by sows.

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

“…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).…”

“…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). Earlier research has shown that the average farrowing duration in a free‐farrowing system, featuring a space of 5.59 m 2 , a partially slatted floor and provisions for rooting and nest‐building material, was at least 73 min shorter compared to several studies that reported farrowing durations for multiparous sows housed in conventional farrowing crates, which ranged from 333 to 500 min (Trachsel et al., 2021).…”

“…A recent study has shown that sows kept in free‐farrowing pens under tropical climates tend to produce more colostrum than sows in crated environments (Dumniem et al., 2023). However, despite the benefits of increased colostrum production, the piglet preweaning mortality rate and the proportion of piglets overlain by sows were found to be higher in the free‐farrowing pens compared to the crate system (Dumniem et al., 2023). Therefore, before implementing free‐farrowing pens in large‐scale swine industries under tropical conditions, it is crucial to acquire more knowledge about piglet characteristics.…”

“…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).…”

“…Conversely, in farrowing crates, this nose contact is often severely restricted or entirely absent. A recent study has shown that sows kept in free‐farrowing pens under tropical climates tend to produce more colostrum than sows in crated environments (Dumniem et al., 2023). However, despite the benefits of increased colostrum production, the piglet preweaning mortality rate and the proportion of piglets overlain by sows were found to be higher in the free‐farrowing pens compared to the crate system (Dumniem et al., 2023).…”