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Zeng F, Zhang S. Impacts of sow behaviour on reproductive performance: current understanding. JOURNAL OF APPLIED ANIMAL RESEARCH 2023. [DOI: 10.1080/09712119.2023.2185624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Fanwen Zeng
- Guangzhou Zoo & Guangzhou Wildlife Research Center, Guangzhou, China
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science of South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shouquan Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science of South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
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Liu X, Li H, Wang L, Zhang L, Wang L. The Effect of Sow Maternal Behavior on the Growth of Piglets and a Genome-Wide Association Study. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3753. [PMID: 38136791 PMCID: PMC10740555 DOI: 10.3390/ani13243753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Sows' maternal behavior is important for improving piglet survival and growth; thus, breeding for good mothering sows is necessary for pig production. However, there is little research on the genetic mechanism of maternal behavior. In this study, a comparative analysis of piglets' growth traits between good and bad maternal behavior groups and a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed to elucidate the impact of sows' maternal behavior on piglet growth and identify candidate genes and markers of sow's maternal behaviors. Comparing the growth traits of piglets between good and bad sows' maternal behavior groups, the results showed that the growth traits of piglets from sows with good maternal behavior were better than those from sows with bad maternal behavior and especially for the multiparous sows group, this comparative difference was significant. For the intensive study of the genetic mechanisms of sows' maternal behavior, a total of 452 sows were genotyped using the Illumina Porcine 50K SNP Chip, and 4 traits, including biting piglets (BP), crushing piglets (CP), trampling piglets (TP) and screaming test (ST), were examined. Using a GWAS, 20 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were found to be associated with these traits. Within 1 Mb upstream and downstream of the significant SNPs screened, 138 genes were obtained. After pathway enrichment and gene annotation, HIP1, FZD9 and HTR7 were identified as important candidate genes affecting sows' maternal behaviors. These findings preliminarily elucidate the genetic basis of sows' maternal behavior traits and provide candidate genes and markers for molecular breeding in pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Lixian Wang
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (X.L.); (H.L.); (L.W.); (L.Z.)
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Girardie O, Bonneau M, Billon Y, Bailly J, David I, Canario L. Analysis of image-based sow activity patterns reveals several associations with piglet survival and early growth. Front Vet Sci 2023; 9:1051284. [PMID: 36699323 PMCID: PMC9868430 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1051284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
An activity pattern describes variations in activities over time. The objectives of this study are to automatically predict sow activity from computer vision over 11 days peripartum and estimate how sow behavior influences piglet's performance during early lactation. The analysis of video images used the convolutional neural network (CNN) YOLO for sow detection and posture classification of 21 Large White and 22 Meishan primiparous sows housed in individual farrowing pens. A longitudinal analysis and a clustering method were combined to identify groups of sows with a similar activity pattern. Traits under study are as follows: (i) the distribution of time spent daily in different postures and (ii) different activities while standing. Six postures were included along with three classes of standing activities, i.e., eating, drinking, and other, which can be in motion or not and root-pawing or not. They correspond to a postural budget and a standing-activity budget. Groups of sows with similar changes in their budget over the period (D-3 to D-1; D0 and D1-D7) were identified with the k-means clustering method. Next, behavioral traits (time spent daily in each posture, frequency of postural changes) were used as explanatory variables in the Cox proportional hazards model for survival and in the linear model for growth. Piglet survival was influenced by sow behavior on D-1 and during the period D1-D7. Piglets born from sows that were standing and doing an activity other than drinking and eating on D-1 had a 26% lower risk of dying than other piglets. Those born from sows that changed posture more frequently on D1-D7 had a 44% lower risk of dying. The number of postural changes, which illustrate sow restlessness, influenced piglet growth in the three periods. The average daily gain of piglets born from sows that were more restless on D1-D7 and that changed posture more frequently to hide their udder on D0 decreased by 22 and 45 g/d, respectively. Conversely, those born from sows that changed posture more frequently to hide their udder during the period of D1-D7 grew faster (+71 g/d) than the other piglets. Sow restlessness at different time periods influenced piglet performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Océane Girardie
