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Bortolozzo FP, Zanin GP, Ulguim RDR, Mellagi APG. Managing Reproduction in Hyperprolific Sow Herds. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:1842. [PMID: 37889779 PMCID: PMC10252095 DOI: 10.3390/ani13111842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The rearing of large litters from hyperprolific sows is a characteristic of modern genotypes. However, these sows have body and reproductive characteristics that differentiate them from the genotypes of the past decades, making it necessary to adopt different management strategies. This review describes the main care and challenges associated with the hyperprolificity of sows during the period in which replacement gilts are selected, along with gestation, parturition, lactation, and the weaning-estrus interval. It describes the challenges that these sows' piglets will face during the lactation period and includes some strategies adopted to develop these surplus piglets. In addition, it identifies areas where more research is needed to understand the reproductive management of modern genotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Pandolfo Bortolozzo
- Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Setor de Suínos, Porto Alegre 90540-000, RS, Brazil
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Palermo Mendes J, Ribeiro Caldara F, de Castro Burbarelli MF, Valentim JK, Ferreira de Brito Mandú D, Garófallo Garcia R, Correia de Lima Almeida-Paz I, Markiy Odakura A, Lourenço da Silva MI. Performance and Welfare of Sows Exposed to Auditory Environmental Enrichment in Mixed or Collective Housing Systems. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13071226. [PMID: 37048482 PMCID: PMC10093583 DOI: 10.3390/ani13071226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The research aimed to assess the effects of auditory environmental enrichment on sows in mixed housing (caged until 35 days after insemination and then collective pens) or collective housing (caged until 72 h after insemination and then collective pens). Reproductive performance, body surface and eye temperature (ET) were evaluated as sows’ welfare indicators. A sample of 56 sows between 2nd and 6th parity was submitted to the treatments from artificial insemination to weaning. The sows were assigned in a randomized block design with a 2 × 2 factorial scheme of treatments: mixed housing—control (MH-C), collective housing—control (CH-C), mixed housing—music (MH-M) and collective housing—music (CH-M). Auditory enrichment consisted of exposing sows daily throughout gestation and lactation to 6 h of classical music divided into 2 h periods. The ET of pregnant sows in collective housing was lower than that of sows in mixed housing (33.77 °C vs. 34.91 °C). Pregnant and lactating sows exposed to auditory environmental enrichment exhibited lower ET compared to those that had no access to the stimulus (pregnant 33.36 °C vs. 34.32 °C and lactating 34.21 °C vs. 34.83 °C). No housing type effect was found on the reproductive performance parameter; however, piglets from sows submitted to auditory environmental enrichment, regardless of the type of housing during gestation, were heavier at weaning (6.32 kg vs. 5.57 kg). Collective or mixed housing does not affect sows’ reproductive performance; perhaps, auditory environmental enrichment reduced stress in the gestation and lactation phases and provided greater piglet weight gain at weaning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janaina Palermo Mendes
- Animal Science Postgraduate Program, Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados (UFGD), Dourados 79804-970, MS, Brazil
| | - Fabiana Ribeiro Caldara
- Animal Science Postgraduate Program, Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados (UFGD), Dourados 79804-970, MS, Brazil
| | | | - Jean Kaique Valentim
- Animal Science Postgraduate Program, Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados (UFGD), Dourados 79804-970, MS, Brazil
| | - Daniela Ferreira de Brito Mandú
- Animal Science Postgraduate Program, Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados (UFGD), Dourados 79804-970, MS, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Garófallo Garcia
- Animal Science Postgraduate Program, Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados (UFGD), Dourados 79804-970, MS, Brazil
| | - Ibiara Correia de Lima Almeida-Paz
- Department of Animal Production, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (FMVZ), São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18610-034, SP, Brazil
| | - Agnes Markiy Odakura
- Animal Science Postgraduate Program, Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados (UFGD), Dourados 79804-970, MS, Brazil
| | - Marconi Italo Lourenço da Silva
- Department of Animal Production, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (FMVZ), São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18610-034, SP, Brazil
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Can we further reduce the time pregnant sows spend in gestation stalls? Livest Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2022.105049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Nielsen SS, Alvarez J, Bicout DJ, Calistri P, Canali E, Drewe JA, Garin‐Bastuji B, Gonzales Rojas JL, Schmidt G, Herskin M, Michel V, Miranda Chueca MÁ, Mosbach‐Schulz O, Padalino B, Roberts HC, Stahl K, Velarde A, Viltrop A, Winckler C, Edwards S, Ivanova S, Leeb C, Wechsler B, Fabris C, Lima E, Mosbach‐Schulz O, Van der Stede Y, Vitali M, Spoolder H. Welfare of pigs on farm. EFSA J 2022; 20:e07421. [PMID: 36034323 PMCID: PMC9405538 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2022.7421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
This scientific opinion focuses on the welfare of pigs on farm, and is based on literature and expert opinion. All pig categories were assessed: gilts and dry sows, farrowing and lactating sows, suckling piglets, weaners, rearing pigs and boars. The most relevant husbandry systems used in Europe are described. For each system, highly relevant welfare consequences were identified, as well as related animal-based measures (ABMs), and hazards leading to the welfare consequences. Moreover, measures to prevent or correct the hazards and/or mitigate the welfare consequences are recommended. Recommendations are also provided on quantitative or qualitative criteria to answer specific questions on the welfare of pigs related to tail biting and related to the European Citizen's Initiative 'End the Cage Age'. For example, the AHAW Panel recommends how to mitigate group stress when dry sows and gilts are grouped immediately after weaning or in early pregnancy. Results of a comparative qualitative assessment suggested that long-stemmed or long-cut straw, hay or haylage is the most suitable material for nest-building. A period of time will be needed for staff and animals to adapt to housing lactating sows and their piglets in farrowing pens (as opposed to crates) before achieving stable welfare outcomes. The panel recommends a minimum available space to the lactating sow to ensure piglet welfare (measured by live-born piglet mortality). Among the main risk factors for tail biting are space allowance, types of flooring, air quality, health status and diet composition, while weaning age was not associated directly with tail biting in later life. The relationship between the availability of space and growth rate, lying behaviour and tail biting in rearing pigs is quantified and presented. Finally, the panel suggests a set of ABMs to use at slaughter for monitoring on-farm welfare of cull sows and rearing pigs.
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