The Effect of Farrowing Housing Systems on the Reproductive Performance of Sows and the Losses of Piglets
Year | 2025 |
Cathegory | Others |
Internal link | 25059.pdf |
Abstract | The aim of the study was to analyse the reproductive performance of sows and the losses of piglets in three different systems of farrowing houses. In the conditions of the Czech Republic, farrowing cages are used in more than 95% and only limited experience with alternative farrowing cages exists on Czech farms. A total of 120 litters from the Prestice Black-Pied breed sows were included in the study.The housing systems compared were conventional farrowing cages, pens with temporary fixation, and free farrowing pens. A conventional cage has an overall area of 4.5 m2, of which 1.3 m2 is for the sow. The overall area of the combined pen is 6 m2 and of the free-farrowing pen it is 8.2 m2. The housing system significantly affected the length of pregnancy (p < 0.05). Its effect was 0.35 days shorter in the sows in the free-farrowing system than in the cage technology and 0.6 days shorter than in the temporary fixation. The total number of piglets/litter, live born and weaned piglets/litter were not significantly affected (p > 0.05). A significant effect of housing on the overall losses of piglets (p < 0.05) was found. The crushing of piglets by sows was also significantly affected by the housing system (p < 0.05), with the highest incidence found in the free-farrowing system. |
Bělková Jaroslava, Ing., Ph.D.
Karvan Svitlana
Rozkot Miroslav, Ing., CSc.
Lustyková Alena, Ing., Ph.D.
Economically and operationally suitable alternative housing for replacing cage technologies in farrowing sows while maintaining the viability of piglets
Dlouhodobý koncepční rozvoj výzkumné organizace
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