- UMR1388 GenPhySE, INRAE, Université de Toulouse, INPT, Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | | | | | | | - Ingrid David
- UMR1388 GenPhySE, INRAE, Université de Toulouse, INPT, Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Laurianne Canario
- UMR1388 GenPhySE, INRAE, Université de Toulouse, INPT, Castanet-Tolosan, France
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Li S, Lu C, Jia M, Zhang Z, Zhang H, Song Z, Feng S, Liu Y, Cao H. Comparison between maternal behaviors of primiparous and multiparous sows. Livest Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2022.105127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Kecman J, Neu J, Göres N, Voß B, Rosner F, Kemper N, Swalve HH. Genetic aspects for the behaviour of lactating sows towards humans. Animal 2022; 16:100559. [PMID: 35709554 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2022.100559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
With the keeping of lactating sows in loose housing systems, ensuring work safety for stockpersons is gaining importance. Aim of the present study was to develop tests characterising the behaviour of lactating sows in farrowing environments with more freedom to move. The behaviour towards humans in different management procedures was examined. Emphasis was given to integrate tests into daily routines. The study was conducted in a nucleus herd with 771 purebred Landrace sows. Data were collected from October 2016 until December 2018. Sows were kept in individual indoor pens with movable farrowing crates in which the animals were restrained from 7 days antepartum (ap) to an average of 7 days postpartum (pp). The Dummy Arm Test (DAT; 1444 observations) was used to assess the sows' reaction towards a stockperson handling the piglets around day 4 pp (closed crates). With the Towel Test (TT; 2846 observations), the reaction of sows to a novel object and an unexpected situation was assessed. The Trough Cleaning Test (TCT; 2805 observations) described the sows' response to common procedures such as trough cleaning. TT and TCT were conducted on days 3 pp (closed crates) and 10 pp (open crates). Variance components of behavioural traits were estimated univariately with a linear animal model, and genetic correlations between traits were derived using a multivariate animal model in ASreml 3.0. Most sows showed no or only a slight reaction to human interactions without attempting to attack them. However, a strong defensive reaction of sows was recorded in 4.0% (TCT), 4.5% (TT), and 10.7% (DAT) of observations. This behaviour of sows was observed more frequently in the open than in the closed pen system. Estimates of heritabilities (h2 ± SE) were h2 = 0.17 ± 0.05 for behaviour of sows towards humans (DAT), h2 = 0.19 ± 0.04 for response of sows towards unexpected situations (TT), and h2 = 0.13 ± 0.04 for reactions of animals to TCT. Genetic correlations (rg ± SE) ranged from rg = 0.59 ± 0.37 between TT and TCT to rg = 0.77 ± 0.30 between TT and DAT. Our results show that the developed tests are suitable for assessing the behaviour of sows towards humans. Behavioural traits derived from these tests could be used as new phenotypes for the genetic selection of gentle and easy-to-handle sows. The genetic correlations of all tests studied were positive indicating related reaction patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Kecman
- Animal Breeding, Institute of Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Theodor-Lieser-Str. 11, 06120 Halle, Germany.
| | - J Neu
- Institute for Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behaviour, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hannover, Germany
| | - N Göres
- Institute for Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behaviour, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hannover, Germany
| | - B Voß
- BHZP GmbH, An der Wassermühle 8, 21368 Dahlenburg, Germany
| | - F Rosner
- Animal Breeding, Institute of Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Theodor-Lieser-Str. 11, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - N Kemper
- Institute for Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behaviour, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hannover, Germany
| | - H H Swalve
