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Loose farrowing systems: challenges and solutions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 January 2023

B Wechsler  and
R Weber
B Wechsler*
Affiliation:
Swiss Federal Veterinary Office, Centre for Proper Housing of Ruminants and Pigs, Agroscope Reckenholz-Tänikon Research Station ART, 8356 Ettenhausen, Switzerland School of Psychology, University of Exeter, Washington Singer Laboratories, Exeter EX4 4QG, UK
R Weber
Affiliation:
Agroscope Reckenholz-Tänikon Research Station ART, Centre for Proper Housing of Ruminants and Pigs, 8356 Ettenhausen, Switzerland
*
* Contact for correspondence and requests for reprints: Beat.Wechsler@art.admin.ch
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Abstract

The use of farrowing crates is increasingly questioned from an animal welfare point of view. Even so, since a number of attempts to develop loose farrowing systems have been unsuccessful, leading to high levels of piglet mortality due in the main to crushing, many farmers remain sceptical as to whether or not alternative systems can be viable. On the other hand, several European countries have introduced legislation requiring loose farrowing systems, thus promoting research into this type of housing and allowing for performance studies based on large samples of commercial farms. As a consequence of these recent developments, we think it timely to reconsider the evidence available on loose farrowing systems. In our review, we first address the normal peri-parturient behaviour of domestic pigs, as well as studies comparing behaviour and stress physiology in sows kept in both crates and loose systems during farrowing. We then review approaches taken to develop alternative farrowing systems in different countries, and focus lastly on pen, piglet and sow characteristics that contribute to piglet survival in loose farrowing systems. Taking scientific evidence as well as practical experience into account, we conclude that piglet mortality in loose farrowing systems need not exceed that of crate systems. To obtain good performance results, sows due to farrow should be kept individually in sufficiently large pens, structured for preference into a nest area and an activity area. Furthermore, both management and breeding aspects, resulting in high piglet viability and good maternal behaviour, are essential to achieve high production in loose farrowing systems.

Keywords

animal welfarebehaviourfarrowing sowlegislationpen designpiglet mortality
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Welfare , Volume 16 , Issue 3 , August 2007 , pp. 295 - 307
Copyright
© 2007 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

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