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The effect of floor type on ammonia emission, welfare, health and behaviour of growing pigs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 February 2018

K. Breuer ,
R.M. Kay ,
T.G.M. Demmers  and
J.E.L. Day
K. Breuer
Affiliation:
ADAS Pig Research Unit, Terrington St. Clement, King's Lynn, Norfolk, PE34 4PW, UK, Email: kate.breuer@adas.co.uk
R.M. Kay
Affiliation:
ADAS Pig Research Unit, Terrington St. Clement, King's Lynn, Norfolk, PE34 4PW, UK, Email: kate.breuer@adas.co.uk
T.G.M. Demmers
Affiliation:
Silsoe Research Institute, Wrest Park, Silsoe, Bedford, MK45 4HS, UK
J.E.L. Day
Affiliation:
ADAS Pig Research Unit, Terrington St. Clement, King's Lynn, Norfolk, PE34 4PW, UK, Email: kate.breuer@adas.co.uk
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Abstract

In order to reduce ammonia emissions from pig housing systems, the Council of Europe proposes the use of part slatted flooring in preference to fully slatted flooring, but the effects of such changes on the health and welfare of pigs in the UK has not been defined. The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effects of different floor types on the emission of ammonia, behaviour and welfare, physical performance and respiratory and enteric health of growing/finishing pigs. This involved three replications of five treatments: 1) UK fully-slatted, 2) UK fully–slatted with rubber matting over 50% of the slats, 3) UK fully–slatted with “structural” modifications which involved “paving” over 50% of the floor and partitioning off the slurry channel beneath the solid floor, 4) UK part–slatted, and 5) novel Dutch partslatted with UK pig stocking density. Groups of 10 pigs (balanced for gender) weighing approximately 40kg were on–test for 10 weeks.

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Posters
Information
BSAP Occasional Publication , Volume 31: The Appliance of Pig Science , 2004 , pp. 157 - 163
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Production 2014

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