- Animal Breeding, Institute of Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Theodor-Lieser-Str. 11, 06120 Halle, Germany
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Machado JD, de Freitas LS, Gonçalves FM, Feltes GL, Cobuci JA. New traits to improve the maternal ability of sows under production conditions. Livest Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2022.104948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Neu J, Göres N, Kecman J, Voß B, Rosner F, Swalve HH, Kemper N. Behavioral Observation Procedures and Tests to Characterize the Suitability of Sows for Loose-Housed Farrowing Systems. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11092547. [PMID: 34573512 PMCID: PMC8466909 DOI: 10.3390/ani11092547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In this study, different behavior tests were developed and applied to characterize the behavior of sows against humans and piglets in systems with short-term fixation only. In loose-housed sows, it is of extreme importance that the sows neither attack the stockpersons nor crush their piglets through carelessness. Selecting the sows for the respective traits might show positive effects in a successful realization of these husbandry systems. For example, the Dummy Arm Test simulated catching the piglets. In the Towel Test, the general reaction to unknown stress situations was tested by throwing a towel towards the sow during a resting phase. Another test simulated the emptying of the trough to simulate interaction with humans during a routine procedure. The study showed that the majority of the sows reacted calmly. Nesting and lying behavior were also analyzed, as was the behavior of sows when their litters returned after a short separation. This study showed that the behavioral observation procedures and designed tests are suitable to characterize sows’ behavior towards humans and piglets with regard to traits that are particularly important in systems without fixation. Abstract The objective of the study was to evaluate behavioral observation procedures and tests to characterize sows’ behavior for their suitability for free farrowing systems. Nest building activity (NB), lying-down behavior (LDB), and position after lying down (PLD) were assessed. Four tests were designed to characterize the reaction of sows to a novel object and an unexpected situation (Towel Test, TT), behavior towards humans (Dummy Arm Test, DAT; Trough Cleaning Test, TCT), and behavior towards piglets (Reunion Test, RT). The study was performed on a nucleus farm in 37 batches including 771 purebred landrace sows housed in farrowing pens with short-term fixation. The assessment of NB started 2 days before the expected date of the farrowing. In 56.2% of the observations, the sows showed increased chewing activity on gunnysacks. The LDB and PLD were assessed on days 3 and 19 post partum (p.p.). In 49.1% of the observations, sows showed careful lying-down behavior. In 50.1% of cases, sows preferred the stomach-teats-position when lying down. With the DAT on day 4 p.p., in 89.3% of observations, no or only slight reactions of the sow were documented. The TT and TCT were performed on days 3 and 10 p.p. Strong defensive reactions of animals towards humans were recorded in 4.5% of the observations in the TT, and in 4.0% of the observations in the TCT. In the RT on day 3 p.p., in 61.8%, a joyful response of the sows to the reunion with their piglets was observed. This study showed that the behavioral observation procedures and designed tests are suitable to characterize sows’ behavior towards humans and piglets with regard to traits that are particularly important in systems without fixation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Neu
- Institute for Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Animal Behavior, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 30173 Hannover, Germany; (J.N.); (N.G.)
| | - Nina Göres
- Institute for Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Animal Behavior, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 30173 Hannover, Germany; (J.N.); (N.G.)
| | - Jelena Kecman
- Institute of Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Theodor-Lieser-Str. 11, 06120 Halle, Germany; (J.K.); (F.R.); (H.H.S.)
| | - Barbara Voß
- BHZP GmbH, An der Wassermühle 8, 21368 Dahlenburg, Germany;
| | - Frank Rosner
- Institute of Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Theodor-Lieser-Str. 11, 06120 Halle, Germany; (J.K.); (F.R.); (H.H.S.)
| | - Hermann H. Swalve
- Institute of Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Theodor-Lieser-Str. 11, 06120 Halle, Germany; (J.K.); (F.R.); (H.H.S.)
| | - Nicole Kemper
- Institute for Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Animal Behavior, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 30173 Hannover, Germany; (J.N.); (N.G.)
