Risk factors associated with leg disorders of gestating sows in different group-housing systems: A cross-sectional study in 108 farrow-to-finish farms in France

Cador, Charlie; Pol, Françoise; Hamoniaux, M.; Dorenlor, V.; Éveno, É.; Guyomarc'h, C.; Rose, Nicolas

doi:10.1016/j.prevetmed.2014.05.004

Cited by 29 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…This corresponds well with findings reported previously by Anil et al (2009) and Cador et al (2014). Cador et al (2014) found more sows with leg problems in large groups and in electronic sow feeding (ESF) systems than in small groups with walk-in, lock-in stalls (WLS). Furthermore, within a particular housing system, the level of injuries to the animals is influenced by animal flow and group management (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

“…Since group housing of pregnant sows is now compulsory in the entire EU (EU, 2008), there is a need for better flooring types and management systems to avoid the risk of increasing claw problems in the future. In particular, group housing of sows on fully or partly slatted concrete floors without or with limited amounts of bedding is known to be linked to claw problems (Cador et al, 2014;Ehlorsson et al, 2002;Heinonen et al, 2013;Olsson and Svendsen, 2002;. The present study showed that increased animal social and agonistic activity in such housing systems exacerbates the problems.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 47%

“…Several studies have concluded that claw lesions are more frequent in group housing than in individual housing (Anil et al, 2007;Cador et al, 2014;Pluym et al, 2011). Since group housing of pregnant sows is now compulsory in the entire EU (EU, 2008), there is a need for better flooring types and management systems to avoid the risk of increasing claw problems in the future.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…through injuries of the claw capsule including sole, wall, white line and heel or bulb (Cador et al, 2014;Enokida et al, 2011;Mustonen et al, 2011). The causes of claw lesions are complex and multifactorial, including genetics (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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An experimental model for studying claw lesions in growing female pigs

et al. 2016

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Problems with claw lesions leading to lameness are a growing concern in pig production.However, the causes and development of claw lesions are poorly understood and studies on prevention of claw lesion problems in gilts and sows are limited.This study tested a new experimental model which facilitates evaluation of the impact of different risk factors on pig feet lesions.The model consisted of using young gilts with a well-known background and promoting traumatic claw lesions for study purposes by increasing social and agonistic activity through regrouping on concrete flooring. Then claw lesions were assessed systematically and objectively on feet after slaughter. To test the model, two levels of exposure to concrete flooring were compared; normal activity in groups of gilts (no regrouping = NR) and increased activity in groups of gilts by performing several regroupings (repeated regrouping = RR).A total of 72 gilts (pairs of litter mates) in two batches, aged 4 months, were randomly distributed to the two treatments (NR and RR) in group pens (3 gilts per pen) with concrete 2 flooring. The gilts were given approximately 200 g of straw per gilt every day. At 8, 9 and 10 months of age, half the gilts (36 animals) were regrouped with each other. At 11 months of age, all gilts in both treatments were slaughtered and the left rear foot from each was removed and collected for detailed studies of claw lesions. Lesions of the heel, transition heel/toe, white line, wall and toe and over-growth of the heel were assessed on the outer and inner digit. Blind scoring of claw lesions on a scale from 0 to 3 was carried out in laboratory conditions on cleaned claws. Body lesions were also blind-scored on a scale from 0 to 3 one week after the third regrouping.The results showed claw lesions on the soft and hard horn of the claws and significantly (p=0.004) higher claw lesion score in RR gilts (0.40) than in NR gilts (0.23).It was concluded that as expected, regrouping gilts on concrete flooring resulted in both more numerous and more severe claw lesions than ungrouped gilts. Likewise, body lesion score was significantly (p<0.001) higher in RR gilts (1.71) than NR gilts (0.46).It was also concluded that the proposed model could be a successful experimental design for challenging different risk factors, e.g. flooring and management, for development of claw lesions in pigs.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 47%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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An experimental model for studying claw lesions in growing female pigs

et al. 2016

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“…Additionally, lameness is likely associated with pain and distress in the animal [28]. Lameness can be caused by several factors, ranging between limb malformation, toe lesions, trauma, different manifestations of osteochondrosis, arthritis and infected skin lesions [29][30][31]. Among these reasons, osteochondrosis is a major factor contributing to leg weakness in pigs [20,[32][33].…”

Section: Causes Of Sow's Lamenessmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lameness: a principle problem to sow longevity in breeding herds.

Supakorn¹,

Stock²,

Garay³

et al. 2018

CABI Reviews

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The objective of this article is to review causes of lameness lesions, lameness detection methods, factors affecting lameness, association between lameness and other economically important swine production traits, and treatment for lameness in swine breeding herds. Lameness in sows is an important welfare and economic challenge to pig producers. It has been reported to be the second most common reason for involuntary culling of sows which directly impacts sow longevity / sow productive lifetime. Factors affecting the prevalence and severity of gilt and sow lameness breeding herd are housing type, flooring type, toes / dewclaws management, genetic effect for feet and leg conformation, and nutrition especially mineral supplements. Sow preference and behavioral response to flooring type may be likewise be affected by lameness onset, duration, severity and location. To avoid unnecessary distress and associated financial losses, early treatment of lameness observed among the females in the gilt development unit and in the breeding herd is necessary. The key factors listed previously are the foundation to a proper prevalence strategy. However, this review shows that additional research is still needed, especially studies to accurately evaluate lameness lesions, examine nutrient requirements for optimum foot health, investigate genetic effects on feet and leg conformation, clearly define the supplemental vitamin or / and mineral levels and duration for usage. All of these factors may influence breeding herd lameness and may contribute to more consistent and comparable results from sow herd.

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