Floor heating at farrowing in pens for loose-housed sows

TY - JOUR

T1 - Floor heating at farrowing in pens for loose-housed sows

AU - Brandt, P.

AU - Moustsen, V.A.

AU - Nielsen, M.B.F.

AU - Kristensen, Anders Ringgaard

PY - 2012/1

Y1 - 2012/1

N2 - The effects of floor heating at parturition on sow and piglet behaviour in pens were examined in a Danish production herd. A total of 50 gilts and sows were split into two groups; one (n = 25) experienced no treatment; one (n = 25) was exposed to floor heating in the area of the sow around parturition. The sows and piglets were recorded on video 24 h a day for behavioural analyses. Floor heating tended to improve piglet weight at weaning (P=0.05) but did not affect average daily gain. Piglets in pens with floor heating were more often in proximity of the sow at posture changes than piglets from pens without floor heating on day one postpartum (P=0.01). Floor heating did not affect duration of parturition or any of the recordings of sow behaviour significantly.

AB - The effects of floor heating at parturition on sow and piglet behaviour in pens were examined in a Danish production herd. A total of 50 gilts and sows were split into two groups; one (n = 25) experienced no treatment; one (n = 25) was exposed to floor heating in the area of the sow around parturition. The sows and piglets were recorded on video 24 h a day for behavioural analyses. Floor heating tended to improve piglet weight at weaning (P=0.05) but did not affect average daily gain. Piglets in pens with floor heating were more often in proximity of the sow at posture changes than piglets from pens without floor heating on day one postpartum (P=0.01). Floor heating did not affect duration of parturition or any of the recordings of sow behaviour significantly.

U2 - 10.1016/j.livsci.2011.07.020

DO - 10.1016/j.livsci.2011.07.020

M3 - Journal article

SN - 1871-1413

VL - 143

SP - 1

EP - 4

JO - Livestock Science

JF - Livestock Science

IS - 1

ER -