- Correspondence:
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Canario L, Bijma P, David I, Camerlink I, Martin A, Rauw WM, Flatres-Grall L, van der Zande L, Turner SP, Larzul C, Rydhmer L. Prospects for the Analysis and Reduction of Damaging Behaviour in Group-Housed Livestock, With Application to Pig Breeding. Front Genet 2020; 11:611073. [PMID: 33424934 PMCID: PMC7786278 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.611073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Innovations in the breeding and management of pigs are needed to improve the performance and welfare of animals raised in social groups, and in particular to minimise biting and damage to group mates. Depending on the context, social interactions between pigs can be frequent or infrequent, aggressive, or non-aggressive. Injuries or emotional distress may follow. The behaviours leading to damage to conspecifics include progeny savaging, tail, ear or vulva biting, and excessive aggression. In combination with changes in husbandry practices designed to improve living conditions, refined methods of genetic selection may be a solution reducing these behaviours. Knowledge gaps relating to lack of data and limits in statistical analyses have been identified. The originality of this paper lies in its proposal of several statistical methods for common use in analysing and predicting unwanted behaviours, and for genetic use in the breeding context. We focus on models of interaction reflecting the identity and behaviour of group mates which can be applied directly to damaging traits, social network analysis to define new and more integrative traits, and capture-recapture analysis to replace missing data by estimating the probability of behaviours. We provide the rationale for each method and suggest they should be combined for a more accurate estimation of the variation underlying damaging behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurianne Canario
- GenPhySE, INRAE French National Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment, ENVT, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Piter Bijma
- Animal Breeding and Genomics, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Ingrid David
- GenPhySE, INRAE French National Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment, ENVT, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Irene Camerlink
- Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Alexandre Martin
- GenPhySE, INRAE French National Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment, ENVT, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Wendy Mercedes Rauw
- Department of Animal Breeding, National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Lisette van der Zande
- Adaptation Physiology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
- Topigs Norsvin Research Center B.V., Beuningen, Netherlands
| | - Simon P. Turner
- Scotland's Rural College, Kings Buildings, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Catherine Larzul
- GenPhySE, INRAE French National Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment, ENVT, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Lotta Rydhmer
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
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Ocepek M, Rosvold EM, Andersen-Ranberg I, Andersen IL. Can we improve maternal care in sows? Maternal behavioral traits important for piglet survival in loose-housed sow herds. J Anim Sci 2017; 95:4708-4717. [PMID: 29293724 PMCID: PMC6292299 DOI: 10.2527/jas2017.1725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2017] [Accepted: 09/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The primary objective of this survey was to investigate the relationship between qualitative maternal behavioral scores (nest building activities, sow communication, and sow carefulness), piglet mortality, and the number of weaned piglets on commercial farms with loose-housed lactating (Norsvin Landrace × Yorkshire) sows. Second, the impact of these scores on productivity compared with the physical condition of sows (movement disorders, body condition, and shoulder lesions) was assessed. Data on maternal care behaviors and physical condition were collected on 895 sows from 45 commercial farms. Farmers scored sows on their physical condition (movement disorders [MD], BCS, and shoulder lesions [SL]) and qualitative maternal care behaviors (nest building activities [NEST] prior to farrowing and sow communication [COM] and sow carefulness [CARE] after farrowing, while sows were standing and moving and just before lying down). There was a low positive correlation between NEST and COM ( = 0.10, = 0.026) and between NEST and CARE ( = 0.15, = 0.010) but a high positive correlation between COM and CARE ( = 0.57, < 0.001). Higher COM and CARE were associated with lower piglet mortality ( ˂ 0.001 and = 0.013, respectively), and a greater number of weaned piglets was associated with higher scores for NEST ( = 0.009), COM ( < 0.001), and CARE ( = 0.009). Maternal care behavior had a greater impact on piglet mortality and the number of weaned piglets than sow physical condition (MD, BCS, and SL). We tested 7 different models (combinations of behavioral scores) and compared their relative predictive accuracies using Akaike information criteria. The model including COM and CARE had the best predictive accuracy for piglet mortality/weaned piglets. There was between-sow variation in maternal care behaviors (COM and CARE), and both were unaffected by litter size. Because these behaviors were also easy to score for the farmers, combining COM and CARE has the greatest potential to be tested in nucleus herds for calculation of genetic variation and heritability and should be taken into account in future breeding programs for sows.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Ocepek
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, PO Box 5003, 1432 Ås, Norway
| | - E. M. Rosvold
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, PO Box 5003, 1432 Ås, Norway
- Nord University, PO Box 2501, 7729 Steinkjer, Norway
| | | | - I. L. Andersen
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, PO Box 5003, 1432 Ås, Norway
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Stratz P, Just A, Faber H, Bennewitz J. Genetic analyses of mothering ability in sows using field-recorded observations. Livest Sci 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2016.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Abstract
The present study examined the possibilities and consequences of selecting pigs for reduced aggression and desirable maternal behaviour. Data were recorded from 798 purebred Large White gilts, with an age of 217±17.7 (mean±SD) days, which were observed at mixing with unfamiliar conspecifics. The reaction of the sows towards separation from their litter was assessed for 2022 litters from 848 Large White sows. Sows' performance during their time in the farrowing unit was scored based on the traits farrowing behaviour (i.e. need of birth assistance), rearing performance (i.e. litter quality at day 10 postpartum (pp)), usability (i.e. additional labour input during lactation period e.g. for treatments) and udder quality of the sow (i.e. udder attachment). For agonistic behaviour, traits heritabilities of h 2=0.11±0.04 to h 2=0.28±0.06 were estimated. For the sow's reaction towards separation from her litter low heritabilities were found (h 2=0.03±0.03 for separation test on day 1 pp and h 2=0.02±0.03 for separation test on day 10 pp). Heritabilities for lactating sow's performance (farrowing behaviour, rearing performance, usability of the sow and udder quality) in the farrowing unit ranged from h 2=0.03±0.02 to h 2=0.19±0.03. Due to these results it can be assumed that selection for these traits, for example, for udder quality or reduced aggression, is possible. Antagonistic associations were found between separation test on day 1 pp and different measures of aggressiveness (r g =-0.22±0.26 aggressive attack and r g =-0.41±0.33 reciprocal fighting). Future studies should determine economic as well as welfare-related values of these traits in order to decide whether selection for these traits will be reasonable.
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Viitasaari E, Raekallio M, Heinonen M, Valros A, Peltoniemi O, Hänninen L. The effect of ketoprofen on post-partum behaviour in sows. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2014.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Kirkden RD, Broom DM, Andersen IL. Invited review: piglet mortality: management solutions. J Anim Sci 2014; 91:3361-89. [PMID: 23798524 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2012-5637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Preweaning mortality varies greatly among herds and this is partly attributed to differences in farrowing house management. In this review, we describe the various management strategies than can be adopted to decrease mortality and critically examine the evidence that exists to support their use. First, we consider which management procedures are effective against specific causes of death: intrapartum stillbirth, hypothermia, starvation, disease, crushing, and savaging. The most effective techniques include intervention to assist dystocic sows, measures to prevent and treat sow hypogalactia, good farrowing house hygiene, providing newborn piglets with a warm microenvironment, early fostering of supernumerary piglets, methods that assist small and weak piglets to breathe and obtain colostrum, and intervention to prevent deaths from crushing and savaging. The provision of nest-building material and modifications to the pen to assist the sow when lying down may also be beneficial, but the evidence is less clear. Because most deaths occur around the time of farrowing and during the first few days of life, the periparturient period is a particularly important time for management interventions intended to reduce piglet mortality. A number of procedures require a stockperson to be present during and immediately after farrowing. Second, we consider the benefits of farrowing supervision for preweaning mortality in general, focusing particularly on methods for the treatment of dystocia and programs of piglet care that combine multiple procedures. Third, we discuss the need for good stockmanship if farrowing supervision is to be effective. Stockmanship refers not only to technical skills but also to the manner in which sows are handled because this influences their fearfulness of humans. We conclude that piglet survival can be improved by a range of management procedures, many of which occur in the perinatal period and require the supervision of farrowing by trained staff. Although this incurs additional labor costs, there is some evidence that this can be economically offset by improved piglet survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- R D Kirkden
- University of Cambridge, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, UK.
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Abstract
Behavioural adaptation of farm animals to environmental changes contributes to high levels of production under a wide range of farming conditions, from highly controlled indoor systems to harsh outdoor systems. The genetic variation in livestock behaviour is considerable. Animals and genotypes with a larger behavioural capacity for adaptation may cope more readily with varying farming conditions than those with a lower capacity for adaptation. This capacity should be exploited when the aim is to use a limited number of species extensively across the world. The genetics of behavioural traits is understood to some extent, but it is seldom accounted for in breeding programmes. This review summarizes the estimates of genetic parameters for behavioural traits in cattle, pigs, poultry and fish. On the basis of the major studies performed in the last two decades, we focus the review on traits of common interest in the four species. These concern the behavioural responses to both acute and chronic stressors in the physical environment (feed, temperature, etc.) and those in the social environment (other group members, progeny, humans). The genetic strategies used to improve the behavioural capacity for adaptation of animals differ between species. There is a greater emphasis on responses to acute environmental stress in fish and birds, and on responses to chronic social stress in mammals.
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Genetic aspects regarding piglet losses and the maternal behaviour of sows. Part 2. Genetic relationship between maternal behaviour in sows and piglet mortality. Animal 2012; 2:1281-8. [PMID: 22443816 DOI: 10.1017/s1751731108002516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the study was to analyse the genetic background of different traits to characterise the maternal behaviour of sows and to evaluate the relationship to different causes of piglet losses - increasing piglet survival due to higher maternal abilities of the sow. A total of 1538 purebred litters from 943 German Landrace sows in the year 2004 were available for data analysis. Around 13 971 individually earmarked piglets were included in the analyses. Maternal abilities were characterised through the sow's reaction to the separation from her litter during the first 24 h after farrowing, and on day 21 of lactation, the reaction towards the playback of a piglet's distress call and the reaction towards an unknown noise (music). In 1220 of these litters, the sows were also scored for aggressiveness in the group when regrouped before entering the farrowing crates. To describe fertility, the number of piglets born alive, stillborn piglets, number of piglets born in total and the individual birth weight were utilised. Different causes of piglet losses were evaluated as binary traits of the dam with survival rate, different definitions for crushing by the sow, being underweight and runts. The heritability for being aggressive in the group was h2 = 0.32 and for the behaviour traits during lactation, the heritabilities ranged from h2 = 0.06 to 0.14. The genetic correlations showed that more-reactive sows had fewer piglet losses.
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Schneider JF, Rempel LA, Rohrer GA, Brown-Brandl TM. Genetic parameter estimates among scale activity score and farrowing disposition with reproductive traits in swine1,2. J Anim Sci 2011; 89:3514-21. [DOI: 10.2527/jas.2010-3510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Breeding against harmful social behaviours in pigs and chickens: State of the art and the way forward. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2011.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Baxter EM, Jarvis S, Sherwood L, Farish M, Roehe R, Lawrence AB, Edwards SA. Genetic and environmental effects on piglet survival and maternal behaviour of the farrowing sow. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2010.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Holl JW, Rohrer GA, Brown-Brandl TM. Estimates of genetic parameters among scale activity scores, growth, and fatness in pigs. J Anim Sci 2009; 88:455-9. [PMID: 19820051 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2008-1559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic parameters for scale activity score (AS) were estimated from generations 5, 6, and 7 of a randomly selected, composite population composed of Duroc, Large White, and 2 sources of Landrace (n = 2,186). At approximately 156 d of age, pigs were weighed (BW) and ultrasound backfat measurements (BF1, BF2, and BF3) were done. While pigs were in the scale, an AS was assigned, which ranged from 1 (calm) to 5 (highly excited), where 58.1, 28.5, 8.9, 4.0, and 0.5% were scored as 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively. Statistical model effects were year-week of measurement, sex, covariates of age for AS and BW or BW for BF1, BF2, and BF3, and an animal direct genetic effect. A 5-trait linear mixed model was used. Estimated heritabilities were 0.23, 0.54, 0.56, 0.52, and 0.48 for AS, BW, BF1, BF2, and BF3, respectively. Estimated genetic correlations between AS and BW, AS and BF1, AS and BF2, and AS and BF3 were -0.38, -0.11, -0.12, and -0.16 respectively. Results indicated AS had a heritable genetic component and was genetically correlated with performance traits. Estimated genetic correlations between AS and backfat measurements adjusted to a common BW were negative, as was the genetic correlation of AS with BW. Therefore, selection for more docile animals would be expected to result in fatter, faster growing pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- J W Holl
- USDA, ARS, US Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE 68933-0166, USA
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Wallenbeck A, Gustafson G, Rydhmer L. Sow performance and maternal behaviour in organic and conventional herds. ACTA AGR SCAND A-AN 2009. [DOI: 10.1080/09064700903307824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Vasdal G, Andersen IL, Pedersen LJ. Piglet use of the creep area—Effects of breeding value and farrowing environment. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2009.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Sow behaviour towards humans during standard management procedures and their relationship to piglet survival. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2009.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Gäde S, Bennewitz J, Kirchner K, Looft H, Knap P, Thaller G, Kalm E. Genetic parameters for maternal behaviour traits in sows. Livest Sci 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2007.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Loose farrowing systems: challenges and solutions. Anim Welf 2007. [DOI: 10.1017/s0962728600027111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
AbstractThe 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.
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Turner S, Lawrence A. Relationship between maternal defensive aggression, fear of handling and other maternal care traits in beef cows. Livest Sci 2007. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2006.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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